Chapter 8
Selene stared at Thorne, stunned disbelief flickering in her eyes.
“You know this has always been my dream,” she whispered painfully. “You know how long I’ve worked toward this. And now you ask me to give this honor to Marina?”
How could he suggest it so casually–as if her lifelong effort meant nothing?
“I won’t agree to this,” she said firmly, voice shaking.
Thorne’s brows furrowed sharply again. “It’s just one ceremony, Selene. Marina isn’t like you. She’s fragile, frightened about the Soul–Binding Ritual. All she wants is this one small wish before the ritual. As her sister, can’t you grant her even that?”
Selene felt tears sting her eyes. How could he speak about it so lightly? It was as if everything she’d ever fought for was worthless.
Everything Marina desired had always been handed over willingly no matter the cost.
“I’ve already agreed to give Marina my heart,” Selene’s voice trembled with barely contained bitterness. “And now, must she also take
the one thing I poured my soul into?”
Thorne flinched, visibly shaken by her words,
Outside the door, Marina’s delicate sobs suddenly filled the silence. “If you don’t agree, I won’t go through with the ritual!” she wept dramatically. “The ritual is so dangerous. What if something goes wrong and I never wake up? All I wanted was this one little wish. If you won’t grant it, I might as well just die now!”
Overtaking
Cedric immediately rushed to Marina’s side, panic overtaking him. “Don’t say such things, Marina! Dad promises–I’ll make it happen!”
With determined strides, Cedric turned sharply toward Selene, his voice an uncompromising order. “This opportunity will go to your
sister. End of discussion.”
But Selene stood her ground, shaking her head in defiance. “The Elders invited me–not her. That opportunity represents everything
I’ve worked for. It’s mine.”
Are you
Cedric’s face darkened dangerously. “Marina is your sister, Selene. Why must you always be so selfish? Are you determined to see her die is that what would finally satisfy you?”
Selene’s eyes filled with tears, but still, she refused to yield.
Cedric stared at her coldly, anger boiling beneath his surface. “Fine,” he growled, pulling out his spirit stone in front of her. “If you insist on defying me, then say goodbye to that precious workshop of yours.”
His voice was cruelly calm. “Do you think I won’t send someone to dismantle your entire atelier right now? Tell me which is n important to you: the ceremony or your so–called lifework?”
more
Selene felt her body tremble in shock, her eyes widening with disbelief. Was this really her father? Using her deepest vulnerability to manipulate and break her down once again.
Her fists clenched tightly, nails biting painfully into her palms. She knew Cedric wasn’t bluffing–he had always been ruthless enough to carry out his threats.
Thorne stepped closer, softening his voice, attempting persuasion. “Selene, please don’t be stubborn. There will be other ceremonies in
the future. Just let Marina have this one.”
Tears slipped down Selene’s cheeks even as she laughed bitterly. She looked around at these people–her family, husband, child- every last one aligned with Marina.
“Fine,” she whispered finally. “She can have It.”
Raising her head, she glanced around the room, heartbroken and defeated. “Are you satisfied now?”
Chapter 8
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They exhaled visibly, tension casing from their faces as they turned toward Marina.
Only Selene remained where she stood, head tilted upward, eyes closed as tears silently fell. The last trace of light faded slowly from her gaze, leaving only empty darkness behind.
That night, Thorne returned carrying a steaming bowl of seafood porridge her favorite. The fragrance was rich and inviting, yet Selene lay motionless, utterly indifferent, eyes vacant.
Beside her bed, the ruined sketches–her precious designs–lay discarded in the trash bin.
Thorne approached gently, bringing the spoonful of porridge carefully toward her lips. Selene merely turned away, indifferent and
cold.
Silence stretched between them until Thorne finally sighed and set the bowl aside. “Eat it yourself, then,” he murmured quietly.
After he left, silence reclaimed the room. Selene stared at the porridge for a long moment before lifting it slowly and dropping the bowl into the trash.
The next morning, she found Marina waiting in the corridor, her eyes glittering with satisfaction.
“What good is talent, Selene?” Marina’s voice was soft yet sharply triumphant. “In the end, every opportunity you ever dreamed of still ends up in my hands.”
Chapter B
