?Chapter 443:


    My chest tightened, dread creeping in. “What happened?” I demanded. “Why did he punish you?”


    “It’s that woman!” Gwyn cried, her sorrow spilling out. “Makenna poisoned his mind, provoking him into punishing me.” As she recounted everything, I felt something snap inside. Rage surged, hot and violent. “That vile, wretched bitch!” The words tore from me, and I nearly bolted for the door, ready to confront her myself. How dare she? How dare she ruin everything?


    Hayley grabbed my arm before I could act on impulse. “Molly, stop! You’re pregnant. You can’t just rush off like this.”


    “Calm down? You want me to calm down?” I shot back, my voice rising. “I’ve finally moved into Prince yton’s house. I thought I’d finally get closer to him, but that… that wretched Makenna has destroyed everything!”


    Hayley frowned, looking deep in thought. “Maybe… maybe you could go to the king. Report Makenna. He cares about the child you’re carrying—he’ll stand up for you.”


    “No,” I snapped, dismissing the idea immediately. “yton’s still his son. If I go to the king over this, it’ll only make matters worse. He’ll think I’m stirring trouble, and Prince yton will hate me even more.”


    Hayley’s shoulders slumped, and she lowered her head, clearly disappointed.


    I stood still, my mind racing for another way out, until suddenly, an idea struck. Alice. Makenna’s friend.


    A slow smile crept across my lips as I turned to Hayley. “Hayley,” I said, “Isn’t there a sex ve named Alice, the woman close to Makenna? Do you know anything about her?”


    Hayley hesitated, frowning in thought. “Alice… she’s good. Obedient. Nothing to fault her on in her daily training. Why?”


    My smile turned cold, my anger finding a new target. “It doesn’t matter how wless she is,” I said bitterly. “Find something. Anything. If Makenna’s untouchable, then I’ll break her by going after her friend.”


    Hayley squinted her eyes. “You have a n, don’t you?”


    “Of course,” I said with a sly grin, then leaned closer to her ear to whisper the details.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Evening settled in as yton left for official business, leaving me alone to unwind at home. I lounged on the sofa in the living room, watching Evie flit around like a busy little bee. My mind wandered back to the events of the morning, still struck by the memory of Evie’s raw strength.


    She had managed to push Gwyn so far—something that would have been impossible for most trained soldiers.


    Suddenly, Evie appeared beside me, offering a ss of orange juice with a shy smile. “Here, Makenna. Freshly squeezed—good for replenishing your vitamins.”


    “Thank you,” I said, touched by the gesture. “You’re always so thoughtful.” I took a sip, letting the cool citrus wake me up a bit before my curiosity got the best of me. “Evie, how are you so strong?”


    The question hit her like a gust of wind. Her face paled, and she fumbled for words, looking as though she wanted to disappear. “Um… I…” I didn’t want to overwhelm her, so I quickly jumped in. “Hey, it’s alright. Whatever the reason, you don’t need to be scared. I won’t judge.”


    At that, she exhaled softly, like a weight had been lifted. Her eyes met mine with a hesitant glimmer. “I’ve… I’ve been this way since I was a kid,” she whispered. “I don’t know why.”


    I raised an eyebrow. “Strong since you were a child? Then why do you let people push you around?”


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