I stared out the window of Arthur's office, watching clouds drift across the afternoon sky. The confrontation with Cassandra and the security guards had left me drained, but somehow also lighter. For once, I hadn't backed down. For once, someone had stood beside me.
"You're quiet," Arthur said from behind his desk.
I turned to face him. "Just thinking about everything that happened."
He nodded, his expression unreadable as always. "My grandmother seems determined to keep you here."
"She's..." I searched for the right words. "She's kind. But I know she's confused sometimes."
Arthur's fingers drummed once on his desk. "About many things, yes. But she's quite clear about wanting us together."
Before I could respond, a soft knock interrupted us, and Mrs. Chen appeared at the door.
"Mr. Sterling, your grandmother is asking for both of you in the garden room."
Arthur sighed but stood immediately. "We'll be right there."
