Chapter 7: The Ghost of the Past
Winter hit the city with brutal force. The Haven was overcrowded. Maya was serving hot soup at the front line when a woman shuffled forward in the queue. She was shivering, wrapped in a faded coat, her head down. As Maya handed her a bowl, the woman looked up. The arrogant fire was gone, replaced by hollow, exhausted eyes. It was Victoria.
Maya’s breath caught in her throat. Victoria didn’t recognize her at first—the simple clothes and pulled-back hair masked the heiress from the boutique. But as Victoria took the bowl, her eyes locked onto the silver chain resting against Maya’s collarbone. The realization hit her like a physical blow.
