One night, as Elara paced the halls of the ancient castle, she was stopped by a familiar voice. It was Seraphina, a woman she had once trusted with her life. But now, there was a chill in Seraphina's eyes, one that hadn't been there before.
"I'm sorry, Elara," Seraphina said, her voice soft, yet dripping with venom. "But this is the only way. You never belonged here."
Elara's heart sank as the betrayal hit her like a tidal wave. Seraphina, the woman who had promised to stand by her, had betrayed her in the most painful way possible. It wasn't just the fact that she had turned against her; it was the way she had played on Elara's vulnerabilities. The lies, the manipulation—they had all led to this moment.
"I trusted you," Elara whispered, her voice breaking.
Seraphina's eyes softened, but only for a moment. "I'm sorry, Elara. But we all have our roles to play."