Chapter 30. Finally, Great News

Elena POV

I freeze, my heart slamming against my ribcage.

That voice… It's soft.

Familiar.

Trembling.

I slowly turn around, and there she is.

My mom.

She stands a few feet away in her nightgown, barefoot, arms folded tightly like she’s trying to hold herself together.

Her eyes are wide with concern, and maybe… guilt.

“Elena,” she says again, stepping closer. “I…I heard what happened. Are you hurt?”

I stare at her.

This woman.

This woman who promised to always protect me.

To always choose me.

And yet… she brought me here.

To this house.

To this family.

To this twisted, haunted mansion with its rules, its punishments, and its buried pain.

I take a slow breath, but it doesn’t calm me. Not even close.

“No, I’m not hurt,” I say flatly.

Her shoulders sag slightly with relief. “Thank God. I was so worried. I tried knocking earlier but…”

I cut her off, my