The soft hum of music floated through the new mansion as the night wind rustled the curtains. Marion sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone, occasionally glancing toward the hallway.

Aliyah had been unusually quiet since dinner. Not cold. Not angry. Just… distant.

Finally, he heard her soft footsteps approaching.

“Can we talk?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm.

He immediately set his phone aside and sat up straighter. “Of course.”

She sat across from him, eyes lowered ...