The silence cut like glass. Mia’s voice still lingered in the air, brittle and dangerous.

“What baby were you talking about?”

Carol and Claus exchanged a single glance. It was quick, sharp, and wordless. Claus’s jaw ticked, but before he could open his mouth, Carol was already stepping forward, her tone dismissive, as if Mia had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

“Your baby,” Carol said smoothly, her lips curling in a wry smile.

“Your miscarriage.”

Mia froze, the ...