Nathaniel Hawthorne's face filled the screen, older than he remembered, more haggard. The man was clearly grieving, dark circles under his eyes, his hair more disheveled than it had been in person. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and had likely not eaten in more "This is for my dearest Catherine," Nathaniel began, his voice carrying a note of something almost like reverence. "I'm recording this because I can't trust my memory anymore. I can't trust my mind. The details are starting to blur, and I need to preserve them. I need to remember her."Noah leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the screen."It started when she reached out to me," Nathaniel continued, his voice carrying a note of something almost like wonder. "After years of silence, years of trying and failing to get in contact with her, she called me. She said she needed my help. She said she needed to understand something."The old man paused, his eyes growing distant. "I can't tell you how good it felt to be needed by

Chantel retracted her hand slowly and allowed it to be placed beside her side once more.She felt cold all of a sudden. Hollow." I see.”Shehe allowed her eyes to drop to her plate, the eggs that had seemed so perfect moments ago now appearing cold and unappetizing. The morning light that had felt so warm and hopeful now seemed harsh, revealing every flaw, every bruise, every unspoken word that hung between them.Rebecca looked so guilty.It was written in the way she held herself, the way her shoulders hunched forward, the way her eyes couldn't quite meet Chantel's. Chantel nodded sharply, even as her throat got tight, gesturing to the food laid between them."Eat up. It would be a shame to let the food go cold." She said neutrally.Neither of them said anything as they tucked into the food that didn't seem so appetizing anymore. The silence was heavy, oppressive, the kind of silence that felt like a physical weight pressing down on them. The clink of forks against plates was unna

The convoy car was waiting at the curb, sleek and black, its engine idling with a low, throaty hum. A uniformed driver stood by the rear door, his posture perfect, his face impassive.Chantel had called them, as she wasn't really in the mood to drive today.He opened the door as Chantel approached, his movements precise and very non intrusive.Chantel slid into the back seat, her movements sharp and jerky with barely contained fury. She grabbed the seatbelt and yanked it across her body, the metal buckle clicking into place with a harsh, decisive sound. The driver closed the door and walked around to the front, his footsteps silent on the pavement."Take me to the office," Chantel ordered, her voice clipped and cold. "And don't make small talk."The driver nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The car pulled away from the curb, merging into the flow of traffic with smooth, practiced ease. The city blurred past the windows, a kaleidoscope of buildings and streets and anonymous fa

Lucian raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "This sounds serious.""It's about Evelyn." Noah's voice was carefully neutral. "I want to do something for her. Something personal. I need to know what she likes."Lucian's expression shifted, the amusement fading into an expression of exasperation. "MY cousin? That's what you called me for? That's... Anticlimactic sir."Noah just gave him a tired stare."Just answer the question."Lucian studied him for a moment, then shrugged, seemingly unbothered once more. "Well, she likes classic things. Old movies, vintage jewelry, handwritten letters. She's a romantic, even if she pretends not to be. She hates grand gestures, prefers something thoughtful and personal."Noah absorbed this, filing the information away. "And what does she hate?""Insincerity and being patronized. Anyone who thinks she needs to be protected from the world." Lucian's voice was dry as he listed them off. "She's been underestimated her whole life, a

Feeling his throat tighten at her unabashed afternoon, he stepped closer and raised the flowers higher for her to see."I came to give you this." He held out the flowers, a slightly mischievous smile on his face. "And I also came to see you because I owe you an apology. And dinner."Evelyn blinked, looking a little taken aback but she took the flowers all the same, her fingers brushing against his. Slowly, she brought them to her nose, inhaling the soft, sweet scent of the white roses. When she looked up at him, her expression was a strange mash up of delight and skepticism."You don't really have to apologize," she said, her voice carefully neutral, “You did inform me you couldn't make it through Ms Dubois and your apology over the phone was enough.”Noah shook his head,." It really wasn't and I do owe you more than one apology," Noah's voice was earnest, his eyes fixed on her face. "I stood you up. I disappeared without a word. I made you worry, and I didn't even have the decency