But beside her, Maria's expression shifted. First shock, then pure fear, until she finally just… closed her eyes. Her whole demeanor went blank, like a lost soul, completely empty of any emotion.
Just moments ago, her daughter had told her, clear as day, to take the blame for everything. That it was the only way she could survive.
Maria's face went pale as the meaning of her daughter's cryptic words sank in. A surge of unwillingness washed over her—she didn't want to die like this. But if she didn't, then neither of them would make it.
The thought of being pushed to the edge of a cliff by her own daughter, forced into a situation where she had no choice but to jump… it replaced her fear with a raw, aching pain. She couldn't believe her daughter would actually do this to her. But deep down, she understood. One of them had to live. It was the only way to keep Nevaeh from winning, from being so arrogant.
Soon, Maria made her choice.
