Sebastian
The estate courtyard felt unreal. Too quiet. Too still. Even the wind seemed to hesitate at the gates, as if the world itself was waiting for permission to breathe again.
My boots struck the stone slowly. Each step echoed with a strange weight, like the past walking beside me. After the pursuit, after the fear, after the long uncertainty — this moment felt fragile. Like glass. Like something that might vanish if I reached too quickly.
Clara did not wait.
The instant the inner hall came into view, she broke into a run.
And then I saw her.
Vivian stood beneath the grand archway, alone. Small against the towering pillars. Her shoulders trembled faintly, her fingers clasped together as if holding herself in place. The silver bracelet on her wrist caught the light, glimmering softly like a signal that had guided me here.
She saw me.
Her breath caught.
But she did not move forward.
