Charlotte spent the night in the guest room and, for once, slept soundly.

It wasnt until breakfast the next morning that she saw Julian seated at the dining table. He looked uncharacteristically tiredhis usually pristine, handsome face betraying faint traces of fatigue.

Chloe brought out breakfast, expecting Charlotte, as always, to reach out and help her. But today, Charlotte stayed motionless, indifferent, and it gave Chloe pause.

The dynamic between ...