Night had fully taken over the estate, but sleep did not arrive with it.Instead, there was vigilance.A quiet, collective awareness that something had shifted beyond the visible, even if nothing had physically crossed the boundary again. The earlier pressure had withdrawn, yes—but not in defeat. It had retreated in understanding, like something that had gathered enough information to return with intention.Amber felt that truth sitting beneath everything now.Even in stillness.Even in silence.She stood by the window in Raymond’s chambers, her reflection faint against the dark glass. Outside, the land was calm, almost peaceful, yet her mind refused to accept that peace as permanent.Raymond entered the room quietly behind her, his presence steady as always. He didn’t speak immediately, and she didn’t turn right away. For a moment, they both simply existed in the same space, aware of the same unspoken weight.“They’ve stopped for now,” Raymond said at last.Amber exhaled softly. “Sto
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