Chapter 16
Marina’s face was nearly as pale as Moira’s.
Lydia stepped closer, causing Marina to stumble back in fear until she was pressed against the wall, eyes wide and trembling, “I didn’t know… I swear I didn’t know anything.
Still pretending, even now.
Lydia wanted nothing more than to rip apart Marina’s false facade, but she knew that would be letting her off too easily.
Looking straight into Marina’s tear–filled eyes, Lydia spoke deliberately, each word sharp as a dagger. “Do you truly think you’ve won?”
“You are the reason Selene is dead. Your parents, your child–everyone will always remember what you’ve done. You’ll forever be marked as guilty, and you’ll never again hold your head high before Selene. Never again will anyone blindly take your side.”
True fear finally flickered vividly across Marina’s face. Her legs weakened beneath her, and she sank slowly to the floor.
Seeing Marina’s collapse, Lydia turned away, carefully guiding Selene’s remains onto the ceremonial carriage. She then turned toward Thorne, who stood lost and dazed. “I’ve found Selene’s resting place. You will never find it. Never taint her grave with your presence “again”
Thorne stood as though his very soul had been ripped away, agony etched upon his features. “She’s really… not coming back?”
He refused to believe it.
Ignoring the uneasy gazes of those around, he suddenly called out desperately, “Isn’t there a lunar bond? Isn’t she bound to return until the bond is complete?”
“Why? Moon Goddess, show yourself! Why hasn’t she returned this time?”
Passersby stared at him as if he had gone mad.
fearful
Marina looked at him and reached hesitantly toward him “Thorne…”
Thome harshly shoved her hand away, his gaze turning cold and fierce as it fixed upon Marina’s chest–the heart that had belonged to Selene!
Everything was because of Marina.
If not for this ritual, Selene would still be here; none of this would have happened.
He had never regretted anything more deeply than he did now.
now beat there
Marina recoiled sharply, terrified by the look in his eyes–it was as if he intended to tear out her heart with his bare hands.
When Marina was finally brought back to her chamber in the Healing Spire, her face was bloodless.
Moira had already regained consciousness, though she still seemed disoriented. Upon seeing Marina in bed, she murmured quietly, “Selene.”
H
Marina’s expression contorted in distress.
Shaking, she whispered, “It’s my fault. I caused my sister’s death”
“I’ll give back this heart. I’ll give my life to Selene ”
With a sudden, frantic motion, she seized a small knife from her bedside table and aimed it toward her chest.
Cedric quickly grabbed her wrists, preventing her..
Moira, who usually cherished Marina above all else, merely watched coldly. “Selene is already gone. Who exactly are you putting on this act for?”
Chapter 16
Marina trembled violently.
Moira had never before spoken to her like this. Such harsh words, when directed at her, felt unbearably painful.
Even Cedric, eyes reddened, whispered hoarsely, “That heart belongs to Selene. You must never harm it.”
Marina stared at him in disbelief.
Her two dearest family members had utterly changed.
Their positions had reversed completely from what they once were.
Marina’s panicked eyes caught Thorne standing silently at the doorway. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded desperately, “Thorne, do you also blame me? Do you also think I caused Selene’s death?”
“But I really didn’t know. Why does everyone blame me?”
Marina sobbed heart–wrenchingly, the kind of tears that would have drawn immediate comfort and sympathy in the past..
Yet now, no one moved to console her.
Thorne merely watched her, finally speaking quietly, “Did you truly not know?”
Chapter 16
