Chapter 39

• Ivy sat across from Victor at the dining table, her eyes cast downward, a hint of remorse on her face. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted the tension between them.
• "Victor, I'm so sorry for what I said yesterday," Ivy began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was completely out of line, talking about Sophia like that. I had no idea... I didn't know what happened."
• Victor's gaze remained fixed on his plate, his expression neutral. "You didn't know what happened?" he repeated, his voice low and even.