Elias’s POV

I felt Mara’s hand leave mine immediately, as if she were terrified grandma would catch on. I looked at her, seeing her shift her gaze to another angle. I looked at grandma.

"When did you return?" I asked, still surprised .

She opened her mouth to say something, her hand reaching out as she tried to take a step toward me, but then her body swayed. Her eyes rolled back slightly, and she stumbled.

"Grandma!" I surged forward, catching her by the elbows before she could hit the marble. I felt the frailty of her bones beneath her silk robe. I carefully guided her to a nearby armchair,...