Raisel – POV
Soren was asleep on the couch when I left. I couldn’t bear to face him, not today. The office felt hollow, the empty corridors stretching out in eerie silence. Only Gwen was there, huddled in her cabin, her eyes flicking between me and the clock. “You should be resting,” she said softly.
“I’ve rested enough,” I muttered, brushing past her. “I’m falling behind.” I motioned for her to follow me to the pantry, where I fumbled for the coffee machine, trying to steady my trembling hands.
“I don’t want to... gossip,” Gwen whispered, her voice cutting off as if the words were dangerous to say aloud.
I gave a bitter smile. “Gossip? Nobody talks to me. They just give me polite smiles, pretend nothing’s wrong, and walk away.” My voice dropped. “But you, Gwen... you can tell me anyth
