Across the table, Emily finally lifted her gaze. Her eyes moved from Cixi to Rafael before she quietly shook her head to herself and returned to eating breakfast.
One by one, several family members rose from the table altogether.
First Tamara. Then Ursa. After that Rosetta. Others followed behind them.
Even while eating, Cixi could still feel the lingering hostility in the room pressing against her skin like invisible smoke.
And somewhere deep inside her chest, guilt stirred faintly at the thought that people had abandoned their breakfast simply because she sat there. Yet it wasn't her fault.
After their breakfast was over, Michael Crown finally spoke for the first time since everyone had started leaving the dining hall.
"Cixi, you are coming with me to the hospital now." His tone carried no room for negotiation.
Cixi quietly nodded her head without arguing. At this point, there was no use resisting something that was already decided.
