Everyone gathered in the dining room for breakfast. It was quiet, with an undercurrent of tension no one needed to speak about. Maria sat silently, her appetite nearly absent, but she forced herself to eat.
Once breakfast was over, they all made their way out to the cars waiting outside.
The drive to the safe house began. Beta Gilbert and Victoria were in the same vehicle, while Maria found herself seated beside Bernard in another.
He clearly looked uncomfortable being near her, but Maria didn't care. Whatever thoughts or judgments he had didn't matter right now—what she had in mind was far more important.
After what felt like a long and silent ride, they arrived.
Maria's eyes narrowed at the sight of the building. The safe house was massive, but it looked run-down and eerie, like an abandoned warehouse long forgotten.
Its filthy, decaying exterior sent a small chill down her spine.
