and sparkling conversation, now felt heavy with unease. Aurora perched stiffly on a velvet armchair, her auburn hair spilling over her shoulders, her sharp green eyes fixed on the detective. Victor

he room as if searching for answers in the shadows. His broad shoulders and tailored su

xpress my gratitude for your cooperation. I understand this is a difficult time, but I must be candid-Jonathan We

s widened in shock, Victor's jaw tightened, and Rose let out a

g across the room. "This was no acc

like a thunderclap, rever

by one of the officers. She moved with a quiet grace, her blonde hair catching the light, cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. Her blue eyes, striking a

ced the details: the faint dusting of freckles across her nose, the soft cur

t this moment was different. His tall frame, the chiseled lines of his face, and the storm of emotions swirling in

the moment. "Miss Scott, thank you for coming.

om. "Yes, I've been overseeing Mr. Westwood's medical care for the pas

in the house at the

administering his afternoon medication and completing my

y. "Can you confirm what medic

ets," Vanessa replied. "As always, I logged the details i

"Mrs. Westwood, I'd like to revisit our earlier conversation

g rigidly, nodded slowly. "Y

ything unusual about his b

d Victor and Rose before settling back on

ing, but the staff reported hearing raised voices betwee

er of panic crossing her face. "We had a disc

the discuss

gaze shifted to Vanessa, then back to Harris. "It

isive laugh. "Private? That

ora snapped, h

on shifting to Victor. "Mr. Westwo

. "Let's just say Dad wasn't exactly the

voice cracked, her hands gr

s tone firm. "If you have relevant info

tirade. Finally, he said, "Let's just say their 'discussions' weren'

ra. "Mrs. Westwood, were yo

ching for an escape. "Yes," she admitted finally. "We were arguing

ing about ending the ma

gripped the armrest. "I... might have mentioned a div

emed to hold

tral, but his tone was firm. "Why

pped. "Yes, I was angry with him. Yes,

under his breath, earning

g information during a murder investigation is a serious matter.

it seemed she might say something more.

ing room, his mind racing. He glanced toward Vanessa, who ha

s steps measured. "Van

s. There was something unspoken in her gaze,

faint freckles on her nose, the way her blonde hair framed her features.

amilies are resilient in ways we don't expect. But secrets have a way of

. August nodded, his gray eyes searchin

expression that seemed to carry more weight

ssing down on them, August couldn't shake the feeling

the house creaked with unspoken truths, a storm w