TER

CLE'S

L

an f

obody in the ro

s because we didn't know what had caus

ing with Clara and Vivienne. Now, he stoo

lf together. "My uncle's wife," he repea

Elena and I were ma

d at Victor.

Victor

that made me wonder if he was str

getting married." Adrian bl

ll shrug. "It hap

a quiet breat

a smile. "You were away, Ad

mention that he was gett

. "You were busy

at her. "I stil

ou would have answer

cept Adrian, who si

a closeness between them that came

ck to me. "I apologise. I don'

not," I

's nice to mee

o." I smiled and his expr

s shoulder. "You must be tired. Six

rian nodded

ul?" Victor asked with

ly." Adri

about the business Adrian had

istened

ant matters for the family, although he di

nd before you start talking about bus

ion changed slig

Yes dinner, or ar

because I didn't know if t

. "I am actua

Vivienne

laughed

later, we were done eating so

one and stepped slight

in his conversation, but the room was quiet en

rotective. "Just stay where you are, okay

entleness in how he said it, like he was

onsible for them, and he was freaking te

came back and Vivienne caught t

ed face on," she said,

back of his neck

. "You always say that

Adrian. "Some

ack home is going through a rough patch. I'm trying to he

sual tone made me feel strangely invested. It shouldn't have, I

ly no reason for i

ts better," I

curved faintly.

. For a brief moment, ne

ng about the conversation that had s

e than he let on, someone counting on him even from far away, a vers

aside. Victor calle

ng room, Clara and Vivienn

a said. "You can't really

d. " But it doesn't

exactly," Vivienne sa

Adrian sa

vienne sighed dramatica

d quietly as the conversation moved on, t

least, I thought he did, and for some reason, I found

things to worry about. My family was finally free from debt, I had

ryone began leavi

nt, helping Clara gather a

irection, our eyes met. Neither of us spoke, he simply gave me a small, polite s

ar, maybe because his sudden arrival had changed the rhythm of the entire household, or maybe becaus

or's nephew, and besides, he probably had other things in mind a

at was what