Chapter 344. Crumbling Resolve

Aurora’s POV

“I don’t believe you!” Maggie’s voice cracked as her eyes widened, her hands trembling at her sides.

“You’re lying. Ashton told me, he promised me...he said he was alive, that he was living his best life.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that tore out of me, sharp and bitter. “Maggie, do you even hear yourself? A person who has mastered the art of lies and deception for centuries can twist your mind as easily as he twists everyone else’s. Don’t you see? He’s playing you.”

“No!” she snapped, shaking her head so violently her hair fell in front of her face. “He wouldn’t lie to me. Not to me. He cares...”

“He doesn’t care,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. “He only cares about power. You’re just another pawn he’s moving across the board, same as the rest of us.”

“You don’t understand,” Maggie whispered, her voice breaking now. “He told me I was special. That I was different.”

“Special?” I almost scoffed, but my ch