Just that sentence. Only that single sentence.
And Miss Celia stopped talking.
Her lips trembled, but no more words came out. Her shoulders sagged, her gaze fell to the floor, and a crushing silence swallowed. Guilt clung to her like a second skin. She didn't have the courage to lift her head—to meet their eyes.
A suffocating stillness settled over the group. Not a single soul moved. Time felt like it had been forcibly halted, frozen in that one moment. And yet, amidst that silence, it was clear who took the brunt of the impact.
Mia Lancaster.
Cassius's sister.
Her expression… Absolutely blank.
As if the gears of her mind had stopped turning altogether. Her small frame stood motionless, trembling ever so slightly, her arms limp at her sides. Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Her wide eyes were fixed on Miss Celia's downcast figure, staring as if she were trying to understand what had just been said.
