A Pawn's Fury

Matthias fixed his gaze on Valerie, his lips pressed together in silence. 'What should I even say to her right now?' he wondered, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

Valerie pressed her lips together and said softly, "Mom, Gwen, could you please step out for a bit? I trust Matthias won't do anything reckless."

Gwen hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave.

But Miriam took her by the arm