Two days later, warm afternoon light flooded the spacious living room of Jason's city apartment.

The residence was bright and serene, finished in understated neutral tones with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the sprawling skyline below. It felt worlds apart from the cold, imposing grandeur of the Aurelius estate, offering an unpretentious sense of safety and calm.

In the open kitchen, Mark moved with quiet, methodical precision. He had shed his formal suit jacket, wearing a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves neatly folded to his elbows. He poured steaming water from a silver kettle into a porcelain teapot filled with dried chamomile flowers and wildflower honey.

"Here you are, Miss...