Chapter 26 The Silent Janitor

• Duncan Estate — Alicia and Tristan
• The Duncan estate basked in rare calm. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, warming the living room in a soft, golden glow. For the first time in days, the air wasn’t charged with suspicion or urgency. It was quiet. Almost peaceful.
• Tristan leaned back on the velvet sofa, a glass of whiskey lazily hanging from his hand. Alicia sat beside him, her head gently resting against his shoulder. Her fingers traced light, idle patterns across the back of his hand — small movements that kept them tethered to something real.