"We'll take our leave," Casaio announced, rising from the sofa. Dominick mirrored his movement, and the two brothers stepped away together. Katelyn, however, remained seated, watching the others go.
"May I say something?" she ventured softly.
Samyra inclined her head, curiosity mingling with patient expectation.
Before Katelyn could speak, Gabriel's voice cut through the hush. "You should go as well," he said in his firm tone.
Katelyn's eyes widened at the edge in his voice. "But, brother—" she began, only to falter when she met his stern gaze. Swallowing her words, she offered a hesitant nod, and quietly slipped out of the room.
"What happened to Dad?" Flora asked, her voice trembling as her heart pounded with fear.
Samyra explained everything to her, and with each word, Flora's expression crumbled. Her heart felt like it was being shattered into a thousand irreparable pieces.
