Mark held the bottle out a little closer to Beatrice.
Beatrice froze. Her hand, still holding the bottle, remained suspended in the air, but her eyes widened as she stared directly into Mark's eyes.
Mark returned the gaze, looking straight into his mother's eyes, searching for even the slightest trace of humanity behind those eyes that always radiated power. But all he found was a reflection of himself that seemed alien.
"Why are you hesitating? Haven't you always assured me that this is the best supplement? If it was good enough for your daughter-in-law for three years, then it must be incredibly beneficial for your stamina during these difficult times."
Beatrice didn't respond immediately. She swallowed the dry saliva in her throat. The muscles in her face tensed, trying to maintain the mask of composure that had long served as her shield. The silence in the room lingered so long that the ticking of the wall clock in the corner sounded like the torturous blow of a hammer.
