Chapter 101: Skeletons in the Closet
"My little angel," Marjorie’s lips trembled before the words even came. Her voice was soft, ragged with time and grief, but unmistakably hers.
She stretched out her hand, slow and shaky, like she wasn’t sure she’d be allowed to touch the world she’d left behind.
Merlina instantly shifted backward, grabbing onto the edge of the doorframe to steady herself. Her whole body had gone cold.
Her other hand flew to her chest, fingers curling instinctively over her heart as if trying to hold it in place. She could feel it thudding wildly beneath her ribs, like her body had registered something her mind couldn’t yet believe.
This wasn’t real.
This couldn’t be real.
The woman who’d haunted her grief, who had vanished into dust, ash and eternal silence, was standing just feet away—alive.
"How...? You’re..." Her voice cracked around the words. Her throat felt dry, her chest tightening like something inside was breaking open.
Behind her, Craig took a cautious step forward. His eyes didn’t leave Marjorie, but one hand brushed lightly against Merlina’s back.
Marjorie’s face crumpled with emotion. "I—I didn’t mean for it to happen this way," she said, her voice shaking. "I never wanted you to find out like this."
She glanced briefly at Craig, then back to Merlina, eyes brimming. "There’s so much I need to explain, mi amor. So much you don’t understand."