Staring intently at Eli, Fortunata's clouded eyes narrow as she catches the fierce, possessiveness in his posture. But instead of looking at Eli, her gaze shifts directly to Nikolai, whose knuckles are turning white around his silverware. "The General always fed his lady first," Fortunata murmurs suddenly, her frail voice carrying clearly over the chatter. "Before the battles, before the march... he always made sure she was fed."
The table goes dead silent.
Jojie and the Riveras laugh it off nervously, assuming it's another fragment of her slipping memories.
Nikolai freezes, the white-hot rage in his chest catching in his throat. He locks eyes with Fortunata, realizing the old woman isn't just muttering—she is actively recognizing the mirror image of a past life playing out right in front of her.
Eli feels a sudden, unexplainable chill at the word 'General,' his grip on Belle's chair tightening instinctively.
