Chapter 58

Variants of dishes were spread across the table, though I hadn’t touched the portion already served to me. My eyes lingered on the plates, the food looking as innocent as ever, but my thoughts were far from trusting. The spoon shook slightly in my hand, unwilling to find its way into my plate. A knot of fear twisted in my stomach, the same thought spinning in my head—*What if mother poisoned it?*

Amory, ever observant, noticed my hesitation. “You need to gain some weight,” he said softly, placing a small portion of food on his own plate, offering a reassuring smile. He gestured subtly to eat the same dish as him. “Eat plenty,” he added, trying to coax me.

I glanced up at him, then quickly over to Elena, who had just entered the dining room. Her face was a mask of cold indifference as she dragged out the chair and sat down, eyeing the table like a battlefield. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes, instead focusing on my father.

“Are you feeling better? I heard you passed out,” I asked