The room was cold.
Not because of the air-conditioning humming faintly above, but because of the woman standing in the center, Veronica. Her presence alone was enough to chill the blood of anyone who dared cross her. She stood there shoulders straight, her eyes glacial and unblinking as they fixed on the trembling figure seated before her.
Amara.
The girl’s wrists were bound in front of her. Her face was pale, lips cracked, and her eyes swollen from sleepless nights. Yet, even with exhaustion consuming her, she refused to look away from Veronica.
The silence between them was sharp, nearly physical, like glass that could shatter at any moment.
"I know when someone is lying."
Finally, Veronica broke it.
Her voice was calm, but there was nothing gentle in it.
“Tell me,” she said, circ
