Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rejected and Banished; The kids are his.: Kabanata 221 - Kabanata 230

Eva's POV.I was careful not to step too hard on the floor to make any noise as I walked along the passageway, every corner of this house had ears; I had learned that lesson early.I was halfway down the corridor when a figure slipped out from the shadows, startling me enough to draw my hand toward the dagger I kept beneath my sleeve. “My lady!” I heard a familiar voice whisper quietly.It was Marisol, the maid I had struck a deal with days ago, she looked around frantically before closing the distance between us, her hand clutching my sleeve as though her life depended on it.My heart pounded at her desperation. “What are you doing lurking like this?” I murmured sharply, glancing up and down the passage.“My lady, I... I need to tell you something,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “Something important.”I stilled her with a hand. “Not here. Do you want the walls themselves to carry your words to Aragorn’s ears? Come.”Without waiting for her response, I guided her quickly down t

Eva's POV.I lingered in the shadow of the kitchen corridor, my back lightly pressed against the cold stone wall as I tried to steady my breathing. My palms were beginning to get sweaty, and my heart an uneven drum inside my chest, it was as a result of the plan brewing inside me, a risky one it is, but I have to speak to Selene. My pulse quickened whenever I thought of the consequences of her ratting me out to Aragorn, because what if her loyalty lies heavily with him since he has leverage over her? But everytime I felt that way, I reminded myself of the reason I was here: Nicklaus, our marriage, our peace, how do I achieve that without taking risks to that effect? Marisol had signaled me earlier, a quick flick of her eyes as she carried water jugs past my room. It was her subtle way of saying now’s the time. She had seen something, and I trusted her judgment. That was why I found myself here, pretending to be nothing more than a bored guest hovering around the kitchen door.I adju

Eva's POV.I tried to hold control my breathing as I walked alongside Aragorn, Lady Tory, Nuela, and Elder Magnus, the people I despise the most, it was taking everything in me to keep my look straight and not make an irritated face, my irritation had grown after what I have heard about the head chef. I followed silently as we approached the path that led down toward the estate’s wide gates, where a carriage waited patiently for us.I kept my eyes lowered, hands folded in front of me as though I was merely a submissive follower among them, but in truth my mind was running wild. Every step I took felt heavy. This meeting outside the border would certainly hold more information, allies, and truths that I could use, but I couldn’t afford to follow them this time. Not when I had plans that could only be executed if I stayed behind.I had to act. And act well.Just as we drew closer to the carriage, I let my foot deliberately twist against the floor , my body leaned forward with just the

Eva's POV.The door creaked open at last. My heart thudded as I stepped away from the shadows.Selene appeared, her arms still steadying the heavy tray though it was empty now, only crumbs and a few smears of sauce left. Her face was pale, her lips pressed tightly together and her eyes watery with something she was clearly trying to suppress.Before she could fully notice me, I pushed away from the wall and stood directly in her path.Her entire body jolted. The tray nearly slipped from her fingers."M... My lady,” she stammered, her eyes widening, “what are you doing here?”I folded my arms across my chest, keeping my voice calm, though my pulse hammered against my ribs. “I think the better question, Selene, is what you are doing here.”She froze, her lips parting and closing again like a fish out of water.“I... I was just… delivering food,” she whispered.I took a deliberate step closer, my eyes narrowing. “Food to who?”Her throat bobbed. She looked left, then right, her body angl

Eva's POV.I slammed the door shut behind as we walked out of the room. For a moment I just stood there in the hallway, frozen, my hand pressed tightly against my chest as if that alone could quiet the wild pounding of my heart. My stomach churned. My throat was dry, yet I could still taste the bitterness of nausea threatening to rise.I had never… never in my life seen such horror.And I could not unsee it now.Selene was watching me carefully. Her eyes darted to the corners of the corridor, her shoulders tense. “Now you know,” she whispered, her voice trembling yet carrying the weight of years of suppressed agony. “Now you’ve seen what he keeps hidden.”I swallowed hard, my mouth opening and closing like I was trying to breathe air underwater. “Selene… those people... ” My voice cracked. “Those screams, the faces… my goodness, how long… how long has this been happening right under everyone’s noses?”Selene pressed her lips together. “Too long,” she said. “Too many years, each week