Lyra's POV
"Every last penny of it." Tears carved rivers through her meticulously applied makeup, leaving dark streaks down her cheeks. "I will cover all the damages."
I remained silent, watching her break.
"Daphne was my mistake." The confession spilled from her lips in a frantic rush. "I spoiled her rotten. Made her believe the world owed her everything. That's why she turned out this way. But she shouldn't pay the price for my failures as a mother."
Her trembling hand reached toward me.
"Lyra. Please. For your father's memory. For whatever good moments we shared when you were small. Show Daphne mercy. Drop the attempted murder charges. Convince the elders to dismiss the pack endangerment case."
"Why should I?" I stared down at her crumpled form. "Because you're crying? Because you're on your knees? What makes this performance so special when it's been my reality here for years?"
