Chapter 25

Elaria walked in, catching Clarence and Mrs. Harmon completely off guard. The atmosphere was... complicated. You didn't need to be a genius to sense something had gone down between those two. The wind outside was hot and restless. A gust blew Clarence's hair back, lifted the hem of Mrs. Harmon's extravagant dress, and brushed silkily against Elaria's arm-it was soft, smooth, unmistakably high-end fabric. They stood there in silence for a beat before Mrs. Harmon, voice a little scratchy, said, "I'm not feeling too well. Mrs. Richards, would you mind helping me inside to rest?" Elaria nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course. I was just coming to check on you. I've been worried about your health." Mrs. Harmon looked a bit more at ease. She patted Elaria's hand and said, "It really does calm me down knowing you're here." Elaria kept her soft smile, held her arm, and led her away. Behind them, Clarence watched her go. Seeing someone he once loved just walk away, not knowing when they'd ever