Dragnelle nodded slowly, her pen gliding across the notebook with a deliberate rhythm. "I'm so sorry," she murmured, her tone laden with sympathy. She looked up, her eyes meeting Mioura's with what seemed like genuine understanding. "That must have been devastating. Do you remember what time that was?"
"8:30, I think," Mioura replied, her tone sharpening slightly, a defense against the rawness of the memory. "He usually went for a swim around seven. Breakfast by the pool after."
Dragnelle made a note, her pen scratching lightly against the page. "And when was the last time you saw your sister?" she asked, her tone calm and inquisitive, without a trace of judgment.
Mioura hesitated, her fingers tapping softly against the table. "Three weeks before she died," she said finally, her voice measured but tinged with reluctance.
Dragnelle blinked, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise. "Three weeks?" she repeated, her tone light, as though seeking clarity rather than challenging. "That surprises me. I thought twins would see each other more often."
Mioura's head snapped up, her defensiveness sharp and immediate. "Is that strange? When did you last see your sister?" she fired back, her words a challenge, her tone cutting.
Dragnelle chuckled softly, the sound warm, almost self-deprecating. "Touché," she said, her smile broadening just enough to diffuse the tension. She leaned back, her eyes glimmering with a touch of humor. "All my sisters are gone," she said lightly, the words almost a whisper, carrying a weight that belied their casual delivery. "Tragic, really. I miss them every day."
Mioura's composure faltered for a brief moment, her shoulders stiffening before she recovered. "Well, your family then," she said quickly, her tone gaining a dismissive edge. "Your mother, father, husband?"
Dragnelle's smile didn't waver, though her eyes darkened briefly, a flicker of something cold and fleeting. It was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Ah, families," she said lightly, waving a hand as though brushing away an unwelcome thought. "We're like islands sometimes. Close in proximity, but not always connected."
The corner of Mioura's mouth twitched, though she said nothing.
Dragnelle leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening. "This must be incredibly hard for you," she said gently, her voice low and intimate. "Losing a sister… well, I can't imagine."
Mioura exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "You'll hear this anyway," she began, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness. "So I'll tell you myself. The last time we were together, we had a fight."