Earlier that day,
The villa was quiet after breakfast, sunlight filtering through the corridors in lazy golden beams, warming the hardwood but doing nothing to ease the tension curling in Kael's chest like a coiled snake.
His feet whispered against the floor as he walked down the hall toward the twins' room, his hazel eyes steady but heavy with purpose, the weight of his secrets pressing against his ribs.
The door was slightly ajar, a sliver of sunlight spilling through.
Inside, Lila lay curled sideways on her bed, a soft book cradled between her palms, her curly black hair shimmering faintly in the sunbeam that kissed her shoulder, her black eyes soft and unguarded.
She glanced up as Kael stepped in, her expression warm but sharp, a quiet question in her gaze.
"Hi Kael," she said, tilting her head, her voice sweet, soft as always, her black eyes glistened. "Do you need something from me?"
