Marco's POV
The mansion felt different the moment we stepped through the doors, now that they are back at my place. It felt heavier as if the walls themselves knew what happened tonight and were holding their breath, afraid to echo the wrong sound.
I followed Lara inside, watching the way her arms tightened protectively around Cassian. His tiny fingers clung to her shirt, his cheek pressed against her shoulder, unaware of how close danger had been.
My heart twisted. I wanted to reach for both of them. I wanted to offer comfort, warmth, anything. But the moment I stepped too close, Lara shifted her weight and put a careful inch of space between us. I felt that inch like a blade.
"Lara," I murmured quietly. "You both should rest. Let me take Cassian so you can relax your arms for a moment."
Her grip only tightened. "I am fine." Two simple cold words. My wife had never spoken to me that way before.
