Chapter 43

• The trees swayed gently as the morning sun filtered through their leaves, casting long, dappled shadows over the secluded stone bench nestled deep in the garden’s edge. A quiet wind whispered across the grass, stirring the soft folds of Aria’s gown as she sat beside Hana, her maid she never thought she’d see soon.
• For several heartbeats, Aria simply stared at her, still unsure whether the sight before her was real or an illusion conjured by longing and regret.
• Aria’s voice was small when it came. “You shouldn’t be here.”