Chapter 112

Maya’s POV

Elias and I took our seats on one side of the long, polished wood table, the surface gleaming under the muted afternoon light filtering through half-drawn curtains. Opposite us, Adrian, Sabrina, Thomas, and the others settled in their chairs, forming a hush-charged semicircle. Before anyone could speak, Adrian caught sight of Tara lingering uncertainly by the doorway and quietly asked her to stay in her room until the adults had finished talking. Tara nodded, shoulders slumping, then slipped away without a word. The sound of the closing door echoed in the sudden, expectant silence.

A tense hush filled the space as the group on the far side of the table prepared to speak. Every pair of eyes flicked to Adrian. He sat with his back rigid, hands folded neatly on the tabletop, fingernails tapping an anxious rhythm. Though he looked poised, he seemed to be gathering himsel