Chapter 44

Lilah sighed and said helplessly, “Grandma, you really misunderstood him. Gabriel’s been looking forward to your visit—there’s no way he’d want you to leave.”

“I knew you’d come to his defense,” Sandra chuckled knowingly. “Fine, fine, a couple that sticks together can overcome anything. That’s how it should be—husband and wife on the same page.”

Night had fallen, the moon hung like a silver hook in the sky. A soft, ethereal glow bathed every corner of the Ashbourne Manor.

Sandra had gone to bed early. Gabriel was still in the study, working.

Lilah hesitated at the study door for a moment, then finally raised her hand and knocked.

No reply came, only the faint sound of footsteps from within.

Before long, the door creaked open.

Gabriel stood there, tall and composed.

“Come in.”

His eyes lingered briefly on Lilah—she stood there in a pale blue dress, her delicate beauty framed in the soft light. He stepped aside silently to let her