Night settled over the mansion like a slow exhale.
The kind that should have brought rest.
But didn't.
The lights were still on in most rooms.
Not bright—just enough to keep the shadows from swallowing everything whole.
No one had officially said it, but everyone felt it.
Tomorrow would change something.
Maybe everything.
Aiden stood on the balcony outside Noah's room again.
The same spot.
The same quiet view stretching out into the distance.
But this time, he wasn't calm.
His arms rested on the railing, fingers tapping lightly, rhythm uneven.
Thinking.
Overthinking.
Behind him, the sliding door opened softly.
Noah stepped out.
"You're going to wear a hole into that railing."
Aiden didn't turn.
"Better than wearing a hole in my head."
Noah stepped beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The night air was cool.
Still.
Too still.
"You're nervous," Noah said quietly.
Aiden scoffed.
"Obviously."
Noah glanced at him.
