"My mother has been in a coma for as long as I can remember."
Xylia's voice trembled as she finally revealed the truth.
"The woman you met yesterday wasn't my mother. She was my mother's twin sister."
She paused and took a shaky breath.
"After my mother fell into a coma, my grandfather decided that my aunt would take her place. No one outside the family was supposed to know."
Aciel remained silent.
For once, he didn't interrupt.
He simply listened.l
"We used to be happy," Xylia continued quietly. "Yes, my real mother was strict, but she was a loving mother and an affectionate wife. So I was happy."
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"But when she fell into a coma, my father started an affair with my aunt."
Aciel's eyes darkened.
"I tried to understand him," she said. "Maybe he was lonely. Maybe he was tired of waiting for my mother to wake up."
Her voice cracked.
"But my aunt slowly manipulated everyone."
She lowered her gaze.
