Elisabeth's POV
The memory crashed over me like a tidal wave, dragging me back to that awful day when everything changed forever.
"What do you mean you cannot heal her?" Mother's voice sliced through the air like shattered glass. Even through the closed door, her words found me where I sat trembling in the hallway. My fingers twisted together as I fought to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
"I have attempted every healing ritual, Mrs. Kendrick. Just as you have exhausted all medical options." The healer's voice carried the weight of defeat. He had been summoned for one reason alone - to fix whatever was broken inside me before I could bring shame to their pristine family reputation.
"I refuse to have a defective daughter!" Mother's voice climbed higher, each word a dagger aimed straight at my heart. "Do you have any idea what people will whisper?"
