Chapter Forty Three

As I entered the car, a heavy sense of dread settled over me. The familiar scent of the leather seats and the polished interior only served as a reminder of the life I had tried so desperately to escape. Rueben sat beside me, his hand reaching out to gently grasp mine, offering a small glimmer of comfort.

"It's going to be alright, Naomi," he whispered, his voice filled with reassurance. "We'll face this together, and we'll make things right."

I forced a weak smile, trying to believe his words. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my heart. Leaving my sister and parents behind once again felt like a betrayal, and the thought of returning to the palace filled me with a sense of suffocation.

As the car pulled away from my childhood home, I couldn't help but steal one last glance at the house that held so many cherished memories. My parents stood on the porch, their faces etched with worry and sadness. My sister,Salie, stood beside them, tears streaming do