Nicholas Vault pov
"Nicholas, your sister.."
"You should go to your room now, Mother," I snapped before she could continue, my voice sharp enough to silence the entire hall.
"This is not the first time Elena disappears, so stop being dramatic."
The words came out colder than intended, but I genuinely had no patience left for that woman tonight.
Neither her nor my father had ever understood how to control panic. Weak people always drowned in emotions first before logic could save them.
Still, Elena missing this late at night unsettled me more than I cared to admit.
Ivy remained standing near the staircase, pale from Mother's outburst. Her wide eyes moved carefully between us while confusion lingered all over her face.
"You should go inside," I said again, lowering my tone this time.
