Celeste POV
Kai laughed again, that same hollow sound. "I don't know what I want anymore, Celeste. I don't know anything anymore."
Our mother, who was walking a few steps ahead of us with her usual regal bearing, suddenly turned and glared at both of us. Her eyes were sharp as daggers, and the message was clear: be quiet, stop drawing attention, behave yourselves.
Kai and I both fell silent immediately, years of conditioning making us obey without question. When Mother turned back around, I leaned closer to my brother.
"Lily didn't want to break up either," I whispered urgently. "This is all Mother's fault. She manipulated everything, pushed you two apart—"
"It doesn't matter," Kai said, his voice flat and emotionless. "The decision was for the best."
I paused mid-step, staring at hi
