Raina's POV
For a time, neither of us spoke.
The sea stretched endlessly before us, its surface shimmering beneath the afternoon sun while the tide rolled in with quiet, unhurried rhythm. Grandfather stood with his hands folded behind his back, his gaze fixed on the horizon as though he could read something written beyond it.
He had always understood the value of silence.
He never hurried people into speaking. He simply waited until they were ready, knowing that most truths lost their meaning when they were forced.
I drew a slow breath, but it did little to settle the unease in my chest.
There was one question I still needed answered.
"There's something else I want to ask."
He turned his head just enough to acknowledge me.
"Go on."
I held his gaze for a moment before saying the name that had lingered at the back of my mind for far too long.
"Felix."
His expression remained composed.
"What about him?"
My fingers tightened unconsciously around each other.
