?Chapter 556:


    Bryan’s gaze softened, yet turmoil still lingered in his eyes, like a storm refusing to settle. Finally, he nodded, reluctantly yielding to my plea.


    Relieved, I leaned into Bryan’s embrace, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat, yet my thoughts kept circling endlessly.


    “Your Highness, when I first discovered I was pregnant with your child, I struggled to ept it. But as time passed, as we shared more moments, I believed you could be a wonderful father. It’s just a pity… there won’t be a chance for that now.”


    Bryan’s entire body tensed, and he held me closer, almost as if he wanted to fuse my very soul with his.


    We stayed like that, entangled, as though all the pain and bitterness that had stood between us had finally begun to melt away. In that moment, time seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of our hearts beating together, creating a rhythm that felt eternal.


    I had no idea how long we remained that way. But by nightfall, I left Bryan’s quarters to return to my own.


    As soon as I entered, theforting aroma of home-cooked…


    Food wafted from the kitchen, and Evie and Alice were busy preparing dinner. The moment they spotted me, they paused, joy lighting up their faces.


    Evie beamed. “Makenna,e sit. We made plenty of dishes you like.”


    Alice nodded warmly. “Evie prepared them just for you. They’re all good for you; you have to try them.”


    I smiled, feeling a small warmth kindle in my heart, and took my ce at the table. Gazing at the spread of familiar dishes, I felt my mood lift ever so slightly. I took a bite, savoring the vors that tasted like home, and before I knew it, my appetite had returned. I found myself eating more than I expected.


    Watching me, Alice and Evie exchanged relieved smiles, gently encouraging me to eat even more. Iughed, praising them between bites. “It’s delicious. You’re getting better every time!”


    L?t?st chαpt?rs in g??lnovels.??????


    Evie’s face lit up. “As long as you enjoy it, we’ll make it as often as you like.”


    Alice nodded, her eyes bright with warmth.


    That night, we chatted endlessly, reminiscing about the past until midnight, when I finally coaxed them into sleeping.


    Afterward, I returned to my room, quietly opening a drawer and, with trembling hands, pulled out the pill yton had given me—the one that would make me appear dead.


    “It’s time to go…”


    Setting the pill on the table, I began to pack away the things I couldn’t bear to leave behind. Then, I ced a final letter on my bedside table, one I had written earlier.


    After organizing everything, I reached for another small vial yton had given me; this one had once contained real poison but was now empty. I held the bottle in my hand, making it appear as though I had ended my life with that poison.


    Once I was confident that every detail was ounted for, I took a deep breath and swallowed the pill, feeling my body’s strength ebb away, leaving me weak and immobile, though my mind remained clear. Iy silently on the bed, awaiting the moment someone would discover me.


    I couldn’t say how long I had been there when I heard a gentle knock on the door, followed by Alice’s familiar voice.


    “Makenna, it’s time for breakfast!”


    When I didn’t respond, she called again, her voice a bit more…


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