A night to remember

"Bye~ Bye~ for now, darling. Take care of my sisters for me, okay?"

"Yeah…"

Riley watched as Liyana waved from the carriage, her usual playful tone lingering in the air.

He raised his hand for a half-hearted wave in return, then quietly turned back toward the house.

His steps were slow, not out of hesitation, but because he already knew what tonight would bring.

He wasn't exactly dreading it. If anything, he was… fine with it.

Maybe more than fine. But still, that small thread of caution tugged at the back of his mind.

Not fear—just awareness. Liyana was fine with everything.

She'd even smiled while saying goodbye, like she knew exactly what she was leaving him to handle.

Maybe that was the problem.

Her being okay with it made everything a bit more real and suspicious…

"Promises are promises…" Riley muttered under his breath.