Maya hesitates for a moment before slowly lowering herself into the indicated chair, her gaze fixed on the table in front of her.
She can feel Jackson's eyes on her, and the tension in the air is palpable.
"Where are the children?" Jackson asks, his voice calm and even.
"Resting," Maya replies, her voice tight with barely suppressed emotion. "They had a difficult night."
Jackson nods, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I see. Well, I'm sure they'll be refreshed and ready to join us soon."
Maya doesn't respond, instead focusing her attention on the elaborate spread of food laid out before them.
Her stomach churns with a mix of hunger and unease, and she finds herself picking at the meal rather than eating.
The silence between them is oppressive, and Maya can feel her anxie
