Hazel’s POV
Martha sighed deeply, like she was finally letting go of a heavy burden that had been crushing her for years. Her shoulders slumped as fresh tears filled her eyes. She looked older in that moment, worn down by secrets and pain.
“Liora’s father was one of the council members,” she began, her voice shaky. “I was just an ordinary maid back then. He started coming around, showing me attention. I told him to stop. I begged him to stay away because he had a wife. But he had power. He could summon me whenever he wanted, and I had no choice.”
She paused, swallowing hard. Her hands twisted together.
“One day… he took advantage of me. There was nothing I could do. Nobody would believe a maid over a council member. Then I got pregnant. He told me to keep the child….I was devastated be
