Felix let the final note fade under his fingers, his thoughts still tangled around Matteo—the way he hunched over his work, the shadows beneath his eyes that spoke louder than words.
He sighed, resting his forehead against the cool wood of the piano.
A low rumble of engines stirred outside. His heart lifted. He's back already?
Felix rose quickly, his steps brisk as he crossed the hall. But when he reached the front steps, his breath hitched. It wasn't Matteo.
A sleek car idled at the gates. Jianyu stood stiffly at the entrance, hand raised in a silent order to the guards.
Beside the car leaned a young man with light brown hair, necklaces glinting against his shirt, his posture lazy as if he owned the ground he walked on.
Victor.
Felix's brows furrowed, his mind a perfect blank. He didn't recognize him—but the smug tilt of Victor's smile said otherwise.
Jianyu's voice was taut. "You shouldn't be here."
