<h4>Chapter 366: Inherited every bit of it from me</h4>


    "Your Majesty, your presence around my daughter must be afort to her," Samyra said softly. "Even when I visit her now, she feels... distant. But I must live with that. It’s the price I pay for always hurting her."


    Mabel’s expression remainedposed, her tone even as she answered, "We both shareplicated bonds with our children. I treated Gabriel no better. When I discovered the truth, I was shattered. I ruined my rtionship with my son. I knew he would grow to hate me. What I didn’t know was that a witch’s trick had stolen him from me long before. You weren’t happy with what Amelie was, while I... I was terrified of losing Gabriel."


    Samyra gave a faint nod, her eyes heavy with understanding. "All we can do now is wait for them to heal."


    Mabel studied her for a moment before shifting the topic. "And what about Flora? Amelie often tells me she isn’t doing well."


    Samyra’s lips pressed together before she answered. "Flora only pretends to be fine. She chose to betray her own sister, and forgiveness is not easily given for that. Still... she is surviving, Your Majesty. And I hold on to the hope that one day, she may find happiness of her own." Her eyes gleamed with determination, as if she were willing hope into existence.


    "Of course! It’s alreadyte. We should return to our rooms before our husbandse searching for us," Mabel opined.


    Samyra smiled and inclined her head before excusing herself. Mabel, however, remained behind.


    Momentster, a man in his thirties approached, bowing respectfully.


    "Your Majesty," he murmured. "I’ve discovered the location where Ophelia wasst spotted."


    It was Jaxon, Mabel’s most trusted spy.


    Gabriel still watched his mother from the balcony. He stayed rooted in ce, wondering what she’s nning with this guy.


    "Where is she living?" Mabel asked.


    Jaxon retrieved his phone and disyed several photographs before sending a pin to her device. "I’ve verified it over two days. Ophelia has been residing here for thest fifteen years. But, Your Majesty... I strongly advise you not to approach her. It could be dangerous."


    Mabel’s jaw tightened. "I don’t care about the risk. I have to protect my son and daughter-inw."


    Jaxon inclined his head in understanding, preparing to say more, only for Gabriel to emerge, catching both of them off guard.


    "What are you nning again?"


    "Gabriel?" Mabel’s eyes widened before her expression hardened into authority. "What are you doing here?" She motioned quickly for Jaxon to withdraw.


    "Stay exactly where you are," Gabriel growled in a threatening tone, "unless you want me to rip your heart out."


    Mabel didn’t flinch. Instead, her tone was firm and controlled. She confidently lied to him, "Are you really going to stir up amotion in the middle of the night? I was only instructing Jaxon to remain vignt during the wedding festivities. Ophelia is still atrge, and we must be cautious."


    Gabriel chuckled darkly at her words. Jaxon shifted uneasily, his eyes flicking between mother and son, while Mabel kept herposure.


    "Seriously?" Gabriel’s tone dripped with mockery. "You think I’m a fool?" A deep furrow carved into his brow. Without waiting for an answer, he turned to Jaxon and snatched the phone from his hand. "Unlock it," he ordered.


    "Gabriel, that’s enough," Mabel interjected.


    "I won’t stop." His gaze burned into hers. "You’ve always lied to me. And I know you’re nning something again." His eyes snapped back to Jaxon, whose hesitation only fueled his fury.


    "Tell your loyal dog to unlock this phone," Gabriel said coldly. "If he refuses, I’ll take him straight to the King, and then, Mother, we’ll see how much of your truth survives." He tilted his head slightly, his eyes cutting back to Mabel, daring her to deny him.


    "I’ll tell you the truth. Just return the phone to Jaxon," Mabel said evenly.


    "Truth first," Gabriel snapped, finally turning to face her fully, his eyes sharp with usation.


    Mabel held his gaze without flinching. "Ophelia’s location has been discovered. I intended to visit her after the wedding festivities were over."


    Gabriel’s jaw clenched, his fury simmering to the surface. "You always do this. You always act alone! You knew it was dangerous to even track her, and still you nned to confront her yourself." His voice rose, each word ash. "Every single time, I try to soften toward you, to understand you, you destroy it. You say you love me, yet you look me in the eye and lie."


    His voice broke into a harsh bellow. "Do you know what that does to me? Every time you do it, I go fucking crazy! Why do you have to do this to me? Do you hate me so much that you can’t bear me seeing alive?"


    "Gabriel!" Mabel’s voice rose, her fists clenching at her sides. Her eyes shimmered instantly, brimming with tears.


    "How could you say that to me? Do you even realize what Ophelia did to me? You were so small when she poisoned me with her lies again and again. And I..." her voice cracked, "...I was just a mother trying to keep you alive."


    For the first time, her mask shattered. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.


    Jaxon lowered his gaze, understanding that he was witnessing something too private to intrude upon. Quietly, he stepped back, leaving his phone in Gabriel’s hand before disappearing in the night.


    "I’ve lived every moment of my life in fear for you," Mabel continued, "Can’t you see that? Everything I’ve done, all the lies, all the choices I’ve made, they were for you. I wanted to repent, but how can I when the past still festers? You think you’ve grown this terrible, stubborn will all on your own?" She shook her head, tears falling harder this time. "No, Gabriel. Thates from me. You’ve inherited every bit of it from me. I made mistakes, grave ones, and I have to make them right too."