Nathan nodded, gesturing toward the door. “Let’s sit in the study.”

But George didn’t move. Instead, he closed his eyes, drawing in a slow breath as if the air itself carried the weight of the past.

“Let her go, Nathan,” George said, his voice low but steady.

Nathan paused, his jaw tightening as he turned back to face George fully, the silence between them deepening as the faint creak of the chandelier echoed in the room.

George opened his eyes, meeting Nathan’s gaze with ...