Rowella Michaels

Chapter 6 My mind was in turmoil. I don’t tolerate liars. Chaos’s words echoed in my head, a relentless reminder of the web of lies I’d spun since arriving at the palace. I had been deceiving him, hiding my true identity and my mission. What would he think if he found out? Would he ever forgive me? Could I even face him again? The guilt weighed heavily on me, a constant ache in my chest. I sighed deeply, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to me like shadows. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Chaos standing there, his expression filled with concern. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked in and sat on my bed. I followed, sitting beside him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft. “What’s wrong?” I echoed, stalling for time. “You know what I’m talking about,” he said, his eyes searching mine. “You’ve been acting strangely since yesterday, after your talk with Marcela.” Should I tell him? The question gnawed at me. If I did, I’d be b...

Chapter 5 I was still bothered by the painting I’d seen the day before, but I pushed the thought aside. I had a more urgent situation to deal with: Amari had sent me a message asking for an update. I didn’t know how Amari had managed it, but I found the message under my plate of hotdogs during dinner. With Chaos sitting right across from me, I nearly had a heart attack when I noticed the paper barely hidden beneath the plate. Thankfully, I was wearing a dress with long sleeves, so I was able to discreetly slip the paper under my right sleeve. I excused myself immediately after dinner, claiming I was exhausted. Chaos seemed disappointed but didn’t protest. He simply escorted me to my room and kissed me goodnight. That was close. Now, alone in my room, I stared at the message. I had nothing to report—no progress, no leads. Worse, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to reveal anything about Chaos. It felt like no matter what I did, I’d be betraying someone. The next morning, I decided to have bre...

  The New Beginning The reunion was full of familiar faces and loud laughter, held in a dimly lit bar that reminded me of our college days. As I walked in, I felt a rush of excitement—and a flicker of old nerves. “Elena!” Maggie’s voice cut through the noise. She waved from a corner table, grinning. “Mags!” I hugged her tight, the kind of hug that instantly brings back memories. “It’s so good to see you.” “You too!” She pulled back, studying me. “You look… amazing. What’s new with you?” I hesitated. “Just… figuring things out, I guess.” Maggie smiled, her eyes knowing. “Well, whatever it is, it suits you.” The night passed in a blur of old stories and easy laughter. Being around people who knew me before the years of quiet heartache, before Daniel, felt like coming home. It reminded me of who I used to be—and who I still could be. The weight I’d carried for so long started to lift, replaced by something lighter, something real. I wasn’t just going through the motions anymore. I was...

 The Letting Go The box sat before me, a reminder of years of hidden feelings and pain. It was something I’d carried with me for so long, like a secret I couldn’t let go of. But now, standing in the quiet attic, surrounded by dust and old memories, I knew it was time. I picked up the pen and wrote my last letter, September 2023 , a simple acknowledgment of what I’d always known. My hands shook slightly as I lifted the paper.  Dear Daniel, I’ve loved you quietly for years, hoping for something you could never give me. And now, I’m finally okay with that. I’m writing this because I need to say it one last time. This is the final letter—not because I’ve stopped loving you, but because I’ve realized I deserve more than silence and waiting. You’ll always be part of my past, but it’s time for me to move on. To stop watching my own life from the sidelines. This isn’t goodbye. It’s me letting go. No longer yours, Elena I set the letter down, feeling lighter than I had in years. The wo...