Fractured Trust
Morning brought no peace. Ethan sat in the dining hall with Victoria, the air thick with unspoken tension. Clara joined them moments later, her expression calm but distant.
They ate in silence — until Victoria finally said, "Any news on Eleanor?"
Ethan set his fork down. "Damien's tracing the last signal from her phone. We'll find her."
Clara's eyes lifted briefly, but she said nothing.
Victoria looked between them. "You two can barely look at each other. Whatever Isabella said—"
"Victoria," Ethan cut in, his voice low. "This isn't the time."
Clara stood, forcing a polite smile. "No, she's right. Maybe this is exactly the time."
Ethan looked up, jaw tight.
"You think I betrayed you," Clara said, her tone trembling with restrained emotion. "You think Isabella was right. That everything I've done was for money or pity."
Ethan's silence was answer enough.
She laughed bitterly. "You can fight everyone else's battles, Ethan. But you won't fight for us."
She walked out before her tears could fall.
Victoria exhaled shakily. "You're losing her, Ethan."
He rubbed his temple. "She's safer angry at me than in danger because of me."
But even as he said it, he couldn't believe his own words.