Evelyn sat opposite Soren in his living room, the soft hum of the chandelier filling the silence that stretched between them. The evening had a strange stillness — one that seemed to thicken the air around them. The conversation had lingered between strategies and plans, but her mind refused to let go of one lingering thought. Something he’d said before… something that didn’t make sense.

She looked at him — really looked this time. His sharp features, calm eyes that hid storms, and ...