By the time I got home, the sky had begun to soften into late-afternoon gold as the light spilled through the tall windows, stretching shadows across the marble floor and the house itself felt quieter than usual as if it, too, sensed Leon’s mood and was holding its breath.
I went straight to his study and knocked once again and again.
The door opened abruptly, and Leon filled the frame while his shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, tie loosened and hanging crookedly, hair slightly disheveled just like when he came back.
“What is it?” His voice was controlled but I could hear the strain underneath.
“We need to go somewhere,” I said calmly, like this wasn’t a request.
“I’m busy.”
“I know.”
He shifted his weight and reached for the door, already starting to close it.
I lifted my c
