Under the table, Elle felt her knees trembling. Osmund’s casual observation felt dangerous, like a thread that, if pulled, could unravel everything. Allyna neatly cut a piece of fruit on her plate, her movements slow and deliberate. "We are just focusing on our breakfast, Osmund," Allyna replied smoothly, though her eyes hardened slightly as she looked at her not same vibe friend of Ronan. "There is nothing unusual about a quiet morning." Ronan folded his newspaper, his eyes lingering on Osmund for a fraction of a second too long, sharing a brief, heavy look that completely bypassed Allyna and Elle. "Osmund is right, though," Ronan said, his voice dropping to a slightly warmer, more intimate register as he addressed Osmund. "We should ensure everyone in this house is getting enough rest." Elle caught the subtle shift in her father's tone. The realization that everyone at this table was performing a highly calculated script made the air feel thin. Allyna sat beside Ronan, he
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