With a broad smile, I call out to Julie to come over and motion for her to join us by the window.

"What do you want?" Xavier asks her, his gaze intent. I notice a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

"I came to check on both of you. How are you guys holding up with the bombshell Elara dropped?" Julie asks, her concern evident.

"Not so bad," I reply with a shrug.

"So, Xavier and you are twins? Gosh, it's so hard to believe. You look nothing like twins," she remarks, her eyes widening in surprise.

Xavier chuckles softly, his mood lighter now. "Tell me about it," he replies,...