Cole arrived home much later.
He loosened his tie, rolling his neck once, twice, as if that could ease the pressure that had been building there for hours.
Amelia was waiting for him in the sitting room.
She greeted him. Her posture was rigid, back straight and her hands clasped together. Cole noticed it instantly. He slowed his steps.
"What happened?" he asked, already bracing himself.
Amelia lifted her eyes to him. "Sylvie came to see me."
Cole sighed and rubbed at his temple with two fingers.
"She thinks she’s found a way out," Amelia continued with her tone tight. "She thinks she can avoid the marriage altogether."
Amelia then explained what happened earlier in the day to Cole.
Cole exhaled, the sound weary rather than surprised. He lowered himself into a chair across from her
