Estelle didn't say anything else. She simply nodded, lowering her gaze as her fingers unconsciously pinched her palm.
"I'll think about it" she murmured.
"Good" Dorian smiled faintly.
He had expected some resistance. Perhaps a little hesitation or suspicion, but she had agreed more easily than he thought. A small victory curled in his chest, though he hid it well behind his calm expression.
—
The sun had begun to set slowly, painting the sky in soft streaks of gold and tangerine. Blaise hadn't called. He had not even sent a single message. Estelle hadn't noticed at first; the hours with Dorian had passed in ease. He had made sure she never felt alone.
Even during his three-hour video call meeting, he would taken short breaks just to check on her, asking if she was hungry, cold, or bored. It was strange, really. No one had ever done that for her. Even when things were still good between her and Blaise, he never did half of what Dorian did.
