The silence in the room after the gunshot was deafening, the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on everyone. Ruddy's body lay still, the bloodstain spreading across his chest like a dark omen. Kiara couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else.
"Mike," she whispered, her voice trembling as she reached for his arm. "Mike, are you okay?"
Mike stood frozen, his gaze locked on Ruddy's lifeless form. His hands shook, and for a moment, he didn't respond. Kiara gently squeezed his arm, trying to pull him back from the shock of what had just happened.
He blinked, finally turning to face her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
Kiara swallowed hard, her throat tight. "I know. It wasn't your fault."
