“You always lie, Marian,” he cut in, disgust curling his lip. “You cry, you cling, you spin stories and pretend you’re the victim. But this time, you went too far.”
“Please,” I begged, choking on the words. “You know I loved her. I accepted her. I tried—”
“No!” His voice lashed out like a whip. “You couldn’t bear to see her happy with me. You wanted her gone because she carried the heir you couldn’t give.”
My tears blurred the torchlight, turning their faces into shadows. I couldn’t see who believed him. Maybe none of them did. Maybe it didn’t matter.
“She’s not even breathing,” I whispered. “How could you think I’d do this?”
Rydan stepped closer, his voice lower, more venomous. “You were always a burden. I tolerated you because I had to. You gave me a child, but even that—” he scoffed. “A daughter.”
“She’s still yours,” I whispered, heart breaking.
“I needed a son. And Amara will give me one.”
He turned and walked away then, not bothering to look back. The others followed, silent. No one questioned him. No one helped me.
They left me there, alone. Pregnant. Bound. Condemned.