Maya stood in the grand hallway of the Evergreen mansion, the polished floors and towering arches familiar yet imposing. Her body still felt heavy from the encounter, her palms still faintly throbbing from the marks her nails had left, but her resolve burned brighter with every step she took.
She couldn't face this alone—not yet. Her pride refused to let her confide in Astron, not with the weight of her other self's accusations still fresh in her mind. Instead, she sought someone closer, someone who understood the intricacies of their family and the shadows that often loomed over them.
Her brother, Alden.
