The Opposite Reaction

“I saw you die.”

Elena’s voice cracked, barely above a whisper, and then she squeezed her eyes shut like she was bracing herself for the world to collapse.

She waited. Waited for the sharp laughter. Waited for the cold dismissal. Waited for Eleanor to call security, to have her dragged out of the office like some crazy woman who had finally lost it.

But nothing came.

The silence stretched out ins