The moment Noah and Aiden stepped into the hallway together, something in the house shifted again.
Not loudly.
Not visibly.
But enough.
Enough for Matthew to feel it from downstairs.
Enough for Vinny to glance toward the staircase before they even appeared.
Enough for the silence in the mansion to sharpen.
Aiden walked slightly ahead.
Not by much.
But enough to show one thing clearly—
He had made his decision.
Noah followed just behind him, quieter, but no less resolved.
By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, Matthew was already standing in the middle of the living room.
Waiting.
Vinny leaned against the couch, arms crossed.
Watching.
Carefully.
"Well?" Vinny asked.
Aiden didn't hesitate.
"We're going."
Silence.
Complete.
Heavy.
Matthew didn't react immediately.
But his gaze shifted slowly from Aiden to Noah.
"And you agreed to that."
It wasn't a question.
Noah nodded once.
"Yes."
Matthew's jaw tightened slightly.
Vinny exhaled slowly.
