Forgiveness

"You and my brother are divorced now."

Ella's voice rang out the moment Serena stepped into the breakfast room. The words hit like a slap, sharp and unprovoked. Serena stopped, her hand still on the back of the chair, and raised her eyebrows.

Ella hadn't spoken to her since Serena moved back to the Hawk residence. Nathan had said Ella was avoiding her out of guilt, but as Serena sat down at the table across from her, there wasn't a trace of guilt on Ella's face. Instead, her expression was icy, her lips pressed tight.

Serena studied her for a moment, trying to understand the change. Ella had always been warm in the past, welcoming her with open arms. Now, her hostility was unmistakable. The shift felt jarring, and Serena couldn't help but wonder why Ella was behaving this way.