CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE - The Space Between Us

A few days later, Mara found herself back in the Noble Mansion, this time for a much more serious conversation. She sat on the couch, Cassius to her right and Clarissa to her left, the tension in the room palpable. "Okay," Mara began, her voice gentle but firm. "We're here to talk, really talk. No holding back, no sugarcoating. It's time to get everything out in the open. Who wants to start?" There was a long silence, both siblings looking uncomfortable. Finally, Clarissa took a deep breath. "I will," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Cassius, I... I owe you an explanation. For everything." Cassius nodded, his expression guarded but attentive. Clarissa clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her knuckles white. "When Mom and Dad died, I felt... lost. Abandoned. You seemed to handle it so well, throwing yourself into work, becoming this pillar of strength. And I... I didn't know how to cope." She paused, blinking back tears. "I was jealous of you, Cassius. Of your success, yo