Stanley opened his mouth, then closed it, his throat working. Stanford exhaled shakily, his fingers running through his hair. Neither seemed to know where to start.
Mara felt her stomach twist. She had never seen them like this before.
She took a slow step forward, her voice softer this time. "Tell us."
Stanley swallowed hard, then finally lifted his grandfather's watch. The dim light reflected off its surface.
"We saw…" His voice faltered, and he clenched his jaw. "We saw Uncle Philip shoot Grandpa."
A heavy silence crashed over the room. Mara sucked in a breath. Steve's fists curled at his sides.
Stefan's face darkened. For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Steve's voice cut through the air, dangerously low. "Are you sure?" Stanford nodded, his expression grim. "We saw it happen. Uncle Philip killed him."
Mara's chest tightened, nausea washing over her. Their own uncle had murdered their grandfather again, he had rubbed them of another family member
