Later, Elize left the library first.
Not abruptly.
Not emotionally.
Just at the precise moment where silence began feeling heavier than conversation itself.
The air inside the room had changed during the last few minutes with Luca. Not visibly. Not dramatically. But enough for her to recognize the shift before it became dangerous.
Because the silence between them was no longer empty space.
It was becoming awareness.
And awareness inside the estate always carried consequence.
The library doors remained open behind her as she stepped into the corridor.
That alone felt unusual now.
Luca rarely left anything open unintentionally.
Especially not access.
Especially not himself.
The corridor lights dimmed softly overhead as she walked, reacting to movement with smooth precision. Ever
