Julia's brows slowly furrowed together.
“This has to be a joke… right?” she asked, her voice tense. A flicker of concern passed between them as she took a cautious step closer. “Cathie, tell me this is a lie. I didn’t hear anything like that. And you know why I’m here—for you.”
Before Cathie could respond, Helena let out a dramatic sigh, full of feigned compassion.
She reached for Cathie’s free hand, holding it as if to offer comfort, her fingers warm and intrusive. Then she lifted it slightly, almost as if presenting proof.
“I’m truly saddened,” Helena began softly, “that my sister was rejected on the very day of her engagement.” Another exaggerated sigh followed. “On that day… she was caug—”
“Stop.”
Cathie ripped her hand free.
Her voice came out hoarse and raw, slicing through t
