Chapter 24

Hannah’s Pov

I didn’t realize how nervous I was until my hands started shaking.

Not slightly.

Not softly.

Actually shaking.

“Miss Hannah…”

Tianna’s voice was gentle beside me.

“They will be here soon.”

Soon.

That word alone made my heart race faster.

Soon… I would see her.

My mum.

I pressed my palms together tightly, pacing across the large room like I had done at least a hundred times already.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Like I was waiting for a result that would change my entire life.

Which… I was.

“Are you sure she’s alright?” I asked again.

That had to be the tenth time.

Maybe more.

Tianna smiled softly, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

“The royal guards escorted her personally. She will arrive safely.”

I nodded slowly.

But it didn’t calm me.

Not completely.

Because until I saw her with my own eyes

Until I touched her

Until I heard her voice

I wouldn’t believe it.

The past few days had been unbearable.

Empty.

Lonely.

Cold.

Ever since I told the triplets I wouldn’t be their sex slave…

They disappeared.

Just like that.

No arguments.

No threats.

No punishments.

Nothing.

They simply ignored me.

Like I didn’t exist.

At first, I thought I’d feel relieved.

Happy, even.

But instead

The silence crushed me.

The palace felt bigger.

Colder.

Lonelier.

But today…

Today changed everything.

Because my mum was coming.

My chest tightened suddenly as the distant sound of carriage wheels echoed faintly outside.

I froze mid-step.

My breath catching in my throat.

“Did you hear that?” I whispered.

Tianna nodded.

“Yes.”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs.

Once.

Twice.

Faster.

“They’re here.”

I didn’t wait.

I didn’t think.

I just ran.

Out of my room.

Down the hallway.

Ignoring the maids calling after me.

Ignoring everything.

All I could hear was my heartbeat.

All I could feel was hope.

Hope that she was okay.

Hope that she was alive.

Hope that this wasn’t just another cruel twist of fate.

By the time I reached the grand entrance hall, my chest was rising and falling heavily.

My feet slowed.

Just slightly.

The doors opened.

Slowly.

And there she was.

For a moment

Everything stopped.

The world.

The noise.

The air.

“Mum…”

The word came out as barely more than a whisper.

She looked smaller.

Thinner.

Weaker than I remembered.

But it was her.

Still her.

Still alive.

“Hannah…”

Her voice cracked slightly as she said my name.

And that was all it took.

I ran.

Straight into her arms.

The moment I touched her

Everything broke.

Tears poured down my face before I could stop them.

Hot.

Heavy.

Uncontrollable.

“Mum…”

I sobbed into her shoulder.

“I missed you… I missed you so much…”

Her arms wrapped around me tightly.

Weak.

But desperate.

“Oh my baby…”

Her voice trembled.

“I missed you too…”

I held her like I was afraid she’d disappear if I let go.

Like she would fade into smoke if I loosened my grip.

“You’re here…” I whispered.

“You’re really here…”

She pulled back slightly, her hands cupping my face.

Her fingers were colder than I remembered.

Thinner.

Fragile.

“You look thinner,” she murmured softly.

Concern filled her tired eyes.

“Are they feeding you well?”

Despite everything

A small laugh escaped me.

“I should be the one asking that.”

She smiled faintly.

But it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I was worried about you,” she whispered.

“So worried.”

Fresh tears burned behind my eyes.

“I’m okay, Mum.”

That familiar lie again.

Her gaze lingered on my face.

Studying me.

Reading me.

Like only she could.

“You’ve been crying,” she said quietly.

Not accusing.

Just knowing.

I forced a small smile.

“I’m just happy you’re here.”

She didn’t look convinced.

But she didn’t push.

Not yet.

Behind us, the guards quietly moved away, giving us space.

Respecting the moment.

I held her hand gently, afraid to squeeze too hard.

Afraid she might break.

“Come,” I said softly.

“I’ll take you to your room.”

She nodded slowly, leaning slightly on me as we walked.

Her steps were careful.

Slow.

Painful.

Each step made my chest tighten.

Because seeing her like this

So weak

Made everything inside me ache.

We walked through the long hallways together.

Silently.

She glanced around the palace slowly.

Taking everything in.

The high ceilings.

The shining floors.

The endless space.

“This place…” she murmured.

“It’s beautiful.”

I nodded slightly.

“Too big sometimes.”

She gave me a small smile.

“You always liked small places.”

That made my throat tighten.

Because she remembered.

Even now.

When we finally reached her room, the maids were already waiting.

Fresh sheets.

Warm water.

Clean clothes.

Everything prepared.

She looked surprised.

“Is all this… for me?”

“Yes.”

I squeezed her hand gently.

“You deserve it.”

Her eyes watered slightly.

But she blinked the tears away quickly.

“Sit,” I said softly, helping her onto the bed.

Carefully.

Slowly.

She exhaled softly as she settled.

Looking tired already.

I sat beside her.

Not too close.

Just enough.

For a few moments

Neither of us spoke.

We just sat there.

Together.

Quietly.

“I was scared,” she said suddenly.

Her voice barely above a whisper.

My chest tightened.

“Of what?”

Her gaze met mine.

Deep.

Heavy.

“That I wouldn’t see you again.”

That broke me.

Completely.

“You will,” I whispered quickly.

“You will see me every day now.”

She studied my face carefully.

Then nodded slowly.

“I trust you,” she said.

But something about the way she said it…

Made unease settle deep inside my chest.

Because even in this moment…

Even in this happiness…

Something felt wrong.

And I couldn’t explain why.