ose another loved one of mine. » Ayla's voice trembled slightly, her words heavy with

ng back now. Despite my determination, I could see the fear that clouded Ayla's usually calm demeanor. This wasn't just a family ma

is. Strap it to your non-exposed thigh. You know, just in case. And, take care of yourself there and don't do any re

ess where it would be hidden, but easily accessible if needed. The gesture felt heavy

he last time we saw each other, the last time I'd have the comfort of her presence by my side. After all, I was about to leave everything I had known behin

whispered, my voice t

d look. « You too, Lana. Don't forget who you are. » She smiled softly, but there was a

shimmered with each step. She was elegant, regal even, with a commanding presence that filled the room as so

, but there was a certain coldness to it, as though she

said the word, feeling the familia

eautiful indeed. Finally, living up to your mother's expectations. Married to a rich man, just as I requested. You saved our company,

. This was how it had always been with her. Cold, calculating, and always with a mot

breath, her tone laced with the frustration she ha

d gotten myself into by agreeing to marry Daniel. The same Daniel she disapproved of, simply because he wasn't wealthy e

ing day, I shall be nice, » she said, her words cutting through the air like a blade. She

t was pointless to argue with our mother. It had always been like this-her own

was a sickening sweetness to her voice now, as though she w

f, forcing a smile onto m

g to the surface, but I couldn't allow myself to give in to the anger. Today was

and pulled out a small, velvet box. She held it out to me with a certain

radition on my side of the family. This was handed down to me by my mother on

his was done out of spite, a way for her to show Ayla that she was still the favored one i

p at Ayla, meeting her eyes for a brief moment before offering her a sorry look. Ayla smiled back

s, the years of neglect. Today was about me-about stepping into my fu

, and I closed the box, tu

he room, I realized that the only thing that truly mattered was the people I was choosing to keep by my side. My sister, my fri

said, my voice steady a

something between sadness and understanding, be