Mariam stood frozen, her breath lodged in her throat as the officer's words replayed over and over inside her mind like a nightmare refusing to fade.
Kira's fingerprints matched with the culprit who attacked Mrs. Bennett at the party.
The room suddenly felt too bright… too loud… too small.
Her knees wobbled. The station floor seemed to tilt under her feet, and her vision blurred.
"Mariam!"
Anna rushed forward just in time, wrapping an arm around the older woman and catching her before she could collapse.
Mariam clung to her sleeve, trembling violently. Her thoughts were spiraling—frantic, broken—trying to make sense of what Kira had done. Trying to make sense of how the girl she raised… had gone this far.
"Officer, give them a minute," Kathrine stepped in, signaling the officer back when he moved toward them. He nodded respectfully and stepped away, giving them space.
