Her tone, her eyes—she looked so determined, like she truly meant it.
But I didn’t believe a single word.
“Is that so?” I asked.
She nodded repeatedly. “Aria, trust Mom, alright? This time… Mom wouldn’t disappoint you again.”
I looked at her—
That expression of “I’m willing to do anything for you” was far too familiar.
So familiar that it was fake.
A faint sneer curved at the corner of my lips.
“Alright.”
Her breath visibly loosened, even a smile appearing on her face.
But in the next second, that smile froze.
I spoke:
“As long as you drove Evangeline out of the house and severed the adoption—then I’d forgive you.”
Her fingers clenched tight around her clothes.
Her whole body went rigid.
I stared straight into her eyes, unblinking.
What I gave her wasn’t a choice—it was a b
