Liliana’s POV
Her words hit me like a quiet ripple, soft but far-reaching. My laughter faded, caught in the sudden shift of the atmosphere. The weight of her question tugged at my chest, and I felt my smile falter. My gaze dropped momentarily, unwilling to meet hers, as memories I tried to keep buried surfaced unbidden.
The lightheartedness of the moment slipped through my fingers, leaving behind a lingering ache I couldn’t quite shake. The warmth of the garden seemed to cool, and the soft murmur of the breeze through the flowers felt like a distant whisper. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my expression neutral, but the lump in my throat was impossible to ignore.
The laughter of the others around me quieted, replaced by a solemn stillness. I could feel their eyes on me, waiting, but I
