🪷🪷 CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRRY THREE

I woke up before Kael, though "woke up" was generous—I'd barely slept at all. Every time I'd closed my eyes, I saw them. Kael and Lydia. Kissing. Touching. His hands in her hair. Her arms around his neck.

The images played on repeat in my mind like a curse I couldn't break.

I carefully extracted myself from the bed, trying not to disturb him. My eyes felt puffy and swollen from crying, but I didn't care. They'd go back to normal eventually.

I went through the motions of cleaning up—washing my face, brushing my hair, putting on a simple dress that accommodated my massive belly. All of it mechanical, automatic, like I was watching someone else perform these actions from a distance.

Then I left the room before Kael could wake up. I couldn't face him right now. I couldn't pretend everything was fine when I could still see that kiss burned into my memory.

I made my way down to the dining hall. It was early—the sun had barely risen—and the room was empty except for servants preparing for th