Chapter 11

“Let her rest, Marcus.”

The voice belonged to my mother, who appeared at the edge of the clearing, her expression calm but firm. She crossed her arms, her gaze softening as it landed on me.

“She needs to learn,” my father replied, though his tone lacked its usual sharpness.

“She is learning,” my mother said.

“But pushing her until she breaks won’t make her stronger. It will make her resent you.”

Their eyes locked in a silent battle, one I had seen countless times before. My mother had always been the quieter of the two, but her strength lay in her ability to challenge my father without ever raising her voice.

My father sighed, running a hand through his hair.