Dominus and Martha eventually began to investigate the situation themselves. They contacted Lauren's friends—those who had accompanied her to the Thunder Domain.
One by one, the pieces began to fall into place.
Even her friends were stunned by her reaction to the news of the clan's destruction. They had never seen Lauren cry before—never even seen her frown in a way that hinted at vulnerability.
To them, she had always been composed, unreachable, a girl of ice and focus. Hearing that she had locked herself in her room and broken down was something none of them could process.
Dominus and Martha were equally confused. A boy, single boy had caused this?
But Lauren emerged from her room a few days later before they could confront her.
At first glance, she looked… normal, as if nothing had happened.
But Martha saw it immediately. Her daughter's already-cold expression had become colder. The walls Lauren had built around herself were now higher, thicker, and impenetrable.
