Chapter 14 The Unraveling Threads

Sophia stepped into Blackwood Manor, the warmth of her visit to her parents lingering in her heart. Yet as the grand doors closed behind them, she couldn’t ignore the shift in Adrian’s demeanor. The tenderness he’d shown during their time with her family seemed to retreat behind his usual stoicism. Adrian moved ahead of her, his steps purposeful as they echoed against the marble floor. He paused at the base of the grand staircase, glancing back at her. “Sophia,” he said, his voice measured. “There’s something I need to attend to in my study. I won’t keep you long.”