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Xavier stood by the expansive windows of his own mansion, the early morning light softly illuminating the skyline of New Athens in shades of gold and rose.
Yet, the beauty felt distant, overshadowed by the growing unease in his chest. He had lost track of how many times he'd called Theodore, each unanswered ring deepening the worry that had settled in after Mr. Harlan mentioned dropping Theo off at his old apartment again the night before.
Theodore hadn't come home last. No responses to his messages. Despite maintaining a calm facade, a rare thread of fear wove through his mind.
Did his grandparents' cold glares and backhanded insults at dinner push Theodore away? Or had the pressure of their fake arrangement finally become unbearable that he refused to spend another night with him?
