Selene's POV
Something inside me trembled—not because I believed him, but because a part of me wanted to. I pushed him away hard, my hands flat against his chest.
"Don't," I snapped. "Don't ever touch me again."
Frederick stepped back, his jaw tightening. I could see the flicker of pain in his eyes, but he didn't move closer. "Selene—"
"What do you want to show me?" I cut him off sharply, folding my arms to keep my hands from shaking. "You didn't drag me out here just to play games."
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Just answer one question first."
I frowned. "What question?"
He looked at me carefully, his voice calm but serious. "How was the relationship between your father and your mother before she died?"
The question caught me off guard. I blinked. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Just answer me," he said quietly.
I hesitated. "They weren't close. My mother was kind, but Father—" I stopped. "He was… strict. Controlling. Why are you asking this?"
