The room felt thick with tension. Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his sharp eyes locked on the flickering fire in the fireplace. He clasped his hands tightly as if the gesture could somehow ease the weight of the memories he carried. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and scratchy
"My wife left me a long time ago," he started, hesitating to draw a trembling breath. "She lost the baby, and after that, she could no longer stand being with me."
Cecilia, who had been quietly watching him, leaned in, her golden eyes slitting. "Are you trying to tell us that she walked away from you after that incident, Marcus?"
He breathed out sharply, his fingers running through his messy black hair. "She held me responsible for all of it." For the connection, for the loss... for the exis
