Benedict's POV
The stillness stretched endlessly, suffocating in its weight.
Every gaze in the chamber locked onto me, unwavering and hungry for my response.
Kaelen remained frozen in his seat, all color drained from his features. His grip on the armrests was so fierce that his knuckles had turned bone white, tendons straining beneath his skin. He appeared ready to shatter at the slightest provocation.
Victor stood at the hall's center, his breathing labored and harsh, as if the accusations he had hurled had cost him dearly. The damning words still lingered in the air, razor-sharp and impossible to ignore, designed to destroy me utterly.
And I possessed no defense against them.
Because every word was accurate.
I had murdered my brother.
