The silence that followed Viktor's words was absolute.
Then—
Bella moved.
Her whole body trembled violently, the white robe Mira had given her shaking as she stood frozen in place. Her yellow cat eyes—wide, glassy, overflowing—stared at Viktor's back. He stood there, his hand still raised from where he'd let the torn contract pieces flutter to the floor.
"Young... Lord..."
Her voice broke.
Viktor started to turn, that cocky smirk still playing at his lips—ready to deliver another crude line, no doubt.
He didn't get the chance.
THUD!
Bella launched herself at him.
Her small body crashed into his chest with enough force to make him stumble back a step. Her arms wrapped around his torso, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt, clinging so tight her knuckles went white.
And she 'sobbed'.
Not quiet tears. Not delicate sniffles.
Full, body-wracking sobs that tore from her throat in broken, hiccupping wails.
