Chapter 119 An Unexpected Invitation

• The following morning, sunlight filtered softly through Selene’s bedroom curtains as she sat at her vanity, carefully brushing her hair. Her thoughts lingered on the conversation with Maris the previous night and the promise she’d made to let him know if her family learned anything new about his father. She felt a strange sense of unease, but also relief—at least he now knew the truth, however painful it might be.
• Just then, her mother, Aphrodite, appeared at her door, a warm smile on her face. “Good morning, sweetheart. Let me help you get ready,” she said, moving gracefully across the room.
• Selene smiled as Aphrodite took the brush from her hand and began smoothing her long, dark hair with gentle strokes. The two sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, and Selene couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. It had been a while since her mother had last helped her like this, and the familiarity of the moment felt like a balm to her unsettled thoughts.