The manor was silent.
Outside the window, rain kissed the glass in a gentle rhythm, and the world seemed to exhale after a long day of tension. The soft golden glow of the bedside lamps lit the room in warmth, casting shadows that flickered against the high walls of Ethan and Adrian's bedroom.
Adrian sat curled at the edge of the bed, his knees tucked beneath him, flipping through a book he hadn't really been reading. His silver eyes moved across the page, but his thoughts were elsewhere — tangled in memories of long days, children's laughter, and the lingering pressure of responsibility.
Then the door creaked open.
Ethan stepped in, his silhouette broad against the dim hallway light, his dark eyes softening when they landed on Adrian. He shut the door gently, as though he didn't want to disturb the quiet sanctuary that had settled between them.
"You're still awake," Ethan said, voice low and husky.
Adrian looked up and smiled faintly. "Couldn't sleep. Too much in my head."
