Helena's voice was barely a whisper. "How did it come to this? How did we fall so far?"
"Your husband's choices," Mara replied bluntly. "He destroyed your family and then died, leaving you to clean up the mess. That's how."
She moved toward the door.
"I'm going to step outside. You have ten minutes to decide. When I come back, you either agree to participate tomorrow night, or you refuse. Those are your only options."
Mara looked at Julian. "Keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."
Then she left, closing the door behind her.
Helena and Julian were now alone in the office.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Helena continued crying quietly, burying her face in her hands.
Finally, Julian spoke:
"She's very good at manipulation, isn't she?"
Helena looked up at him through red, swollen eyes. "What?"
