Damian’s POV

The sound of the gates closing echoed faintly through the mansion, carried by the open windows and the cool morning air. Damian stood in his bedroom, jacket already discarded on the chair, sleeves rolled up, staring at nothing in particular. He hadn’t watched Evelyn leave, he hadn’t followed her down the stairs, he hadn’t stood by a window or lingered in the hallway.

He told himself it was because he didn’t need to, but the truth was simpler and harder to admit. He ...