The air in the room turned leaden the moment Bianca’s words hung between them. Claire stood utterly still, her carefully composed features tightening as storm clouds of fury and revulsion gathered in her eyes. She stared at her daughter, barely able to process the ugly truth slowly dawning on them both.
After a weighted pause, Claire’s voice came out low, sharp with grim resolve. “This isn’t your fight. Don’t make it yours. Find a way to step back—now. As for Elara’s things… I know where they are.”
“You know?” Bianca’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes widening as cold dread coiled deep in her stomach. “Mother… tell me you didn’t take them.”
Claire let out a sharp, frustrated breath, pinching the bridge of her nose as though physically pained by her daughter’s naivety. “Sometimes I w
