Vivienne's POV

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The morning had been quiet in the way that felt almost too good to be true.

Liam was in the garden with one of the staff, chasing something small and fast along the grass, his laugh carrying all the way through the open window into the kitchen where I stood finishing my second cup of coffee. I watched him for a moment as he threw his whole body into everything he did, and something in my chest loosened just looking at him.

I rinsed my cup, dried my hands, and then picked ...