#Chapter 99: Connections

Audrey As I sipped my tea, I couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place in Claudia’s lavish dining room. The fine china clinked softly as I set the cup down, my eyes wandering over the ornate decor. Even though it was just the two of us, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I, a human, didn’t belong here among such luxury. But it all became so, so much worse as the butler’s voice called out, “Mr. Edwin Brooks has arrived, madam.” Instantly, I felt my heart stop in my chest. No, no, no. It couldn’t be him. Why— Not even a moment later, a familiar voice cut through the silence. “Claudia, it’s nice to see you—” I turned, stiffly, and it felt as if time stopped when I saw him—Edwin—standing in the doorway, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. What the hell was he doing here? My fingers tightened around the delicate teacup handle, my knuckles turning white. If I gripped it any tighter, I might have broken the porcelain. The room fell silent as Edwin stood frozen