"Mom, we need to talk."
Eleanor looked up from the documents on her desk.
Clara stood in the doorway, holding the wooden box she had received from Adrian Voss the previous evening. Arthur stood beside her, his expression unusually serious.
Eleanor's eyes immediately fell on the box.
For a moment, the color drained from her face.
"Where did you get that?"
"Adrian gave it to me."
Eleanor slowly put down her pen.
"You met him?"
"Yes. And before you ask, he told me about the covenant."
Silence filled the room.
Eleanor stared at her daughter for several seconds before leaning back in her chair.
"So he finally decided to tell you."
Clara's fingers tightened around the box.
"You knew about it?"
"I knew about the covenant."
"And you didn't think I deserved to know?"
"Clara, it wasn't that simple."
"Then make it simple for me now."
Eleanor stood and walked toward the window.
"Close the door."
Clara did.
Her mother remained silent for a moment before speaking.
