The silence in the castle that night was deafening. Evelyn’s chambers were eerily quiet as Adrian stood at the door, staring at the darkened room. His hand trembled against the cold wood, the weight of everything pressing down on him. His heart ached in ways he couldn’t describe, and Elara’s innocent words haunted him I don’t like it when you and Mommy are sad. It makes me sad too.
He had promised Evelyn that he would protect her heart, but now he had done the very thing he vowed never to do.
He pushed open the door to their room and stepped in.
Evelyn was sitting at the edge of the bed, her face hidden in her hands, her shoulders shaking with the quiet sobs she was trying to suppress.
Adrian closed the door behind him, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He stood there for a moment, u
