The week following my visit to Luke's estate passed in a blur of conflicting emotions and careful evasions. I found myself constantly on edge, worried that my parents might press for more details about my time with Luke. Thankfully, they seemed to have accepted my explanations for now, though I could still see the concern in their eyes whenever the subject came up.
It was on a sunny Tuesday morning that our quiet routine was interrupted by an unexpected arrival. I was in the kitchen, helping my mother prepare lunch, when we heard the sound of a carriage approaching.
"Who could that be?" my mother wondered aloud, wiping her hands on her apron as she moved towards the window.
I joined her, peering out onto the street. To my surprise, I saw a familiar figure stepping down from the carriage
