Chapter 143:
Marlowe rose from her mother's bedside, a heavy silence settling in the room. "Good night, Mom. I hope you feel better soon."
"Thank you, dear," her mother replied weakly, a hint of worry lingering in her eyes.
Marlowe nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her secret. Leaving the room, she closed the door softly behind her, the sound echoing in the stillness of the house.
Reaching her own bedroom, she felt the weight of the day finally settle on her shoulders. Collapsing onto her bed, she let out a shaky breath. The lie she told her mother, the fear, the excitement of her adventure, all swirled in her mind, creating a dizzying vortex of emotions.