He pulled Tracy's slender frame into an embrace, heart swelling with warmth.
"Hush now, stop crying—you'll ruin your pretty face," he coaxed, his voice softening just like when he'd comforted her as a child.
"I asked Evelyn to make your favorite dishes. Go change first, hm? Later we'll have a proper family dinner—that's all the happiness I need."
"Okay," Tracy hiccuped, wiping her nose.
Evelyn guided her from the study toward the bedroom. "Young miss," the housekeeper finally ventured, hands clasped nervously.
Tracy smiled at the familiar address. "Auntie Evelyn."
"You've suffered so much these years. To me, you'll always be the Pages' only daughter."
Evelyn had served the household since Tracy's infancy—her snow-white hair proof that time played no favorites, whether for masters or
