After everything that had happened, the Morrigans family was no longer as loud or confident as before. The air around them felt thin, like sothing had been torn open and never properly closed.
The mont Harris appeared, Vivian’s composure cracked. She rushed forward, panic written all over her face.
Hill looked just as confused. His brows drew together as he spoke sharply, "There must be so mistake. My daughter has never had any contact with Nolan. Not even once."
Vivian nodded quickly, grasping at that thought. "Exactly. You said it was an accident before. How did it suddenly turn into murder?"
Harris didn’t argue. His voice stayed calm, firm, the kind that didn’t need to be loud to carry weight.
"We need Ms. Ashbourne to cooperate with the investigation before we can draw conclusions. Ms. Ashbourne, please co with us."
Lincy’s face drained of color.
She spun toward Grant, her voice shaking. "Dad, I’ve been frad! I didn’t kill anyone! I don’t even know Nolan!"
Her words echoed uselessly.
Harris didn’t hesitate. He escorted her away without giving her another chance to speak.
Lincy had probably imagined herself standing in the spotlight tonight admired, envied, untouchable.
Instead, she was dragged straight into darkness.
Grant’s carefully planned banquet collapsed into farce. For a brief second, I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
But this was the result of his own choices his betrayal, his blind indulgence, the way he raised Lincy without limits or consequence.
As Lincy was taken away, Camilla moved to support Vivian, whose face had gone pale.
Vivian asked shakily, "Captain Tucker... are you saying my son didn’t die in an accident?"
Camilla’s voice was gentle, controlled. "Mom, we don’t know yet. Let’s wait for the results."
Two people from completely different worlds had collided.
And now both families were lost in the wreckage.
The banquet couldn’t continue.
As Camilla passed by , her eyes flicked toward mine sharp, warning.
I lowered my gaze at once, shrinking back, letting my shoulders tremble slightly.
I wanted her to believe I was still afraid.
Still haunted by the mory of the blade she once pressed against .
Camilla led Vivian away.
I wanted to stay behind with my mom, but Lewis received a call from Jeffrey, urging us back to the Hale Residence.
"Go with your husband," Mom said softly. "You’re married now. Staying here too long will only stir gossip."
"If anything happens, call ," I said quickly. "I can be here in twenty minutes."
She smiled faintly. "I’ll be fine. There are people at ho. It’s still early. Don’t worry."
"I’ll co see you tomorrow."
To , she still felt like soone who needed protecting.
Sotis I forget she’s barely older than I was before everything ended last ti. More like an older sister than a mother.
Grant helped her into the car, his face heavy with worry though whether it was for her or for Lincy, I couldn’t tell.
I got into the car beside Lewis. His hand closed around mine at once, warm and steady.
"She’ll be okay," he said quietly. "There are people watching over her."
"Mm."
I looked at him. "What about Lincy? What will happen to her?"
"If the evidence proves she hired soone to kill," he replied evenly, "no lawyer will save her. She’ll serve years. If the charge is severe, it could be much worse."
"She deserves it," I said, my voice tight. "Riley was driven to death by her."
"Don’t let soone like that live in your head," he said gently, resting his hand on my shoulder. "It’s not worth it."
I placed my hand over his. "It’s strange... after all these years, we still move in sync."
A faint smile touched his lips. "How could I forget sothing carved into ?"
Then he glanced at . "But you have you been practicing all this ti?"
I nodded, embarrassed. "Just a little. I wouldn’t be here without you. But..."
I hesitated. "When you play... what do you think about?"
He leaned in slowly and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
"You."
The car stopped at the Hale Residence.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, my ears burning.
He draped his coat over my shoulders without a word.
Wrapped in warmth, I wheeled him inside back into the place where our bond now truly belonged.
Jeffrey was sitting on the living room couch when we arrived.
Julian stood beside him, silent, his posture stiff, like he was holding sothing back.
The mont I saw them, my chest tightened.
"Hi... Jeffrey," I said softly.
He looked up at Lewis and . His gaze was calm, his voice steady.
"You’re back."
"Mm."
"The New Year is almost here," he continued. "There’s a lot to handle within the Hale household. I know your mother is expecting, but now that you’re part of this family, your attention should still remain here."
I nodded. "I understand."
"It’s late. Go rest."
As I turned to leave, I felt Julian’s eyes on . He looked like he wanted to speak, but in the end, he stayed silent.
Inside the elevator, Lewis leaned closer and spoke in a low voice, ant only for .
"He’s getting older. With the New Year coming, he probably just wants everyone close. Don’t read too much into it."
"I won’t," I said.
Back in our room, I called my mom.
She told Grant had dropped her off and left imdiately likely rushing off to figure out how to deal with Lincy. I reminded her to stay out of it, to focus on herself and the baby.
There was nothing more for us to do now.
Lincy had made her own choices.
After I hung up, I stood there, unsure whether I should sleep in the guest room or the master bedroom.
Then I realized Lewis wasn’t there.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I already knew where he’d gone.
Even though the villa was warm, I wrapped a shawl around my shoulders and padded barefoot toward the attic, slippers barely making a sound against the floor.
Back then, Lewis’s standing in the Hale household had been so low that Jeffrey had barely acknowledged him. That was why he had been given the attic room high up, far away, quiet.
The space was large, but it always felt lonely.
As I climbed the stairs, holding the railing, a familiar lody drifted down to .
It was the sa piece we had played earlier.
Nostalgia must have pulled him back here.
For a mont, it felt like ti had folded in on itself. I could almost see my younger self, lifting my skirt with one hand as I pushed open the door with the other.
The figure at the piano ca into view.
His back was broader now, steadier, shaped by years and responsibility. Quietly, I closed the door behind and walked over.
I sat beside him.
There was already space for , as if he had known I would co.
The lody filled the room again, carrying back to our first duet all those years ago. Without thinking, my fingers joined his on the keys.
Our rhythm t naturally, effortlessly.
When the final note faded, his hand rested over mine.
We looked at each other.
"Elena," he said softly.
The word settled deep in my chest.
Thinking about the kiss we hadn’t finished in the car, I shifted forward and straddled his lap, one leg on each side.
It was strange his body carried strength that didn’t fade, a solid presence that made feel safe and unsteady all at once.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and asked, my voice barely above a whisper,
"Can I... kiss you?"
He didn’t wait for to finish.
Lewis leaned in and kissed , firm and sure, like he’d already decided long ago. My back brushed the piano keys, a few soft notes scattering into the air as his arm circled my waist, the other hand lacing his fingers with mine.
I arched instinctively, pressing another accidental chord from the piano, the sound mixing with his quiet breath.
"Darling," he murmured against my skin, his voice low and steady, carrying a promise more than a question.
"Do you want to...?"
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