Brandon's POV
The words seemed to echo long after the screen dimmed. Mum quickly grabbed the remote and switched it off.
"I don't want any of that at the table," she said firmly, though her voice trembled just slightly. "I know we're all shaken by what's happened, but we have to stay strong — for our family, and for your father. I don't want this affecting your studies or your day-to-day life."
Her gaze landed on me. "Speaking of — how's your audition prep, Brandon?"
I straightened in my seat, forcing my voice to sound steady. "Almost ready," I said quietly.
"Good," Mum replied with a faint smile, pouring tea into her cup. "Because tomorrow, we're all coming to support you."
The words lingered in the air like soft sunlight through the curtains — warm, yet heavy in their meaning. Seth nodded approvingly from across the table. Madison, who had just slipped into a chair beside me, gave an encouraging grin.
But it was Chloe's reaction that caught me.
