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CHAPTER 24: The Waters Parted
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2026-02-08 08:17:50Elizabeth slipped out of her dress and let it fall to the bank, the fabric landing in a soft, careless heap she did not bother to smooth. The chemise followed, then the scarf, damp and darkened where it had hidden too much. The air kissed her bare skin immediately—cool, honest, unafraid of what it touched.
She stepped into the stream. The water rose around her ankles, her calves, her knees, cold enough to draw a sharp breath from her chest. She welc
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