The Sickened Luna's Last Chance novel Chapter 413

413 /528

**The Perfect 413**

**Ella’s POV**

“I’m truly sorry, Ella.” Liam’s voice was laced with empathy as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll find another way to navigate this.”

I nodded, though my heart felt heavy. As I turned to head back to the car, a surge of frustration washed over me. I longed to storm into the house, to confront my father and demand the support I so desperately needed. I wanted to shout at him, to remind him that I was his daughter and that I was in dire straits, but… deep down, I understood that it would be futile.

My father had never once chosen to stand by me. Even when I had poured out my soul to him last year, confessing that I was at my breaking point and wanted to escape Alexander, he had turned his back. He had chosen the allure of wealth and the presence of Margaret over me, as if deciding on a breakfast menu.

Why would this time be any different? Especially now, when I had unwittingly become the villain in his eyes, the one who had coldly taken the life of his beloved wife.

“Surely, there must be more information out there regarding Alistaire’s expedition,” I murmured, attempting to reassure myself as we slid back into the car and pulled away from the driveway. “There has to be other resources—perhaps even a map—something that could guide us.”

Before I could elaborate on my thoughts, Liam swore under his breath, his arm shooting out instinctively. I gasped as he slammed on the brakes, the sudden jolt causing my seatbelt to lock tightly against my chest. A woman in an Omega servant’s uniform had leaped into the road, her arms flailing in a frantic dance. She rushed to the passenger side, signaling for me to roll down the window.

Cautiously, I cracked the window, leaning slightly forward. “Can I assist you?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“You’re Ella, right? Lilith’s daughter?”

I blinked in surprise, taken aback by her knowledge of my mother. “Yes…” I replied hesitantly.

“I’m Maisy.” She glanced around nervously, tucking a stray strand of her mousey brown hair behind her ear. “I assisted Lilith in gathering intel on Margaret in the past.”

Recognition washed over me as I recalled my mother mentioning a maid who had once been helpful.

“I overheard the situation with Richard earlier,” Maisy continued, her voice low and urgent. “You need access to Margaret’s possessions.”

“Yes,” I confirmed, exchanging a meaningful glance with Liam. “I’m searching for information that might aid in… lifting another curse, if you will.” The word ‘curse’ felt oddly appropriate for the predicament we found ourselves in, even if it was a stretch.

Maisy nodded, her expression resolute. “Let me assist you if Richard won’t. Give me a little time, and I can gather some of her belongings for you.”

Liam’s eyes brightened with hope. “You’d really do that for us?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Absolutely,” she affirmed with a determined nod. “Margaret was always cruel to me as her maid; there was no love lost between us. In fact, I was relieved to hear of her passing—no more terrorizing us.”

“‘Us’?” I echoed, intrigued by her choice of words.

Maisy leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “There are many of us in the pack who never regarded Margaret as a true Luna. It was your mother who we genuinely adored and wanted to lead us. When she died and was replaced so easily by Richard, we were devastated. But now that rumors swirl about her possible return, we are eager to assist in any way we can, even if our efforts seem small.”

A swell of emotion rose within me. My mother still had loyal supporters in the pack, even after all these years of silence. It was a comforting revelation, one I hadn’t anticipated. “I thought Margaret had eradicated any remaining support for my mother,” I murmured, almost to myself.

Maisy’s expression shifted, her eyes clouding with memories. “Oh, trust me—she certainly tried. Those of us who remained had to conceal our true feelings, living in constant fear of her wrath. If we so much as whispered Lilith’s name, she would unleash her cruelty in the most imaginative ways.”

A shudder ran through her as she recalled the past. “Margaret was… terrifying,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Especially in recent years, once she delved into that dark magic.”