Evelyn walked in,Her cheeks were pink, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Lily asked for you today," she said softly as she found Maris in the kitchen. "She looked… worse. And I—" Her voice cracked before she forced a smile. "I still haven't saved enough for her surgery."
Maris turned quickly, her face already smoothed into calm. "We'll get there, sweetheart."
Evelyn studied her. "Are you okay? You look… tense."
"I'm fine," Maris lied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind Evelyn's ear. "Just tired. Long day."
Evelyn wanted to press, to ask why Maris's hands were trembling, but she didn't. Instead, she hugged her tightly, and for a moment, Maris thought she might never let go.
But she would have to.
Because somewhere upstairs, a deal had already been made.
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the small patch of garden Maris had fought to keep alive. Evelyn crouched among the roses, the watering can heavy in her hand, dew clinging to the hem of her dress. The soft rhythm of water against soil calmed her, just as it always did.
She didn't hear him until his shadow fell over her.
A sudden weight crushed her ankle, hard enough to send a jolt of pain up her leg. She gasped and looked up, meeting the smirk of her half brother, Darren.
He didn't move his foot.
"Oh. Did I step on you?" His tone dripped with mock innocence.
"You did," she said evenly, her voice calm despite the sting.
Instead of apologizing, he leaned forward, eyes glinting with mean delight.
"You know, I can't wait for you to leave this house. Finally… finally, we can all breathe without you and your pity-face hanging around."
Evelyn set the watering can down and straightened, her brows knitting.
"What are you talking about, Darren?"
His grin widened. "Oh, didn't they tell you? Maris knows. She's known for a while." He gave a mocking shrug. "Guess she's better at keeping secrets than you are at keeping your place."
The words sank into her like ice.
"Maris… knows what?" she demanded.
Darren only winked, his satisfaction obvious. "Ask her."
And with that, he walked off, whistling.
Evelyn didn't even bother wiping the dirt from her hands. She went straight into the house, her heart pounding. She found Maris in the kitchen, slicing vegetables as if the world wasn't tilting on its axis.
"Darren said you know something," Evelyn blurted. "He said you… you're aware of something about me leaving. Maris—tell me."
Maris's hands stilled on the cutting board. Slowly, she set the knife down. Her eyes glistened as she finally faced her.
"I was going to tell you," she whispered. She dragged her out of the kitchen to her room so no one can hear them.
"I planned… I planned for us to escape before it happened. I couldn't—" Her voice cracked. "I couldn't let them take you."
Evelyn's breath hitched. "Escape? What are you talking about?"
"They've arranged for you to be married," Maris said, her voice trembling. "To someone you've never met. I was going to take you away. We'd move to another city, start over. And we could take Lily with us."
The mention of Lily broke her. Evelyn's eyes filled, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Maris…" she choked.
Maris stepped forward, pulling her into a fierce embrace.
"I swear, Evie. I'm not letting them decide your life. We'll leave, before it's too late."
But deep down, Maris feared the truth—
It already might be too late.