Sleep refused to come.
Richard lay on his bed with his eyes fixed on the ceiling, listening to the quiet ticking of the clock beside him.
Every time he closed his eyes, he found himself standing outside Miranda's bedroom door again.
"Whether you like it or not..."
"You are marrying Adrian."
The words echoed through his mind with uncomfortable clarity.
He slowly sat up.
A glance at the bedside clock told him it was well past midnight, yet the house remained unusually still.
His wife had already fallen asleep.
Or at least she had pretended to.
Richard quietly slipped out of bed.
He didn't bother turning on the lights.
The soft glow from the hallway lamps was enough as he wandered through the silent house.
For years, these late-night walks had helped him clear his thoughts after difficult business meetings.
Tonight...
Business was the last thing on his mind.
He found himself stopping in front of the large family portrait hanging along the upstairs hallway.
