After Adrian and Raya left the Blake mansion hand in hand, the heavy doors closed behind them with a finality that echoed long after they were gone.
The night air outside felt cooler than it should have, brushing against Raya's skin as if reminding her that whatever shield she had worn inside that house was gone now.
They reached the car parked by the driveway.
The moment they stepped out of the mansion's range, Adrian released Raya's hand.
He didn't say a word.
He walked ahead, his long strides deliberate, controlled. Stephen was already there, opening the back door for him. Adrian slipped into the car without a glance back, his attention fully withdrawn, his presence suddenly distant.
Raya stood where she was for half a second longer than necessary.
She exhaled quietly.
Before Stephen could move to open the other door, Raya circled the car herself and slid in beside Adrian, settling into the seat with a controlled motion, as if nothing about the situation bothered her.
