Chapter 726

My office door was closed. My name was still there.

I held the handle for a second before opening it.Just to feel it.

When I stepped inside, I found Matthew sitting at the desk.

Not in the main chair.

In the guest chair.

The detail made me smile before a single word was spoken.

Matthew stood the moment I walked in. He had the kind of presence that comes from a man who learned how to be discreet even when he deserves applause.

Even so, his eyes looked lighter.

“I wanted to officially return the crown,” he said, with a smile that balanced humor and respect perfectly.

“Symbolically, of course.I didn’t actually buy a crown.” I laughed.

The sound came easily.No defenses.

“Good,” I replied.

“That would’ve been an unnecessary expense.I already have an entire board to remind me how heavy it is.” He laughed too, and the office felt less like an office and more like a place.

“And I bet you probably have one in your closet.” I pretended to think about it.

“Maybe,” I said, and we both laughed again.

I walked over and hugged him.

A real hug.

Not the polite, distant kind this building usually demands. I felt his body stiffen for a second, like he still wasn’t used to being… appreciated like that.

“I’ll never be able to thank you for everything you did for me,” I said quietly.

Matthew took a slow breath.

“That’s what friends are for,” he answered simply.

I stepped back and moved to the desk, setting my bag down in its usual spot.

My office looked exactly the same. But I wasn’t.

“I want you to stay,” I said, getting straight to the point.

“If you want to.” Matthew looked at me carefully.

“Stay?” he asked.

“In Florentia?”

I leaned lightly against the edge of the desk.

“As Executive Director of Operations,” I said.

I watched his expression change.

The kind of surprise that happens when someone realizes they’re not just being useful.

They’re being chosen.

will offer you the

to be surprised.” Matthew let out a quiet

like he was testing the idea inside his

sounds perfect.” Warmth spread through

a change of scenery anyway,” he added, with a

Florentia,” I said, and the words

you as much happiness as

a

the same expression as

the outside,

without waiting for permission, like the place already belonged to

make plans?” I

remember that.I actually had lunch with Nick before coming

“Not you,” she said.

Matthew with very clear

Matthew blinked,

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

the

right… sure,” he said, like he’d just remembered a meeting on

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

already heading for the door, waiting for

me a quick wave

closed,

time it wasn’t

good silence. I walked to my

a long time, I let

Things were good at

were good

I knew, with a quiet certainty,

Valement Estate

recognizable noise you could

blend of smaller sounds that came

gate creaking open at

Tires crunching over gravel.

footsteps echoing down the

clink of

coffee machine

no longer tried to be careful, because this place had stopped being a

And it

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

in the air

freshly pressed laundry

hotel soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness of a

the courtyard, I could still catch the faint scent of cold stone beneath

reminder that these walls

the routine was already in motion. One of the staff girls was lining up trays. Another checked a list with a pen tucked behind her

in the middle of everything without looking like the center

“Double cappuccino for the couple in room

family in seven wants fruit without honey. No honey, Nick. I know

fridge. Martina shot me an amused look, and I smiled back.

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