Mary Ann’s POV
My mother’s question struck harder than I expected.
“Is there another woman?”
For several seconds, I could not speak.
The healing garden remained quiet around us. Water moved through the narrow stone channels, and a light breeze touched the white flowers climbing the wall. Everything looked peaceful, but my chest had tightened so sharply that breathing felt difficult.
I turned away from my mother.
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
She noticed.
Luna Sterling had spent my entire life recognizing every lie before I finished speaking. As a child, I could not hide stolen pastries, unfinished lessons, or secret tears from her. Becoming Luna had taught me how to control my expression before elders and strangers.
It had not taught me how to deceive my mother.
She stepped
