C18 SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL

The board meeting ended in chaos.

Some board members were whispering urgently, others were furious, and a few avoided Amara’s gaze entirely as if guilt could transfer through eye contact. Tari stayed frozen in her seat long after the others filed out, her hands trembling violently.

When the room finally emptied, Tari looked up at Amara.

Her eyes were red.

Her mascara smudged