Juliette's laugh rang through the hallway, light and effervescent as she looped her arm with Anastasia's, playing the perfect cousin. They spoke of random things—family gossip, dresses from the upcoming charity gala, the summer heat—and Juliet's smile never faltered.
Anastasia nodded occasionally, her lips moving automatically as her mind stayed far away from Juliet's words. She was thinking about how Juliette had reacted to the news , mirroring the normalcy Juliet so desperately projected. Her instincts, however, screamed otherwise. Something about Juliet felt different… something she had never paid attention to . But she didn't point it out , and just nodded.
Once back inside the Laurent mansion, Juliet excused herself with a small smile. "I have some business to attend to, Stassi .Let's catch up later, okay?"
Anastasia nodded, keeping her expression neutral with a smile. "Of course."
