Adrian stared at his former wife.

The man opened the rear door. “We have been waiting for your return.”

Lena nodded once. “Tell the council I’m ready.”

Before entering the car, she looked back at Adrian. There was no triumph in her expression. No cruelty. Only the tired sadness of someone who had warned a man many times, in a language he had refused to learn.

Then she got inside.

The twelve cars circled the fountain, passed through the gates, and disappeared into the rain. Marcus stood beside Adrian in silence.