My beloved is finally back, and the sun is high in the sky, casting warmth over the estate. I stand in the courtyard, watching as servants haul boxes up to our room, each one carefully labeled, no doubt filled with treasures he's brought home for us. My eyes drift to him as he scoops up Mimi, showering her with kisses until her giggles echo through the air.
And then it happens again—that inexplicable tug in my chest, the one I feel every time I see them together. My heart stirs, and for a moment, I forget the world exists outside of this tiny, perfect family.
I can't believe this is my life. Sometimes, it feels like I'm living someone else's dream. I don't even realize I'm smiling until I notice Celia standing nearby, watching me. Our eyes meet, and there's a flicker of something in her gaze—something that makes my smile falter just a little.
She walks toward me, her expression unreadable. When she finally reaches me, she speaks softly. "Thorne? A word."
