Chapter 283
I reached out and squeezed her hand. "That's what sisters are for."
Lilith stared at our joined hands for a moment. When she looked up, her eyes were still wet, but something in her expression had shifted.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For not walking away."
I shook my head. "I thought about it. A lot. But I couldn't."
"Why not?" Her voice cracked. "I gave you every reason to. I was cruel. I was selfish. I took everything from you."
I was quiet for a moment, letting her words settle. "Because you're my sister. And somewhere underneath all the anger, I knew you were hurting too."
She let out a shaky breath. "I didn't deserve your kindness."
"Maybe not. But I didn't give it to you because you deserved it. I gave it to you because I was tired of carrying hate."
"Even after everything I did?"
"Even after everything." I paused. "I was angry for a long time. I let that anger consume me. It was exhausting."
