Chapter 1

Juliette made a massive spectacle of the trial.

Every citizen in the city-state gathered around the altar. The square was packed tight.

I was dragged to the altar by Juliette’s guards.

After years of surviving on wild herbs in the forest, my body was incredibly weak. I had no strength to fight back.

Like a true sinner, I was forced to face the judgment of the entire city.

A man lunged forward, grabbing my throat and screaming, "Olivia, why did you protect him?! You evil bitch! You ruined my family! Why don't you just die?!"

He choked me until my vision went black.

The crowd was boiling over with rage.

"She's cursed by the gods! Her friend was assaulted, and she knows who did it but won't say a word!"

"Her friend jumped off a cliff, and she didn't even open her door when the poor mother was bleeding from begging on her knees!"

"She’s disgusting! Put her to death!"

The insults washed over me like a tidal wave.

Juliette stood off to the side, watching it all with cold eyes.

Aside from Chloe’s family, there was no one in the world who hated me more than Juliette.

Ten years ago, Chloe, Juliette, and I were inseparable.

But after Chloe was attacked in the woods and took her own life, my relationship with Juliette shattered.

Because in Chloe’s suicide note—written in her own blood—she mentioned that I saw the attacker.

I instantly became the villain's accomplice.

And the truth was, I really did protect the killer.

Juliette marched up to me, her face like ice, her voice completely hollow.

"Olivia, I'll give you one last chance. Swear to the gods right now. Tell us who it was, and it's not too late. Because once the Mirror of Truth is activated, Athena’s divine power will crush every bone in your body. You won't get another chance to speak!"

My face went pale. I struggled and screamed, "Juliette, no! You can't look at those memories!"

Juliette grabbed my arm hard, gritting her teeth. "Scared? You don't get a say in this! I am getting justice for Chloe!"

I shook my head frantically, tears streaming down my face as I begged, "Juliette, listen to me. My memories can't be shown! You're going to regret this!"

Juliette scoffed, leaning in with bloodshot eyes. "Regret? My only regret is ever being your friend!"

She raised her hand. Two guards immediately slammed me against the marble pillar, binding my wrists and ankles with heavy iron chains.

Despite my thrashing, they held me down as the cold Mirror of Truth floated above my head.

Instantly, golden light pierced my skull and drove straight into my mind.

I started convulsing, screaming in agony as it felt like my very soul was being ripped apart.

Even then, the crowd showed no mercy.

They threw garbage and rotten food at the stage, screaming curses at me.

"Medusa! Bitch! Go to hell!"

Meanwhile, my memories projected from the Mirror of Truth, expanding in mid-air like a giant screen.

My past began to rewind.

The first memory played for all to see.