Grandfather and grandson exchanged a look, both faces hardening in unspoken agreement as silence thickened between them. Neither seemed willing to be the one to open the door for Chad.


    But the "uninvited guest" was already at the threshold. Mr. Murray, stationed outside, had no choice but to let him in.


    "Grandfather, I heard you fell ill rather suddenly. How are you feeling? Any better?" Chad''s tone was warm, almost too pleasant, as if he''d only just noticed Thaddeus standing there. His dark eyes flickered, and he smiled gently. "Oh, Thaddeus, you''re here too."


    Thaddeus''s expression was cool andposed. He gave a slight nod. "Brother."


    Chad wheeled himself closer to the bedside, his movements smooth and practiced. "Had I known Thaddeus was here, I might have waited until tomorrow to visit. I wouldn''t want to disturb your rest." His voice was light, almost apologetic.


    "Nonsense, Chad," Hamilton said, forcing a smile as he hurried to reassure him. "It''ste, and your health isn''t what it used to be. You shouldn''t have gone to all this trouble toe here."


    Leaning in, Chad let a faint glimmer pass through his eyes, gone so quickly it was as if it had never been there. "Grandfather, since I was a child, you''ve always been the one who doted on me most. Now that you''re in the hospital, how could I not be here for you? What kind of a man would that make me?"


    At those words, Hamilton''s body, hidden beneath the covers, shuddered.


    Thaddeus noticed the change in his grandfather. Though suspicion gnawed at him, he kept hisposure; masking one''s emotions was a basic skill for anyone at the helm of a powerful family.


    That was how it had always been for Thaddeus-years spent holding back, feeling isted, even deste. Lately, those tangled emotions had been stirring again, keeping him awake on lonely nights. He couldn''t shake the sense of emptiness, the chill that seeped through his chest.


    "Grandfather," Chad said softly, "there''s something I''d like to discuss with you. Alone, if that''s all right?"


    Hamilton''s gaze flicked to Thaddeus, uneasy. "Is it something urgent? Thaddeus isn''t an outsider. You can speak freely."


    "Grandfather, why don''t you and Chad talk? I''ll take my leave," Thaddeus offered, not wanting to linger where he wasn''t wanted. He left the room with Mr. Murray, quietly closing the door behind them.


    As the door shut, he caught a faint trace of Chad''s voice-gentler than he''d ever heard before.


    "Grandfather, I''ve fallen for someone."


    Thaddeus froze in the corridor, shoulders rigid, lips pressed into a thin line.


    Hamilton sounded surprised. "Oh? Our Chad has found someone special? Is she


    a girl from back home, or someone you met at Elmsworth?"


    Chad''s smile was calm, almost tender. "You know her, Grandfather. Thaddeus does too. It''s Evadne-Ms. Evadne. I care for her deeply."


    "What-?! You... you mean na?" Hamilton''s eyes went wide, his face nching even further.


    Outside, Thaddeus heard every word, each one a needle pricking his chest. No visible wound, but slowly, silently, it felt as if fresh blood was welling up beneath his skin.


    "Yes," Chad replied, still smiling, owning it without hesitation.


    Hamilton tried to steady himself, but his voice still shook. "When... when did this happen?"<fn4e03> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel</fn4e03>


    Chad lowered his gaze, picking up an apple and a paring knife from the bedside table, slicing the fruit with deliberate care. "I''m not sure when exact Feelings aren''t so easily exined. At first, Ms. Evadne was Thaddeus''s beloved. They were in love, and I sincerely wished them happiness. I never intended to take what belonged to my brother.


    After all, Thaddeus is my only brother-the one I saved with my


    own life. He had a hard childget


    arriving at the Abernathy


    Mrs. Winter enduring endless slights. He''s never had much love in his life. When he found someone he


    cherished, I was truly happy for him."


    Outside, Thaddeus''s insides turned to ice. His hands curled into tight fists at his sides.


    Chad''s words seemed full of


    concern, all for Thaddeus''s sake And yet each sentence was like an


    invisible hand peeling open old scars that Thaddeus had worked so hard to heal.