Ace's POV
Ovelia and Ann stood wrapped in Mrs. Melinda's embrace, Ovelia's shoulders relaxed in a way I'd never seen before. The way her fingers clutched the older woman's shawl—not desperately, but with quiet wonder—sent an unexpected tightness through my chest. Her eyes gleamed brighter than the lantern light flickering around us, and when her tears finally fell, Mrs. Melinda caught them with her thumb, brushing them away with a tenderness that made my throat ache.
"You're grinning over there, Ace." Philip's elbow jabbed into my ribs, his voice dripping with amusement. "Have you gone completely soft for Ovelia?"
I schooled my expression into something more neutral. "It's the first time I've seen her look this happy. That's all." The words came out flatter than I intended.
Ray materialized at my other side, his smirk audible before I even turned. "That may be true, but don't deny that you've already fallen for her,"
