The word murderer echoed in the room, the accusation hanging in the air like poison. Esme's eyes widened, and a shiver of hurt ran through her. Her breath caught in her throat, her chest tightening with the weight of his words.
Before she could even think, her voice rose, cutting through the tension like a sharp cry for justice. "Jay!" she shouted, her voice booming louder than before, shaking with raw emotion. "Stop!"
Her shout was so powerful, so full of rage and desperation, that it reverberated through the house, sending Kai and Ryan rushing down the stairs in a panic. Jay froze, his body rigid at the unexpected force of her outburst.
For a moment, there was silence. Jay, taken aback, stood still, his own anger faltering as Esme's piercing gaze held him captive. It was the first time in a long while that anyone had seen her truly lose control, her voice so filled with grief and fury that even the coldest of hearts couldn't help but feel the weight of it.