Victor's POV
The wheels of my chair made soft sounds against the marble as Steve pushed me through the front entrance. I'd spent the entire flight rehearsing this moment, imagining her face when she saw me a day early, wondering if she'd be happy or simply surprised or—God help me—indifferent.
But nothing could have prepared me for the reality.
Emily appeared in the foyer like she'd been summoned by the sound of the door, and the sight of her stopped whatever careful greeting I'd prepared. She wore a simple pink flowery dress, her hair loose around her shoulders, and there was something in her expression...relief, maybe, or gladness, that made my chest constrict painfully.
"Victor!" Her voice carried genuine warmth. "You're home early. How was your trip?"
"Productive," I managed, my throat suddenly tight. "The meetings wrapped up faster than expected. I thought... I wanted to surprise everyone."
