The room fell silent.
Not the comfortable kind.
Not the peaceful kind.
The kind that made Amelia's heart pound louder.
Jethro remained in her arms.
Safe.
Warm.
Real.
Yet Evelyn's words continued echoing in her mind.
They were waiting to see what he would become.
Amelia slowly stood.
Her protective grip tightened around her son.
"What does that mean?"
Evelyn looked away briefly.
As though deciding how much truth Amelia was ready to hear.
Then she sighed.
"It started before Daniel died."
The words hit like a physical blow.
Amelia froze.
"What?"
Evelyn nodded sadly.
"Much earlier."
Damien stepped forward immediately.
"You knew?"
His voice carried something dangerous.
Not anger.
Disappointment.
Evelyn met his gaze.
"I knew pieces."
A pause.
"Not the whole thing."
