As Zara stepped in, Lina approached her, smiling and using sweet tones.
"Zara, dear, come in. I made dinner just for you," she cooed, reaching out to take her hand.
The warmth felt fake, almost suffocating.
Zara let herself be led into the dining area.
At the time, Lina noticed the limp. Her smile wavered. "What happened to your leg?"
Isaac's gaze followed, locking onto the bandage wrapped around Zara's ankle. "How did you get hurt?" he asked with feigned concern.
Zara dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "Just a sprain. Nothing major." She pulled her hand free from Lina's and sank into the nearest chair. "I'm not here to enjoy your food or pretend we are some happy family. So let's skip the drama and get to the point."
The forced cheer in the room vanished like mist. Lina and Isaac exchanged a brief, knowing look. Their masks dropped, revealing the agenda beneath.
