She didn't wait for my answer before continuing, her tone carrying the faint edge of dismissal. "Julian needs rest these next few days. He shouldn't be seeing visitors. I'm taking care of him, so there's really no need for you to be here. You should head home."
She smiled, then added as though it were an afterthought. "Oh, and our third wedding anniversary is in two weeks. He's planning a celebration at the Midnight Gala. You absolutely have to come, and don't you dare show up without a gift."
I looked at the triumph and the challenge bright in her eyes. I lowered my gaze. Said nothing.
Two weeks from now also happened to be the day I would leave the Moretti compound for good.
After a moment, I raised my head and offered a small smile. "Of course. I'll make sure to prepare something special."
Satisfied with the answer, she turned and left, heels clicking down the polished corridor.
I watched her retreating figure. Then I took out my phone, dialed a number, and kept walking toward the cold storage unit. My thumb pressed lightly against the inside of my wrist, steadying a pulse only I could feel.