Gianna couldn't speak for the first five minutes after Athena's confession; maybe even longer. Her silence was profound, encasing them both in a heavy atmosphere that felt almost tangible.
There was a type of blank expression on her face, the kind that spoke of numbness and disbelief—the horror of it all was overwhelming. How cruel the world could be, and how could this happen to her friend, to such a good woman?
Gianna remembered meeting Scarlet only once. Athena had made the introduction, describing her as a brilliant colleague in the hospital. Scarlet had lit up the room with her confidence, possessing killer looks that could captivate anyone lucky enough to witness her charm.
Gianna recalled the first glimpse of Scarlet's infectious laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her work. She had left that meeting feeling inspired, and when the tragic news of Scarlet's death had reached her, a wave of sadness had washed over her.
