The morning after the banquet, the Sterling estate was unusually quiet. Not tense quiet. Just… tired. The good kind. The gardens had been cleared of lights and decorations, leaving everything clean and peaceful again. Cameron lay in bed, staring at the, absently turning his wrist. The watch still felt strange… heavy, solid and real.
He replayed the night in pieces. The applause. His father blinking back tears. His mother glowing like she'd won the world. Anna nearly cracking his ribs with a hug.
And Aaron, a steady presence. Always somewhere nearby. Watching.
A soft knock came at his door.
Christopher came in with a tray of coffee and pastries. "Happy day-after-your-birthday," he said. "You survived."
Cameron sat up, accepting the coffee gratefully. "Thanks. I barely survived. But it was… amazing."
