Melvin's scoff pierced the air as he revealed his awareness of Joana's pregnancy. The stark incongruity between his pleasant demeanor and the weight of his words left Joana unsettled.
Reacting impulsively in this situation not only risked causing a public commotion, drawing the curious eyes of onlookers wondering about the peculiar alliance between Melvin and a human, but it also ran the risk of portraying Joana as emotionally unstable in contrast to Melvin's composed facade. Despite the discomfort from Melvin's grip on her skin, Joana concealed this source of distress.
For the first time in days, Joana sensed Lira's insidious influence stirring within her. To quiet Lira's tendencies towards reckless behavior, Joana suppressed her influence, cautious of any potential harm directed toward
