Aniela sank into the armchair, her fingers nervously tracing the fabric as she glanced at her mother.
“Why did you tell them?” Olivia asked softly, her voice laced with curiosity and just a hint of worry.
Aniela shifted uncomfortably, twisting her hands together. “I… I ran out of excuses,” she admitted, her eyes flicking briefly toward Orifiel and Erelah, who were quietly observing from the doorway.
Olivia’s brows knit together. “What do you mean, ‘ran out’?”
Aniela exhaled slowly, trying to steady her racing thoughts. “I couldn’t keep hiding it anymore, Mom. Keeping secrets… it’s harder than I thought. I trust them, and… I thought you’d understand.”
“How could you?” Olivia asked, though the sharp edge in her tone softened almost immediately when she noticed Aniela’s tense expression.
