Tristan Valois loosened his tie as he stepped through the main entrance of the mansion. The council meeting had been shorter than expected, allowing him to return home early. He smiled at the small velvet box in his hand, containing the rose quartz earrings he'd purchased for Camille.
My daughter deserves a surprise after her excellent final exam results.
The house was unusually quiet. Normally, Leo would be racing down the hallway to greet him, or he'd hear Camille's music drifting from upstairs.
"Anyone home?" he called out, placing his briefcase on the entryway table.
No response.
Tristan made his way up the grand staircase, his footsteps echoing against the marble. He'd leave the gift on Camille's pillow to find when she returned from wherever she'd gone. Small gestures like this had become more important since her mother passed away years ago.
