Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 269: Had The Courage.

Chapter 269: Had The Courage.

"My brother had a habit of drinking and going to brothels," the woman muttered in a low and almost ashamed voice. "That night, he was too drunk and went to one of the brothels. But my father refused to pay for him."

Olivia didn’t interrupt but she already knew what was coming. Her hands clenched around her dress. She just waited, watching the woman fidget with the hem of her dress, hoping to not continue it. But she did not have a choice.

"He got angry and fought with my father. Saying it was unfair and he just wanted to have some fun," she whispered. "Then I was going to placate her at the request of my mother. But before I could talk to him, I heard all of them talking. one of his friends laughed and said he knew a perfect girl who wouldn’t ask for money. That she would agree if they insisted. Then all of them left and I could not hear anymore."

Her voice cracked a little, and she took a deep breath. "I didn’t think anything of it then. I was younger. I didn’t understand what they meant. They left the house, drunk and loud, and I went to sleep."

She paused, her hand tightening on the doorframe.

"In the middle of the night, the village was in chaos. People were whispering that a witch had attacked them and burned them alive. Everyone was saying she was dangerous. She wanted to punish humans and she had snapped and cursed them." Her eyes flicked up to Olivia. "I believed it too. I was scared. No one wanted to question it because we all were afraid of witches. So, we just accepted it."

"And now?" Olivia asked, her tone quiet but sharp. "You know the girl did not want to harm you. She was only saving herself from the monsters."

"Now..." the woman hesitated, the weight of years pressing against her face. "Now I wonder. I remember how my brother used to treat the girls he didn’t pay. How he had come home smug and laughing. I remember how he joked about those girls deserved it. But perhaps, they have not.." she did not continue because she was not sure herself.

Olivia’s voice was calm, but her eyes shimmered with restrained fury. "And because of that, she died with no one to mourn her. No one said her name."

The woman bowed her head, unable to look at any of them. "I never knew her name. I never wanted to."

Liliana’s face was hard, but she didn’t say a word.

"I didn’t think back then. I didn’t want to," the woman continued, her voice hollow. "We lost five men that night, but maybe... maybe they weren’t the victims. Maybe she was. But it did not matter. Even if I had supported her, no one would have believed me. They would have harmed me too for conspiring with the witches."

"But you have us supporting you. We will come with you and You will speak the truth now," Damon said sharply. "You will write it. You will speak it. And you will tell the others what you told us."

The woman shook her head, stunned by their demand and took a step back instantly.

"My kids are still too young, so I would not speak in front of the village head even if you cursed me with your magic. I would rather die than put my family into danger." she bowed her head, ashamed. But she knew the hatred for the witches could not go away in a day or two.

Even when Olivia had saved them, the villagers did not think of her as one of them. Tears welled in her tired eyes. And her hands shook.

"I understand, you think that you are weak and could not fight for right. No worries, do you know more about his friends." liliana snapped her head toward Olivia. Even the girl looked stunned by her easy reply.

She wiped her tears hurriedly and nodded. "Michael lives near the..." they already had the address. They have received it from the village head. Liliana did not understand what Olivia was doing.

Liliana flicked her fingers, and the woman gasped as her voice returned, almost as if air rushed back into her throat. She held onto the door, pale and breathless.

"I don’t expect forgiveness," she whispered to Olivia. "But thank you. For letting me take a step back."

Olivia gave her a long look. "Don’t thank me. Because I would never forget or forgive what you and your brother had done. I am just too disappointed in you to waste my time further." the woman bowed her head ashamed. Hot tears burnt her cheeks again but she had no words coming out of her mouth.

"I am sorry." Olivia just scoffed at the empty apology. With that, she turned and walked away, Damon and Liliana following behind her as the wind picked up through the broken village. Behind them, they heard the woman collapsing on the ground. Her children ran to her and tried to wake her up but they did not turn to look back,

"Why did you let her go? Her statement would have helped us." Lilliana finally spoke what itched her mind. She looked at Olivia in confusion. Olivia had come too far just to give up?

"They would not believe just one word. And we could not have forced her. What if she refuses to speak when the time comes. It is better that we let her be." Liliana did not agree. They could have casted a spell on her kids and she would have spoken her heart out.

"Then are we just going to let it go?" her voice was filled with grievances. Olivia shook her head.

"We still have four more houses to go. If worse comes to worse, we can always camouflage you and you can give the confession. But let’s hope at least one of them had the courage to speak the truth."