Chapter 71. Unspoken Words, Unfinished Business

Julian’s POV

The letter lay on my desk, its presence heavier than it had any right to be.

I’d read it twice already, but the words still felt distant, like they were meant for someone else. Someone who still belonged to the place he’d left behind.

I didn’t hear the door open, but I felt her presence before she spoke.

“Father was asking about you earlier,” Avery said with no preamble. Her voice was calm, quiet—but it cut through the silence like a blade.

Things had been heated and awkward between us since the last time. Since that night.

I glanced up from the letter. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed, green eyes cool and unreadable. But I knew better.

“Good morning to you, too,” I muttered.

She didn’t react to my tone. Her gaze flicked to the letter. “Something wrong?”

I hesitated, then picked it up, holding it out to her. She took it, unfolding the crisp paper with careful fingers.

Her eyes scanned the words, an