The gathering had finally ended. Guests drifted away, their whispers fading into the night, leaving only the cousins and the quiet hum of the estate. Amara was safe upstairs, surrounded by Selene and the others.
But downstairs, in the cold stone basement, Julian was not free.
Adrian and Aiden walked side by side, their footsteps echoing against the walls as they descended. The air grew heavier with each step, the silence broken only by the faint clink of keys and the muffled sound of Julian pacing behind the locked door.
When the guards opened the way, Julian spun toward them, his face twisted with anger. "You can't keep me here! I did nothing wrong!"
Adrian stepped forward, his presence commanding, his voice calm but sharp. "You forced her. You ignored her words. That is wrong."
Julian's fists clenched. "I loved her! Everything I did was for her!"
Aiden's gaze hardened. He didn't raise his voice, but his words cut deep. "Love doesn't cage someone, Julian. It doesn't break them."
Julian's eyes darted between them, fury and desperation colliding. He tried to step closer, but the guards held him back.
Adrian leaned in slightly, his tone low, steady, dangerous in its calm. "You will stay here until we decide what comes next. Tonight, you lost her. And you lost our respect."
Julian's breath came fast, his chest heaving, but he had no answer. The basement swallowed his rage, leaving only silence.
Adrian turned to Aiden, his voice quiet but firm. "Keep him here. We'll deal with him after."
Aiden nodded once. The decision was made.
As they left the basement, the heavy door closing behind them, Julian's muffled shouts echoed faintly — but neither Adrian nor Aiden looked back.
Later that night, when the estate had gone quiet and the cousins had retreated to their rooms, Adrian sat alone in his study. The clock struck midnight, its chime echoing softly through the halls.
He picked up his phone, hesitated for a moment, then typed a message.
Adrian:Are you okay?
Upstairs, Amara lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed softly on the nightstand. When she saw his name, her heart skipped.
She opened the message, her lips trembling into the faintest smile.
Amara:I'm better… thanks to you.
Adrian leaned back, exhaling slowly. For the first time that night, he allowed himself to feel relief.
And in the quiet of midnight, their words bridged the distance — a silent promise that she wasn't alone.