The skies of Redwood were storm-stained on the occasion of Sophias return. Remarkably crisp it fairly bit with frost, the clouds hanging like bruises above the mountains. But she did not feel the cold. As she got out of the carriage she walked into the courtyard of the Redwood estate with her cloak trailing behind her like a battle standard. This time, Sophia didn’t come as a guest, she came with a purpose of revenge. She hadn’t come to heal wounds. She had come to finish what Chloe started. To destroy the woman who wore guilt like perfume and moved through power circles with polished lies. Maddy. --- The Charade Continues Inside the grand council wing, laughter rippled from the central hall. Maddy’s voice rose above the others—syrupy, glittering with mock humility. “…I told Etha

