Aveline remained frozen in Kael’s arms, her mind struggling to hold on to the memory that had suddenly returned. The garden. The old tree. The wooden swing that creaked whenever the wind blew. Her father standing beside her with a worried expression. And the little boy who had once promised he would come back for her. Everything felt like pieces of a forgotten dream, but this time the memory was clearer than ever.
“Someone in our family couldn't be trusted,” Aveline repeated softly.Kael looked at her carefully. “Do you remember who your father was talking about?”She shook her head. “No. I only remember his voice.”
Elena stood a few steps away, silently crying. When Aveline looked at her, her mother quickly wiped her cheeks.
“Mom,” Aveline said, “you know something.”Elena looked down.“Yo
