Through the ashes

pte

rs are ready, so we c

ed on the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, hollow and distant, t

eye, I caught his expression-strained I would say. Maybe he was having a mental conflict I

right now and I totally understand why, but you have to understand-

side me, a tempting urge to spin around and shout, "What bulls

ly, my face blank. My stillness unsettled him, his jaw tightening at my stillness, a small crack in his otherwise polished demeanor.

ressed on. "Emma... look, marrying into the

h..

, their reputation spotless. The problem wasn't them. It was Evan-the heir, the one I was expected to chain

trust myself to speak without

so... about the other day. I-" He paused, his expression briefly clouded with somethin

better. Like his hollow apology could er

voice quiet. "I know it sounds ridiculou

hat d

ons gone. "Don't." My voice was low yet dangerous. Then louder: "Don't you

fear that I had towards him vaporized instantly. "You have no right to talk a

ngela wasn't just a name. She was my mother, my anchor, the one person who'd seen me-who had

he weight of his presence felt suffocating, and the ghost of my mother's

ally spoke, his tone clipped. "We'

ng the door ajar as his foo

I tried my hardest to hold back the tea

er-and her unwavering strength. She used to tell me that a woman's strength didn't come from power or mon

ne I felt too powerless to navigate. And yet, deep down, I knew she w

weakness that had consumed me. I thought of the anger that had flared up just now w

ning in my chair as I met my own gaze in the mirror.

y voice barely audib

at honored her memory, one that didn't involve losing mys

ng the turmoil within me. The cars were waiting, and

One way or an