(Chapter 59:Mira's Pov)
The cold air bit at my skin as I stood before the grand estate, the place I once called home but never truly belonged. Shadows stretched long over the marble steps, and the iron gates behind me groaned as they locked shut. There was no turning back now.
Lillian was expecting me.
I squared my shoulders, forcing my breath to steady, and stepped inside. The scent of jasmine and something darker—something rotten beneath the surface—clung to the air. Servants scurried away at the sight of me, their eyes darting toward the grand staircase where she waited.
Lillian stood at the top, her lips curving in a slow, knowing smile. "Mira, darling," she drawled, descending with deliberate grace. "You've finally come to your senses."
"I didn't come for pleasantries." My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn't regret it.