Chapter 47

• The night air was quiet, softer than usual, as Sophie and Mike walked through the front door of the mansion, their steps light and slow, like neither of them wanted to be the first to say goodbye.
• The hallway lights cast a warm glow across the tiled floor as they moved side by side, brushing shoulders but saying nothing. They had barely spoken on the ride home, and even now, the silence between them wasn’t empty—it was loaded with everything they didn’t want to admit.
• Mike followed her as she made her way to her room. When she paused at the door and turned the knob, he gently reached out and pushed it open for her. She stepped in, and he did too, stopping just behind her. The door clicked shut behind them.