Chapter 4 - THE FIRST NIGHT AT VALE MANOR
The first real argument happened over a staircase.
Adrian wanted to attend a dinner in the older west wing.
The dining room was upstairs.
The elevator had been temporarily shut down for maintenance.
I suggested moving dinner.
He refused.
“I've been eating in that room since I was six.”
I folded my arms.
“And tonight you're eating somewhere else.”
His expression hardened.
“Claire.”
“Adrian.”
“I don't need you deciding what I can do.”
I stared at him.
Then slowly nodded.
“You're right.”
He blinked.
I continued.
“You don't.”
A pause.
“But if the elevator isn't working, and the staircase isn't accessible, then the room is the problem.”
He looked at me.
I smiled.
“Not you.”
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked away.
His jaw tightened.
“I hate this.”
My expression softened.
“I know.”
He stared at the staircase.
“Before the accident, I could walk into any room I wanted.”
I sat beside him.
“Adrian.”
He looked at me.
“You still deserve to.”
His eyes changed.
For the first time, he looked vulnerable.
Not weak.
Not helpless.
Just human.
I reached for his hand.
He let me take it.
And that evening, dinner was moved to the library.
May you like
Not because Adrian had surrendered.
But because he finally allowed someone to stand beside him without feeling diminished.
