Chapter 57

Maya’s POV

Thirteen Years Ago

“Don’t show your face, you got that? We want you to stay put in this library until they leave.”

That was all Mother said before she slammed the door in my face.

I sank onto the worn wooden desk chair and let out a heavy sigh, fully aware of the crushing loneliness that enveloped this tiny study. It hadn’t been used in years—dust lay thick on every surface, and cobwebs hung like ghostly décor in every corner. The only signs of life were the silent spiders weaving in and out of their silk filaments and the white sheets draped haphazardly over old furniture, giving the whole room an air of abandonment.

Despite the neglect, one thing still shone brightly: daylight pouring in through the tall windows, untouched by any lightbulb maintenance. I mentally kicked