Swans pped their pristine wings, stirring ripples across Mirror Lake.


    Mrs. Chambers, with her gaunt, almost ghostly visage, froze in disbelief. Her bulging, reddened eyes fixed on Evadne''s resolute expression:


    "You''re... married? You have a husband? When did this happen... How is that even possible?!"


    "Mrs. Chambers, I have no reason to lie to you, it''s true."


    Evadne tried to soften her tone, yet her stance remained unyielding. "My husband


    and I have known each other for over a decade. I''ve loved him since my childhood, always dreaming, always hoping, to one day be his wife.


    Together, we''ve faced countless trials and tribtions, and now, we''ve finally united. My dream hase true.


    Thus, there will be no other man in my life. I''m sorry to disappoint you."


    "This can''t be... It''s impossible!"


    Mrs. Chambers, teetering on the edge of hysteria, clutched Evadne''s delicate hand until it turned red. "You and my Ave grew up together, you''ve always been so kind to him, and his heart has always been set on you. He wouldn''t marry anyone else!


    Ave told me everything about you two, he never mentioned... you were married!" The more Evadne listened, the colder she felt, her heart pounding like a drum.


    For so long, Avery had woven a tapestry of lies for his mother, a woman gued by Alzheimer''s, whose mental state fluctuated wildly-sometimes not even recognizing her own son. Why concoct such an borate falsehood?


    Avery was malicious and maniptive, every action of his meticulously nned.


    What was his endgame?


    "Evadne... my son has only you in his heart and eyes, he''s been so good to you... how could you do this to him?!"


    Mrs. Chambers''s eyes turned bloodshot as she trembled uncontrobly. "What does Ave mean to you, then?!


    No, you can''t be with anyone else... you''re my daughter-inw, you belong to Ave! You can''t be with another man!"


    Dealing with someone so deeply afflicted was challenging; they could be stubborn, irrational, and prone to outbursts.


    Yet even so, Evadne could notfort her by entertaining Avery''s fabrications. Not even a well-intentioned lie.


    Her lips, her body, her heart... would never betray her love.


    "I''m sorry, Mrs. Chambers, but no matter what you say, I won''t choose Avery. Not just because I''ve never had feelings for him, but also because we''re from two different worlds-light and dark."


    Evadne''s eyes zed with an almost inhuman intensity. "Your son has hurt my loved ones, my love."


    Memories of those Avery had harmed flooded Evadne''s mind, her chest aching as she clenched her fists tightly. "How could I possibly be with such a man? I was born in the light, and I refuse to drown in darkness.


    Mrs. Chambers, if you truly care for me, if you truly wish the best for your son, then I implore you to persuade him to turn himself in. To stop his descent into the abyss of sin. Otherwise, all that awaits him is utter ruin."