Nimiane’s eyes never strayed from Mr. Delaney’s personage as she spoke. She took him in, from the whitening hands to the look in his eyes. Her words were having the very opposite reaction she had hoped for, although Nimiane wasn’t entirely sure what it could be for.

Without a word Mr. Delaney left his chair, stalking toward the window. For a moment it was that first day again, the sunlight pouring in against his dark blue suit, agitation clear in his movements as he stood there with flowers for a woman he had never met. This time his agitation stemmed from something completely different.

If. The word rung in her ears, echoing with the realization that perhaps there was a possibility that he wasn’t here to simply cut ties. If. Nimiane froze. She owed him the truth. “Yes.” Her quiet voice almost seemed to echo between them.