âBut you might not have seen the whole truth,â Ivy insisted, her resolve waning.
âTheir naked forms were in the same bed.
What more proof do I need?â
I countered, my voice laced with derision.
âDo I need to witness Caleb with Alexandria in the act to feel repulsed?â
âDebra, how could youâ¦â Ivy was at a loss for words.
A knock interrupted our heated exchange.
I turned to the door, my tone even.
âWho is there?â
The butlerâs prompt response came through.
âDebra, someoneâs outside looking for you, waiting at the door.
Will you come to see?â
Looking for me?
Curiosity piqued, I frowned.
âWhoâs seeking me?â
Before the butler could speak, Ivyâs voice bubbled with optimism.
âIt has to be Caleb.
Who else could it be?â
Her confidence seemed unshakable.
âIâve said before, itâs all just a big mix-up.
Calebâs come to clear things up for you.
â
I tightened my grip, my knuckles whitening.
Ever since my memories faded, I hadnât made any friends within the witch clan.
It was more likely for someone from the other world to seek me out.
Could this really be about a simple misunderstanding that Caleb felt compelled to resolve?
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Trying to quell the surge of anticipation, I addressed the butler.
âIs our visitor a werewolf?â
The butlerâs response was a negative.
âNo, itâs a half-blood witch.
â
A flicker of shock passed through me, and then the memory of Nora, who had suffered ridicule, surfaced.
Could it be her?
âWhat? How disappointing!â Ivyâs interest evaporated the moment she heard that.
A tinge of disappointment washed over me, but I gently laid Abby in her crib and made my way to the gate, following the butlerâs lead.
My hunch was right.
There was Nora, her gaze downcast, her posture tense, and her silence speaking volumes.
Approaching, I immediately sensed that something was amiss.
âNora, whatâs happened to you?â
The woman before me barely resembled the girl I remembered.
She had grown gaunt, her clothes tattered and soiled, like a homeless.
Upon noticing me, Noraâs hands unfurled and she seemed to shrink, an obvious discomfort in her posture.
Seeing the servants peering curiously from the doorway, I gestured welcomingly.
âYouâre our guest.
Please, come inside for some coffee to shake off the chill.
â
With a wary nod, Nora accepted.
âOkay.
â
Once we were alone in the reception room and the servants were dismissed, concern laced my voice.
âWhatâs troubling you, Nora? What brings you to me today?â
Tears welled up in Noraâs eyes and spilled over.
âDebra, Iâm so sorry,â she uttered, her voice thick with emotion.
âYou helped me not long ago.
I didnât mean to impose again, but Iâm at a loss.
â
I handed her a comforting cup of coffee.
âThereâs no need to apologize.
Take all the time you need.
â
As Nora cradled the cup, her tears continued to flow, tracing lines of sorrow on her cheeks.
She brushed the tears aside, her eyes rimmed with red.
âAfter the incident, my boss got wind of the trouble with Shirley.
He didnât want any part of it, so he fired me despite my pleas.
â
As she recounted her tale, her voice broke, the weight of her woes manifesting in her sobs.
âItâs nothing, really.
I thought Iâd just find another job.
But it seems my reputation precedes me.
The mere mention of my name is enough to close doors.
They all know Iâve somehow wronged Shirley, and no one dares risk associating with me.
Iâve even been harassed by thugs on the streets.
â
A heaviness settled in my chest.
Her disheveled appearance wasnât from a lack of care, but rather from the harsh treatment sheâd endured.
Observing more closely, I noticed the marks on her skin that told a hidden story of struggle.
With eyes brimming with tears, she implored me, âDebra, I didnât know where else to turn.
I need your help.
â