Jade
I closed the door behind me, the silence inside as tense as the storm raging in my head. As I stepped into the living room, my mother stood there, wringing her hands, worry etched deep across her face.
“Oh, Jade…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Guilt twisted painfully in my chest, and I bit my lip, struggling to meet her gaze. I’d never seen her look so vulnerable, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Mom, I didn't... I mean, I just thought...”
“That Darius was your mate all along.” She shook her head, eyes full of regret. “And I forced him on you, Jade. I pushed you… I thought I was helping.” She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her face shadowed with pain. “It must have been unbearable.”
The sincerity in her eyes pierced through the defenc
