When Sophia finally rose, her limbs stiff, she didn’t feel broken.
She felt clean.
Raw, yes. But not bleeding.
She looked up now, meeting their eyes.
“I was young. I made a choice. It wasn’t the right one. But it was mine. And I have lived with its weight longer than most of you have held a sword.”
There was no quiver in her voice. No performance. No weeping dramatics. Just a quiet, unrelenting honesty that settled into the bones of everyone listening.
“If you wish to strip me of title or honor, do it now. But know this—I will not be blackmailed. I will not be manipulated. And I will not allow someone else to weaponize my pain.”
Gasps and murmurs stirred again.
Sophia took a breath. Her next words cut like a blade.
“Maddy. Would you like to say something?”
Heads turned.
Maddy st
