For the briefest instant, Cedric stopped.
His eyes widened ever so slightly before narrowing in dark disbelief.
"...Well." A slow, bitter grin spread across his face. "I certainly wasn't expecting this."
Inside the cell, Mathias's breathing caught in his chest. The moment his eyes locked onto Olivia's, his entire body went rigid.
He understood immediately.
Every cold word. Every calculated smile. Every deliberate lie.
She was walking willingly into the lion's den—and he was completely powerless to stop her. His chained fists tightened until the rusted iron groaned violently beneath his grip.
"...Olivia."
His voice was barely more than a ragged whisper in the damp cold, but she never acknowledged him. Instead, she calmly turned toward Cedric, her silver hair catching the faint torchlight.
"What is wrong?" A faint, mocking smile curved her lips. "Have you suddenly forgotten how to speak?"
Cedric let out a quiet chuckle. "No..."
