Chapter 220: The Gathering Storm
The afternoon sun slanted through the office windows, spilling golden light across the piles of parchment on Orion's desk. Despite the warmth it carried, the light only reminded him of how long he'd been sitting there—how much of the day had slipped through his fingers while he battled paperwork that seemed to multiply each time he blinked.
He sighed and leaned back in his chair, rolling his shoulders. He'd taken a short break earlier, bringing food to Sophia's house, only to find her still sound asleep. He hadn't wanted to wake her. There was something peaceful about the way she slept, her brow finally relaxed, her breathing even. For a moment, he had just stood there, the faint crackle from her hearth echoing in the quiet. Then, he'd set the bowl of porridge on her table and slipped out silently, closing the door behind him.
That had been hours ago.
Now, he was buried once again beneath the mountain of reports that never seemed to end.
