My dad spoke in parables, and I couldn't fathom how he had managed to reclaim my mum from Eve's grasp. I sensed there was something he wasn't revealing to me.

Then it hit me—I had been a fool. I had never run back to him. All my life, I believed he didn't care for me or my mother, but when I saw the expression on his face, I realized he truly did care.

I hadn't seen Vivian or Vespera; my dad informed me he had dealt with them after what they had done to us.

Three days passed since I agreed to leave the county. I remained by my mother's...