Tessa crouched beside me.
She didn't tell me it was okay.
She didn't say everything happened for a reason.
She simply pressed her forehead against my shoulder and stayed there.
When the crying stopped, I whispered, “Don't tell Arya.”
Tessa lifted her head.
Her eyes were wet.
“I won't.”
The next evening, Arya came home before sunset.
I was in the library.
She stopped when she saw me.
“You're downstairs.”
“Elevator.”
“You hate the elevator.”
“I'm developing new hobbies.”
She smiled cautiously.
Then she saw the paperwork on the table.
Lucia had warned me not to confront her yet.
I ignored Lucia.
Some addictions take longer to quit.
I placed the guardianship petition between us.
Arya went white.
“What is that?”
“You tell me.”
She didn't touch it.
“Vincent—”
“Read the first line.”
“I can explain.”
“Read it.”
“Stop talking to me like I'm an employee.”
“Then stop stealing from me like one.”
