Thaddeus said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line, but the stillness of his posture and the faint tension in his jaw betrayed that the exchange with Kayden hadn't gone unnoticed.
His mind was quietly replaying the moments, the closeness, the way Kayden had trusted him, it all lingered like an echo he couldn't shake.
After Kayden left, Ryland leaned back slightly in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You know why I came to the city?" he asked casually. "I came for work, of course, but after I was done, I decided to stay back yesterday and give you both a little surprise visit." His eyes flicked toward Thaddeus, observing him carefully. "And I have to say… I'm glad things turned out exactly the way I wanted."
Thaddeus nodded, giving only a faint acknowledgment, but the corner of his eye tracked Ryland's every movement. After a moment, Ryland excused himself. "Let's step outside for a moment, Thad. I need to discuss something with you privately," he said.
