THE WHEELCHAIR SCREECHED SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE POLISHED MARBLE BEFORE ANYONE COULD REACT.

at the small gold object again.

Then back at the door.

Something in him shifted—not authority, not confidence, but recognition that whatever this moment was, it was already beyond permission.

He stepped forward.

The key slid into the lock.

For a brief second, nothing happened.

Then—

CLICK.

The sound was soft, but it traveled through the entire boutique like continue reading …