The room froze.
Cassandra stood by the doorway, her chest gently rising and falling from her jog, her cheeks flushed with exertion—and something else. Her violet eyes were locked on the two of them, hands still clasped in a handshake.
"What deal?" she asked again, but her tone this time was lower, colder.
Penelope hesitated for a split second, then forced a calm smile as she stepped forward.
"Sweetheart, Jayden's going to be your new bodyguard," she said softly, her voice laced with hopeful pride. "He accepted the offer. Isn't that wonderful?"
Cassandra blinked once. Then again.
Silence.
Then she let out a short, sharp breath through her nose—something between a scoff and a laugh.
"You're kidding, right?"
Penelope's smile faltered. "No, I'm serious. I thought it was a good idea—"
