[Reid Mansion]
The mansion had eased into a quieter version of itself.
Most of the guests had left, the last echoes of laughter dissolving into low murmurs and distant footsteps. The house felt calmer now, as if it, too, had exhaled after holding its breath all day.
Evelyn walked beside Alexander toward the staircase with her fingers loosely entwined with his.
She wasn't overwhelmed, just aware. Aware that this was the first moment since the ceremony where no one needed anything from them.
She slowed slightly.
Alexander noticed at once.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "Yeah, just processing."
He smiled faintly, understanding without needing more.
They stood there for a beat, neither of them rushing upstairs, neither of them saying what both were thinking.
Then Alexander shifted, turning her gently in the opposite direction.
"Come with me," he said.
She blinked. "Where?"
He only squeezed her hand once, reassuring. "Trust me."
