The mansion felt different the next morning.
Not quiet.
Not peaceful.
Just… waiting.
Noah stood alone in the kitchen, staring at the coffee machine like it had personally offended him.
It had been a long night.
Not the kind filled with noise or chaos—
But the kind where sleep never really came.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Victor's face.
That calm smile.
Those words.
Three days.
Noah ran a hand through his hair slowly.
"…three days."
It sounded shorter every time he said it.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
Aiden.
Noah didn't need to turn to know.
"You didn't sleep."
Noah picked up a mug.
"You did?"
Aiden leaned against the counter.
"Barely."
Noah finally looked at him.
Aiden looked tired too.
But there was something else in his eyes.
Something sharper.
Determined.
Noah exhaled quietly.
"You should rest more."
Aiden rolled his eyes.
"Don't start."
Noah almost smiled.
Almost.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Aiden said,
