The castle felt unusually alive that night. The servants stood in neat lines along the main hall, bowing respectfully as heavy, steady footsteps echoed closer. Everyone knew exactly who had arrived.
Jay was finally home.
The front doors swung open, letting in a gust of cold air along with the silhouette of a tall man wrapped in a thick black coat dusted with snowflakes. Jay pulled off his gloves, and his eyes immediately swept across the hall, searching for one person only.
Liv.
And Liv, who had just stepped out of the sitting room with a cup of warm tea in her hands, froze where she stood. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.
"Jay...?" she whispered, unsure if she was dreaming.
Jay stared at her without blinking. There was longing in his gaze, relief, and something deeper that was difficult to explain. The servants hurriedly bowed even lower.
"Welcome back, Your Grace!"
Jay did not respond. He did not even look at them. His entire focus was on Liv.
