chapter

Mara's Pov

We went into the room, Talia was still there sobbing, crying her eyes out. Talia's eyes pleaded as we approached her.

Talia's knees bulked, her body crumbling to the ground, she buried her face in her hands, and uncontrollably sobs ran down her cheeks.

"Talia, what are you still doing here? I asked anger and rage surging within me.

"Mara, please," she begged, her voice cracking, please forgive me.

But I stood firm, my heart hardened by Talia's deception. "Talia, there's nothing left to say," I said, my voice cold.

Talia's face contorted in desperation. "Mara, forgive me," she insisted, grasping my arm.

I shook her off. "Don't touch me," I warned.

Talia's eyes welled with tears. "Mara, I love Rhys," she whispered.

I laughed, and bitterness echoed through my voice. "You never loved Rhys Talia," I spat. "You loved what he represented, what he could offer: wealth, security, status."

Talia's face crumpled. "That's not true," she protested.

"That's the exact truth, Talia, I know