Chapter 455

"What has caught your attention?" Harrison's voice broke through Evelyn's reverie, yet her eyes stayed locked on a decorative piece across the room.

She gestured toward the ornament. "Harrison, why do you have this exact same porcelain rocking horse?"

His gaze followed hers, lips curving slightly. "Do you possess one as well?"

Evelyn nodded, fingers tightening around the pajama set he'd handed her. "Identical to yours. Though mine shattered years ago." She turned away, voice dropping to a whisper. "Beyond repair."

A shadow flickered through Harrison's eyes, quickly masked. "What an unfortunate loss."

He extended a plush towel toward her. "You should retire early tonight."

"I will." She accepted the items, forcing a small smile. "You should rest too. Goodnight."

The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Evelyn exhaled sharply. The pajama fabric felt impossibly soft between her fingers.

Meanwhile, Nathan Sterling's limousine rolled through the wrought iron gates of Sterling Manor well past midnight. The scent of expensive whiskey clung to his tailored suit as he slumped against the leather seats.

"Sir, we've arrived." The driver's voice cut through the alcohol haze.

Nathan blinked at the familiar silhouette of his family home. With sluggish movements, he loosened his tie and stepped into the chilled night air.

"Dismissed," he muttered without turning back.

The estate stood eerily silent. Moonlight washed over the sprawling mansion that now felt hollow. Six months ago, these halls echoed with Evelyn's laughter. Now only Margaret remained after he'd banished Eleanor and Vanessa.

"Mr. Sterling, you're home." Patricia materialized in the foyer, taking his coat with practiced efficiency. "Madam Winslow wished to dine with you tonight."

Nathan paused mid-step. "Is she asleep?"

"Retired an hour ago, sir." The housekeeper hesitated. "Though... there's something you should know."

His brow arched in question.

Patricia lowered her voice. "Madam's health has declined recently. She forbade us from troubling you, but... perhaps you could visit more often?"

The words struck like physical blows. Without responding, Nathan took the grand staircase two steps at a time.

At the master suite's threshold, he paused, listening to the faint coughs within. When he eased the door open, moonlight revealed Margaret's restless form.

"Let me adjust your blankets, Grandmother."

"Nathan?" The bedside lamp flickered on, illuminating Margaret's tired smile. "Don't trouble yourself, dear."

He froze, hand still outstretched. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"These old bones don't sleep much anymore." She patted the silk covers. "Another late business meeting? You're working yourself to exhaustion."

Nathan swallowed hard, the whiskey suddenly bitter on his tongue. The woman who'd once stood taller than oak trees now seemed fragile as the porcelain horse in Harrison's study.