The dining room froze like someone had hit pause on a movie. The twins were halfway through a bite of cake, chocolate smeared on their chins, staring wide-eyed at their father in the doorway. They couldn't understand what was happening.
Lila had her fork suspended in mid-air, eyebrows raised like she was waiting for the drama to unfold. Valentina's hand was still outstretched, as if she'd been about to grab another slice, but now her mouth hung open in shock.
Vera's eyes darted between her brother and Elias, her calm expression cracking just a little with worry.
Viktor stood there, caught like a deer in headlights, his hand still on his collar where the lipstick mark blazed like an accusation.
The mark was deep red, smudged but unmistakable against the dark fabric of his shirt. It wasn't fresh with dried edges, faded just enough to say it had been there for a day or two.
