Elisabeth's POV
The quiet between us felt thick and oppressive. Nearly twenty seconds dragged by before Candace finally spoke, breaking the tension with a soft exhale. Her attention moved from Alana to me, then dropped briefly to my midsection.
"Congratulations, I suppose?" she said, and the genuine warmth in her voice threw me completely off balance.
I stared at her, speechless, unable to process the unexpected sincerity.
Alana, however, was ready with a sharp retort. "I know you're obsessed with following Mandy around like some deranged stalker, but showing up here? That's psychotic behavior, even by your standards."
Candace's face hardened as she focused on Alana. "Must you always be so hostile?"
"Must you always be such a complete witch?" Alana fired back.
