Three days later...
Liora was finally back at work.
The fever was gone.
Her strength had returned.
But something had changed.
Every time she looked at Caelan...
She remembered waking in the middle of the night to find him sitting beside her bed.
Every time he looked at her...
He remembered her sleepy voice whispering,
**"Don't leave."**
Neither of them spoke about it.
Yet neither of them forgot.
---
That Friday evening...
Ashford Manor buzzed with quiet activity.
Mara entered the sitting room carrying another invitation.
"The Harrington Charity Ball begins in two hours."
Liora looked up from her sketchbook.
"Another gala?"
Caelan sighed.
"I'm afraid so."
She smiled.
"You sound thrilled."
"I'd rather spend the evening in the library."
"I know."
She closed her notebo
