It wasn’t just dinner—it was a homecoming. A promise that even in the shadow of grief, joy could bloom again.
Maya and Damien exchanged a quick, knowing glance—just a flicker of warmth that said everything words didn’t have to. Across the table, Jaime’s laughter rang out, light and genuine, and for a brief moment, the room felt peaceful.
The conversation flowed easily after that—playful teasing, casual updates, a toast to their return. Between the laughter, though, came quieter truths. They spoke of their mother, of the bloodline that bound them, of the history that carried both power and danger.
Jaime listened in silence, taking it all in with surprising calm. No panic. No questions born of fear. Just quiet understanding and a steady, mature nod every now and then. It was as if he’d al
