“Is everything settled?” she asked gently.

“It is,” Adrian said, handing her his coat. “The threat has been removed.”

Mrs. Gable smiled, a look of relief washing over her face.

“I will prepare some tea,” she said, hurrying off toward the kitchen.

Adrian led me into the study, where a fire was already crackling in the hearth.

The orange light danced across the leather-bound books and the dark wood paneling.

I sank into one of the armchairs, feeling the physical exhaustion of the last few months finally catching up to me.

Adrian sat opposite me, leaning forward with his hands clasped.

“What will you do now, Emily?” he asked quietly.

“I don’t know,” I said, staring into the flames.

“For so long, my only goal was to stay alive, to stay hidden.”

“You don’t have to hide anymore,” he said.

“Your record is clear, your identity is safe, and Marcus will never touch you again.”

I looked at him, really looked at him, without the fear that had always colored my world.

He was a powerful man, feared by many in the city.