Felix stood behind one of the stone pillars of the Remiro estate, concealed in the shadows as he watched the scene unfold in the garden. The late afternoon sun cast golden hues over the vast, meticulously maintained grounds, illuminating the field where Thorne, Noelle, and their daughter, little Mimi, played together.
Lush greenery surrounded them—towering oak trees providing ample shade, the trimmed hedges forming an elegant labyrinth of nature, and flower beds bursting with color. The soft scent of blooming roses lingered in the air, carried gently by the breeze. It was an idyllic scene, one that should have felt like nothing more than another moment in the life of the Remiro estate.
And yet, Felix couldn't help but feel an unfamiliar, unwelcome emotion tighten around his chest. A feeling he hadn't allowed himself in years.
Envy.
