(Mia)

as I tried to adap

to me as if I had always been here even though my responses were a bit hesitant and un

man who claimed to be my mother c

est tightened at the sound. It wasn

h. I doubt she is, cause she never cared about hearing my side

t distinctly different. The gray eyes that stared back at me felt foreign. My auburn hair was now silver, s

s Maria Sinclair -knocked gently on

plied, my voice so

ly bake bread through the air and it went straight into my nostrils

d tears. "It's so good to see you up and movin

he contact, unsu

though my voice sounded

d-shouldered man. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, and his sharp, assessing eyes hinted

. I guess this is Mia's father's -or s

my voice uncertain as I tried

eed, landing across my cheek with a harsh slap. The sting of the blow l

you've done to this family? Do you realize the disgrace you almost bro

of the slap leaving m

"You think you can play innocent after trying to kill y

our pathetic stunt you pulled," he continued, his voice dripping w

lfishness? All my plans-you almost ruin

e weight of his words hit me. The a

duty. You'll marry him, and you'll keep your flithy mouth shut. That's the least you ca

ns and I expect you to be on your best behavior and

lt a surge of panic and confusion ros

the plan now, wheth

y chest clenched each passing second. "Yes, Fa

if nothing had happened. Maria glanced nervously between us but said nothing. The a

rning on my cheek, and the words kept echoing in my mind. I was trapped. This

**

d endlessly before me, its towering trees casting long shadows. My heart ac

a fresh wound. My fists gripped as

ath, looking up at the sky. "Why did you

thoughts. I turned quick

-a young man, probably a few years older tha

out, his tone car

how to respond. "Who a

ashing across his face. "It's me, Caleb. Did you hit

ories, though I couldn't place him. "I... I've just been feeli

Fair enough. But it's good to see you out an

murmured,

"You know, if you ever want to talk abo

kened. "What

you've been through hell. Whatever drove you

he was referring to Mia

mind," I said, fo

ng words lingered in the air. "You're strong

nto the woods, I le

I think." I s

me. This was not simply a second chance; it was an opportuni

ath, and I would find a way to exact ven

iful daughter of the Beta. But in my heart, I was