When Juliana finally led Raya back to the living room, the atmosphere had shifted.
Not dramatically, no raised voices, no visible tension, but something subtle, almost imperceptible, had changed in the air. The warmth from earlier had thinned, replaced by a quiet alertness Raya couldn't shake off.
Adrian stood a short distance away, his back partially turned to them, a phone pressed to his ear.
His voice was low.
Controlled.
Whatever he was discussing, it wasn't meant for anyone else to hear.
Raya slowed her steps unconsciously. She watched him as he spoke, his posture straight, one hand tucked into his pocket, brows faintly drawn together. He looked exactly like himself... cold, distant, authoritative.
A safe place.
She didn't realize how tightly her chest had been wound until the simple sight of him loosened something inside her.
Juliana stopped beside her, smoothing her expression before looking toward her husband.
Hector noticed them first.
