Kade turned around and left the study, closing the heavy wooden door securely behind him.
Damon sat alone in the quiet, warm study. He let out a slow breath. He turned his head to the side.
Resting on a small wooden table near the bookshelves was a framed painting. It was an old family portrait. It showed a very young Damon standing proudly between his mother and his father. His parents looked strong and happy. It was painted before the terrible carriage accident took them away.
Damon stared at the painting. He thought about his past, and then he thought about his present. He thought about the woman currently eating dinner in his house.
He remembered the old Camilla. The woman who cried constantly. The woman who was weak and annoying.
Then, he thought about the new Camilla. The woman who had just lied straight to his face with a completely calm heartbeat.
"She seems to have changed," Damon spoke to himself softly. His deep voice echoed in the empty study.
