Chapter 119 - The Unbreakable Chain and a Glimmer of Hope

The cottage felt smaller as Mariella's words hung in the air. My chest tightened at the revelation. All these years, she'd lived with this burden—knowing she'd only delayed the inevitable, that they would come for me instead.

"Tell us everything," Alaric said, his voice low and urgent. He moved away from the window but kept glancing outside. "Every detail could matter."

My mother sank back into her chair, suddenly looking much older than her years. Her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of her worn shawl.

"After I married your father and had you," she began, looking directly at me, "I thought perhaps I'd escaped. For a while, I allowed myself to hope." A bitter smile crossed her face. "Such foolishness."

"What happened?" I prompted when she fell silent.