Alie stopped slowly upon reaching the main hall. She saw her parents and sister greeting the Queen, who was warmly welcoming them. Seeing her own parents felt strange. Because she had completely detached herself from them.
"Alie, co here! Your parents have co," Mabel said, turning slightly toward her.
She walked to them and with half-hearted expression, she greeted them.
Samyra embraced Alie with maternal warmth, gently caressing her back.
"The bump is starting to show," she said with a tender smile. "Are the symptoms getting worse? How are your mornings these days?"
"Not worse. They are usually better," Alie replied softly, managing a gentle smile. Her eyes shifted toward her father. "I thought you would be arriving in the afternoon or evening."
"Her Majesty was kind enough to send a private jet for us," David responded gratefully.
Alie’s gaze moved to the Queen, who stood a short distance away, her expression poised with a faint, graceful smile.
"Your Majesty," Samyra said, stepping forward, "we brought a few small gifts for you and the royal family."
"That wasn’t necessary," Mabel replied with a courteous tone. "But you’re welco to present them."
"Ooh! Let’s see what Alie’s parents brought for !" Katelyn chid in playfully.
Samyra chuckled and handed two elegant gift bags to the princess, who accepted them with a bright smile and a cheerful thank-you.
"You may place the rest of the gifts here. His Majesty and the princes have gone to attend the council eting today," Mabel instructed. "You all must be tired from the journey. Lester, are the rooms ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lester replied with a respectful bow. "Please co this way," he told Alie’s parents, including Flora.
"I’ll show the room to Flora. Which one is it?" Katelyn volunteered, rising to her feet. "Alie, go with your parents."
Lester politely told the directions to Katelyn, who nodded and took Flora with her.
The Queen simply watched them, especially Alie, whose indifference toward her family was more than visible.
As Katelyn and Flora arrived in the guest room prepared for her, Katelyn turned around to look at Flora.
"Aren’t you ashad of your act?" Katelyn questioned bluntly.
Flora didn’t utter a single word, but lowered her gaze in sha.
Flora remained silent, her eyes dropping to the floor in sha.
Katelyn halted in her tracks and slowly turned around to face her. "Alie is far too kind to you. That’s the only reason you’re still allowed to tag along beside her," she said coldly. "But how could you? How could you do sothing so vile to your own sister?"
Her voice sharpened with fury. "Do you even manage to look at yourself in the mirror every morning? If you can, then perhaps you truly are as wicked as I feared. I know everything, Flora. I know you tried to harm Alie, and that you ordered Alex to kill her, no matter the cost."
Flora flinched at the words, but Katelyn continued in her brutal tone.
"And yet, you had the audacity to show up here, to her wedding reception, as if nothing ever happened." Her eyes narrowed as they filled with disgust. "If you’re here hoping for Alie’s forgiveness, don’t bother. Forgiveness is reserved for mistakes, not cris. And what you did wasn’t a mistake, it was a cri."
Katelyn’s voice dropped to a scornful whisper. "You’re unbelievably lucky that Alie still calls you her sister. But for your own good, don’t show your face at the reception. Stay here. Reflect on the damage you’ve done, and maybe then you’ll understand what it ans to lose soone who only ever tried to love you."
With a final glare, Katelyn gave Flora a hard shove on the shoulder and walked out, leaving behind a suffocating silence for her.
Tears stread down Flora’s cheeks, but for once, she didn’t bother to wipe them away.
Katelyn’s words hadn’t just pierced her heart, they had struck her like a slap of truth she could no longer deny.
In that mont, she finally understood why she no longer belonged why she would never be accepted among her own. In their eyes, she wasn’t just a mistake, they would forever see her as a woman stained by sin.
Her knees buckled beneath the weight of guilt, and she collapsed onto the floor, her sobs echoing in the quiet room.
’I thought if I stayed close to my family, if I truly repented, things would slowly begin to heal,’ she thought, clutching her arms tightly around herself. ’But nothing will change. Not for . I have to leave, disappear for good. Go sowhere far away, where no one knows what I’ve done. Only then will I be able to breathe again... even if it ans living alone for the rest of my life.’
"What are you doing on the floor?" Alie’s calm voice reached Flora’s ears.
Startled, Flora hurriedly wiped her tears and scrambled to her feet. "I... I sprained my foot, so I was just..."
"You were crying," Alie interrupted softly, arms folding across her chest. "Just admit it."
Flora hesitated, then lowered her gaze. "Did Kate say sothing to you?" Alie asked, her eyes narrowing with concern.
"No," Flora replied quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. She finally turned to face her sister, her fingers twisting anxiously in front of her.
Alie studied her for a mont. "Your face says otherwise," she said, letting her arms fall to her sides. Without pressing further, she crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her.
"Co, sit here," she offered.
Flora blinked in confusion, unsure if she heard her right. Her brows drew together.
"What are you waiting for?" Alie asked again, tilting her head gently.
Flora slowly walked over, her steps uncertain, and sat hesitantly beside Alie on the edge of the bed.
"How’s the pack treating you?" she asked. "I imagine not very kindly, now that everything’s out in the open. That’s how it is, isn’t it? A woman is often blad, whether she’s guilty or not. anwhile, a man’s wrongdoings are forgotten most of the ti."
Flora clenched her hands in her lap, unable to find the words.
"Whatever Alex did to both of us... I don’t want it spoken of anymore," Alie continued. "He’s gone now. He doesn’t deserve a place in our conversations. What matters now is you, not what he did."
"Don’t give up on life, Flora. That’s all I ask from you. I know the pack’s been cruel, they never needed much reason to turn cold. But if you want... you can co live in San Ravendale. Start over. I’ve already spoken to our parents. They may be moving there too."
Flora’s breath caught in her throat as she lifted her head, eyes wide with disbelief. She stared into Alie’s face, as though unsure whether she had truly heard her sister’s words.
"You... you’re giving a chance?" she whispered.
"Yes. Because no matter what happened... you’re still my sister. And it’s a chance I also want to give to our parents."
"But how did you find out what’s happening in the pack?" Flora asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Did Mom tell you?"
Alie shook her head. "No. Zander did. He told everything... how they’ve been treating you. You were bullied, ignored, like a shadow no one wants to see. It must be unbearable just to walk among them."
She paused, her gaze distant. "I rember how they used to mock too. People can be cruel. They’re quick to judge, quick to turn their backs toward you. It doesn’t take much to sway a crowd."
"I’m sorry, Alie," Flora whispered, her voice cracking. "I regret everything I did to you, every single day. I know my sins can’t be washed away, but... I don’t want to die." Her chest began to rise and fall rapidly. "I think about it. I think about ending it... but... but—"
Her breath hitched as panic surged through her, and she clutched her chest. Her breathing turned sharp and shallow.
"Flora?" Alie’s eyes widened in alarm. "Flora! Breathe, take deep breaths!"
Seeing her sister gasping, Alie quickly sprang to her feet, ran to the window, and flung it open, letting the fresh air flood into the room.
She rushed back to Flora’s side and rubbed her back gently but firmly. "You’re okay. Just breathe. In... and out." Alie guided her and after a while, she felt Flora was better, she poured a glass of water for her.
"Drink it," Alie said.
Flora did as tears again brimd in her eyes.
Alie took the empty glass from her and placed it on the bedside table.
"Do you feel better? Was it a panic attack? Since when are you getting them?" Alie asked in worry.
"It started not long ago," Flora admitted. "Can I hug you?" she questioned.
"Hmm."
Flora wrapped her arms around her sister’s and shut her eyes tightly. Tears escaped her eyes as she whispered, "Forgive , Alie. Please."
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