The sound of Daphne's voice is like a spotlight, stripping away Isolde's rehearsals and all the control she'd built around herself. She swallows, shoulders tensing, and turns slowly to face her sister.
"I…" Her voice cracks before she can steady it. "I… I have to tell you something, Daph. It's… it's about Nash."
Daphne steps closer, eyes wide with curiosity and suspicion that makes her small features sharp. "Tell me you're lying," she sobs, vigorously shaking her head as she tries to reject the truth.
Isolde's chest tightens. She shakes her head, unable to lie. "I'm not."
The air in the room seems to thicken. The candlelight flickers across their faces, highlighting the tension, the fear, and the helplessness. Isolde steps forward cautiously, lowering herself to sit beside Daphne on the edge of the bed.
"You need to know the truth," she begins, whispering with the hope of forgiveness in her voice. "because I couldn't keep it from you any longer. Nash… he's my mate."
