Chapter 98

Aisla’s POV

That night, I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. My bag was still by the wall, unpacked, but I didn’t care. My mind was full, and I didn’t feel like closing my eyes. Sleep didn’t come easy to me anymore.

There was a soft knock at the door. I didn’t move at first, thinking maybe it was one of the brothers checking up on me again. But the door opened slowly, and it was my mother. She stepped inside quietly, as if she didn’t want to scare me away.

“Are you awake?” she asked in a soft voice.

I turned my head to look at her. “Yes.”

She came closer and sat at the edge of the bed. She looked different in the dim light of the lamp. Tired, but gentle. She reached out, brushing her hand against the blanket like she was nervous.

“How are you doing?” she asked, her voice almost trembling.

I didn’t know how to answer that. I wanted to tell her I was fine, but that would be a lie. I wanted to say I was angry, but that would only bring up more pain. So I shrugged. “I’m surviving.”

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