A Flicker Of Hope

Meliza's POV

The air in the dining hall felt thick—so thick it was suffocating.

Everyone sat frozen in stunned silence, their eyes darting at Ethan after Camille left, trying to piece together what had just happened.

Camille had bolted from the room the moment she saw him.

Her face had gone pale, her hands trembling, her breath hitching as though she had seen a ghost. She hadn't spoken a word, hadn't demanded an explanation—she had just turned and left as if the mere sight of Ethan had been too much to bear.

Elijah remained calm through it all—too calm. His expression barely shifted, and his fingers tapped against the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm. I had no doubt he wasn't surprised.

He had known this would happen. Eli had expected it.

But the rest of the guests were left scrambling for answers. And before anyone could recover from Camille's dramatic exit, another storm entered the room.

Andrew.