Elodie grabbed Lily by the arm and led her straight to the testing room.

Every batch of materials had to be thoroughly inspected-meticulous data, strict protocols, nothing less than perfection. If even a single step went wrong, the entire collaboration could be compromised.

This was military business; there was no room for error.

Their partnership was vital for the technological strength of the coming years— one misstep could ripple out in all directions, with consequences that would last for decades.

Elodie couldn't afford a moment's carelessness. The testing process would take anywhere from two weeks to a month, and as the team lead, she couldn't allow a single oversight.

It was painstaking work. By the time they finally finished, nearly three hours had passed.

When things quieted down and the others moved to another room to compile results, Elodie paused for a breath. She reached for a glass of water, but her phone buzzed—a message from Esmeralda.

I just heard something. A mutual friend told me Queenie... had a late-term miscarriage. Something happened, and she lost the baby.

Elodie was taken aback.

Queenie had been visibly pregnant-she was always so slim, but her belly had been obvious. Elodie was never certain how far along she was, but it must've been well into the pregnancy.

And now, at such a delicate stage, everything had ended so suddenly?

Esmeralda followed,

she

argued with Ivan

through. All of

voice trembled between anxiety and

come back, it

Elodie frowned.

Queenie-it must've devastated her. At that late stage, the blow would be

reply to Esmeralda, she turned around-and was startled to find herself face-to-face

no idea when he'd entered. He stood there,

storm in

you get here?" Elodie couldn't help the sharpness in her voice, her brow creasing as she instinctively

watched her, taking

eye contact. He kept closing the distance unti she found herself pressed up against the

I'm not supposed to hear?" he asked quietly. "Should I

but his

hiding the truth-he'd

the possibility that Ivan's wedding might

met his gaze head-on.

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