72 The Sorrow Behind The Smile

Jerrick watched William as he sat hunched over his cluttered desk, in the bright room. Papers were strewn about like fallen leaves in autumn, discarded and forgotten in his pursuit of the perfect words.

With a sigh, Jerrick found a place to sit. He rarely got into William's study. The room was filled with exquisite furnishings and was well-lit, and yet something was lacking. 

There was nothing with personal connection in the entire room, Jerrick observed. His heart clenched seeing the way William lived. But beneath the façade of grandeur and happiness, there lurked a hint of melancholy, a shadow that flickered briefly across his face when he thought no one was watching.

Jerrick knew the reason behind his melancholy. Maybe, having Isadora with him for some days will being him the joy he lacked.

"Here," William offered the letter with a bright smile on his face.