Chapter 121

Lily's mouth fell open. She hadn't expected that. Her instincts told her to say no, to be proud and push back. But exhaustion and relief pulled a different answer from her. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice small. "I don't want to be a nuisance." Carson waved a hand as if it was nothing. "You're not a nuisance. And you're definitely not some gold-digging schemer. That's not Claire's type. I'll trust my sister's choice." He grinned and added, "Besides, now I'll have someone to annoy since I'm back. It'll be fun." He said it like a promise, part joke, part genuine interest. Lily couldn't tell whether to be relieved or wary. She chose relief. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'll... I'll be careful. And I'll try to find a place quickly." Carson nodded. "Then it's settled." They continued talking after that, in small, easy exchanges that felt like drifting stones—light and safe. He teased her about living in luxury and not knowing the rules, and she defended herself with dry, honest answe