Chapter 40
The soft click of the porcelain teacups settling into their saucers resonated in the tense silence of Lina’s sunroom. Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long, somber shadows across the manicured lawn, reflecting the gloom that had settled over Lina and Philip. A tight-lipped seriousness replaced his usually jovial demeanor as he looked out the window, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular.
“I still can’t quite… process it,” Lina began, her voice barely a whisper. She cradled her teacup, the warmth of the ceramic a stark contrast to the chill that had seeped into her bones as she referred to Katherine being foolish enough to fall for Whitney's tricks.
Philip finally turned; his eyes, usually so full of life, were clouded with weary resignation. “It’s a testament to Whitney
