The aftermath of the dinner in Mayfair had left the atmosphere at Blackwood Manor colder than a tomb. Jace had retreated into a shell of frozen silence, his interactions with Hazel limited to brisk, one-word answers regarding the company or Jamal’s schedule. He moved through the house like a ghost, avoiding any room where Hazel lingered, as if her very presence was a reminder of the "betrayal" he felt for enjoying a single moment of her company.
Hazel, for her part, had stopped crying. The tears had been replaced by a weary, resilient strength. She continued to make breakfast, she continued to manage the house, and she continued to be the most efficient PA Fidel Global had ever seen. She was the perfect wife on paper and the perfect employee in practice, but inside, she was bracing for th
