Back at the Thompson Mansion, the atmosphere appeared calm, almost deceptively so, yet Julie's heart refused to settle into that quiet.
She stirred slowly on the bed, her lashes fluttering open as soft daylight filtered through the curtains and painted faint patterns across the ceiling.
For a brief moment, she simply lay there, staring upward as if trying to gather herself from sleep.
Then she turned slightly, her gaze instinctively drifting to the empty space beside her.
"Where are you, Roman…" she murmured, her voice soft with a faint pout that did not quite hide the disappointment underneath.
Pushing herself upright, she swept her hair back with one hand and glanced around the room. The silence felt heavier than usual, stretching too far, lingering too long.
Her eyes moved toward the bedside table.
"Maybe he's still in a meeting," she said quietly, as though the explanation could steady something unsettled within her.
