To tear us apart

Miriam stared at Seraphina through the glass window, separated by only a few holes that allowed their voices to pass through. "Why did you hire an assassin to kill Layla?" she asked in direct and sharp tone.

Seraphina's gaze hardened as she met Miriam's eyes. "Because I never wanted her. My life fell apart because of her." She paused, recalling the previous day when Roger had delivered a message from Lucius—Orabela had been caught collaborating with her, and it served as a warning. She'd been told to cease any further plans.

Miriam's fists clenched as she pushed further, her voice filled with years of bottled-up anger and confusion. "Then why stay by Darius's side after Layla was born? Why live with us under the same roof, knowing you'd never be his official wife? He would have given you money to survive on your own, but you stayed. You treated Layla with disdain, yet you showed nothing but kindness to Orabela. Why?"