LeahFor a brief moment, I simply looked at him.There it was. Clear. Unfiltered.When I had been dragged into prison, accused, nearly destroyed—he had not asked a single question.But for Ella— There was always time.Always concern.In my previous life, I had called that love.Now, I saw it for what it was. Choice.Alpha Agnes’s expression darkened immediately.“This is the Dowager Queen’s order,” she said sharply. “You are engaged. Your responsibility is to your fiancée—not to some manipulative, ill-intentioned girl.”Samuel’s jaw tightened, his head lowering slightly under the reprimand, though the resentment in his posture was impossible to miss.I let out a quiet, almost amused breath.“Grandmother,” I said lightly, “it’s alright.”Both of them looked at me.“I understand Samuel,” I continued, my tone calm, almost gentle. “He’s kind. If Ella is unwell, of course he would want to accompany her. That’s completely reasonable.”Samuel blinked, clearly caught off guard.“After all,” I
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