CHAPTER 51 Nancy stayed in her room; Andrew didn’t knock. They moved around each other by absence. James noticed, of course. He always did. He adjusted the household’s rhythm to fit the silence that had settled between them. Morning arrived slowly. Andrew was awake before his alarm, watching the pale wash of light across the ceiling. He lay there for a moment, listening. Nothing. No soft footsteps in the hallway. No faint clatter from the kitchen. No voice. He pushed back the covers and sat up, rubbing his face. The air felt cooler than usual as he stepped into the hallway. He paused outside Nancy’s door, just for a heartbeat, then kept walking. Downstairs, James stood at the counter, sleeves neatly rolled, arranging breakfast with quiet precision. The smell of coffee hung in the air, rich, steady, and familiar. Andrew stepped in. “Morning.” “Morning, sir,” James said, not looking up immediately. Andrew glanced toward the empty seat. “Where’s Nancy?” James
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