Richard's Pov

I didn't know what to say at first. My mind was a tangle of protective instincts and the cold, hard reality of the last few months. Finally, I leaned back, my chair creaking softly in the stillness.

"I didn't expect the timing, Elias," I said, my voice sounding more tired than I felt. "But I’d be a fool to say I didn't suspect something was going on between the two of you, even before I had confirmed it."

Elias didn't flinch. "I love her a lot. I can't stop now. I’ve tried to fight it when I thought it wouldn't work out between us. and I’ve tried to...