---- Chapter 26 No.26 Nyx POV: Kaelen turned and walked out of my life, his shoulders slumped in defeat. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me ina silence that was both a relief and a new kind of agony. Two weeks passed. | extended my stay, citing the need to finalize trade agreements, but in reality, | was just trying to piece myself back together. One afternoon, Lyra appeared at my door, holding a basket of my favorite northern berries. Her face was etched with an apology she didn't know how to voice. "| deserve it if you slam the door in my face," she said quietly. "But | was hoping... | was hoping you'd let me talk." | let her in. She didn't offer excuses or platitudes. She just sat with me, and for the first time since we were children, we were just sisters. "Slap me," she said after a while, her voice trembling. "Or hit me. Or scream at me. Do something. The way you're just... calm. It's worse than any punishment." "There's no point in hitting you, Lyra," | said wearily. "It won't change the past." ---- She eventually convinced me to accompany her on a short trip. She said it was something | needed to see to find closure. We took a "small boat" to a small, desolate island a few miles off the coast. The Isle of Madness. "After the tribunal sentenced her to be marked and exiled, her mind just... broke," Lyra explained as we walked towards a grim, fortress-like building. "She became violent, a danger to herself and others. This was the only place for her." Agrim-faced guard led us down a dark corridor lined with cells. Through the iron bars of one, | saw her. Seraphina was strapped to a stone bed. Her hair was matted, her eyes were wild and vacant. She was muttering to herself, nonsensical words and phrases. Her body was covered in scratches and bruises. "Are those from the guards?" | asked, my voice a detached whisper. "No," the guard said gruffly. "They're self-inflicted. Her family and the Alpha left instructions. Keep her alive, but nothing more." | looked at the shell of the woman who had destroyed my life, and | felt... nothing. No pity, no satisfaction, no hatred. She was just a part of a past that no longer belonged to me. "Her karma is her own," | said, turning away. "It has nothing to do with me." ---- As we walked back to the "boat", Lyra took my hand. Her fingers were warm and strong around mine. "l know it's too late for apologies to mean much," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "But | want you to know... | love you, Elara. | was a fool, but | do love you." She squeezed my hand. "Don't let what she did fill you with hate. Love is always stronger." | didn't reply, but | didn't pull my hand away either. Her words, a small seed of a long-lost affection, settled in the barren soil of my heart. In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.