Chapter 54

WARNING: This chapter contains violence not suitable for young readers. This is a work of fiction but still, you may find the scenes distressing enough so I highly encourage everyone to stop reading if underage. Thank you.

I tightly shut my eyes, tears streaming down my cheeks. The regrets of yesterday flooded my mind. There were moments when I had complained about the life I lived, not realizing that someone like Veronica had been working tirelessly to take my place. Memories of my mother's final moments rushed back to me. She had expressed her happiness at my birth, despite being abandoned by those she thought would protect her. She had told me that I was her only treasure, her one hope in a world that seemed determined to see her fail.

I could barely recall her voice, but her scent and her warm embrace were etched deep within my memory. Though our time together had been short and devoid of many happy moments, I knew she had always been by my side, silently guiding me. I had harbore