Arianne returned home with Gio right on time that evening. However, it was obvious to Franz that something might have happened during her visit with the Conway family. She was unusually silent this time; her responses to the twins' questions were short, and when dinner ended, she left the dining table and went to her study without a word.
Franz guided the twins through their nighttime routine and tucked them into bed after a short playtime in their room, pulling the blankets up to their chins. He was relieved the children did not notice Arianne's mood and assumed she came home tired instead.
He stepped out to the garden to clear his mind before calling it a day, but found Aunt Estella already seated on the wooden bench near the stone path.
He blinked and was about to turn back inside when the elderly woman called to him.
"Tired?" she asked. "It must have been hard for you to play with the twins the entire day."
