His mother was walking toward Mert’s father.

With arrogance, with spite,

and a ruthless tone of reproach, she shouted:

> “You should have chosen me!”

“I was more beautiful, more intelligent, more captivating than that woman!”

“You… you left someone as perfect as me for someone so ordinary!”

Her eyes burned with fury and self-righteousness.

Mert’s father took a few steps back.

But there was no resistance in his eyes.

It was as if her aura had clouded his mind.

Eren could see it.

And in that moment, Mert’s father shouted in a dazed voice,

a strange mix of anger and regret:

> “No!

It wasn’t your fault...

That witch!

She put a spell on me—Mert’s mother!

How else… how else could I have possibly left someone as perfect as you?!”

His voice trembled.

Guilt, longing, and admiration swirled together.

Everyone in the courtyard held their breath.

No one moved.

It was as if invisible chains were holding them in place.

Eren watched his mother’s transformation with his own eyes.

And something inside his heart shattered.

This…

This was no longer the mother he knew.

This was the stone’s dark reflection.

Eren’s breathing grew uneven.

His palms were sweating.

And then—

His mother noticed him.

She slowly turned her head.

She shot him a look of disdain.

There was no warmth in her eyes, no trace of affection.

Only superiority.

And a cold, humiliating gaze.

She tilted her head ever so slightly.

And continued.