Kaida
Bastian’s house was quiet when we walked in, the kind of silence that felt like it was waiting to be broken. I followed him through the grand hallway, trying to shake off the remnants of the day’s tension. The postponed hearing had been a small victory, but the shadow of what was coming still loomed large in my mind. I couldn’t relax just yet.
Bastian led me to the living room, where I thought we might finally get a moment to ourselves, but then I saw her.
Helena.
She stood near the fireplace, her eyes sharp and assessing as they landed on me. My stomach churned. I hadn’t seen Bastian’s mother since I’d been admitted to the hospital, and truthfully, I hadn’t wanted to. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with her cold stares or whatever veiled insults she might throw my way. But here sh
