It was late at night when Micah and his grandmother arrived at the villa. Stars freckled the sky above the coastal city, and streetlights threw a hazy glow through the humid air. A warm breeze brushed their skin, bringing the taste of salt to their lips.
Even though Zhou Ruyan was the one in frail health, Micah was the one who was exhausted. These past few days, he had been constantly under stress, from meeting Silas and Aidan to encountering a bloodied Clyde; all of them had frayed him. The lack of sleep had not helped him either, leaving him with nothing but black lines under his eyes and sluggish reflexes.
The old butler opened the gates before they reached the villa, his silhouette straight and formal. The front door creaked open, and he stepped forward with a respectful smile. "Old Madam, it's a pleasure to see you again," he said, voice courteous.
"Yes. It's been a long time." Zhou Ruyan replied with a tired smile.
