TWENTY FIVE
Talia lowered her head, her entire body trembling with fear. She tried to steady her breath, but the weight of Mrs. Donovan’s gaze made her feel like she was suffocating. Every muscle in her body tensed, but she couldn’t find the strength to lift her eyes. The silence between them only fueled Mrs. Donovan’s fury, and Talia could hear the sharp intake of her breath.
Mrs. Donovan’s face contorted with anger, her nostrils flaring as she stared down at Talia. "You already *knew*, didn’t you?" Mrs. Donovan hissed, her voice shaking with rage.
Talia’s lips parted, but the words barely escaped in a whisper. "Yes, Mother. I knew."
The calmness in Talia’s voice only seemed to ignite Mrs. Donovan’s fury further. She clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white as she took a
