The word home lingered between them. Not this house. Not the mansion downstairs filled with secrets and cold silences. Somewhere else. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere that belonged to just them.
Amara's chest tightened. She didn't reach for the fruit. Instead, she moved closer and slid her fingers through his. Julian went still immediately. His hand was freezing.
She frowned slightly at the feeling, rubbing her thumb gently against his skin as if she could warm him back to life with enough care.
"It's your home, Julian," she said quietly. His eyes lifted to hers again.
"And you don't have to worry about me right now." Her voice became softer, steadier. "You should be out there with your mother." For a second, he said nothing. He only stared down at their hands intertwined together in his lap.
