Meredith barely registered the sound of hurried footsteps behind her. But when she turned, her heart sank further. A woman with streaks of silver in her hair and tear-streaked cheeks entered the observation area.
In her trembling hands, she clutched a handkerchief. Beside her stood a stoic man with broad shoulders. Though he held himself steady, the redness of his eyes spoke something else.
It was Catarina and Nicholas, Xavier's parents.
Meredith felt a sharp pang of guilt in her chest as she watched Catarina clutch her handkerchief to her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs. Nicholas gently placed a hand on his wife's back. Meredith could see his jaw tightening, his own emotions threatening to spill over.
Summoning everything she had, Meredith slowly approached them, her hand
