The silence that followed Evelyn's question lingered far longer than anyone expected.
"When I was diagnosed with a rare heart condition... where were you?"
Vanessa's smile had vanished.
Every camera remained fixed on her.
She searched desperately for an answer that wouldn't make her look heartless.
"I... I didn't know."
"You didn't ask," Evelyn repeated gently.
There was no accusation in her voice.
No anger.
Just a simple truth.
Sometimes the quietest words left the deepest wounds.
Vanessa forced another smile.
"I'm sorry if you felt alone."
Evelyn looked at her for a moment before nodding politely.
"I appreciate the apology."
She turned toward another executive waiting to greet her, effectively ending the conversation.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was dismissal.
Vanessa sudden
