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Alice extracted herself from Ivan’s embrace once the others had left. Only Petr remained, although he was in an almost catatonic state. The loss of a sibling was not something she could imagine dealing with, being an only child. She’d always wanted a sister, but her mother had suffered some complications while giving birth to her and had never been able to have another child after that. People dealt with grief in so many different ways.
“I’m sorry,” Alice said and sipped her beer. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you with my blubbering.”
“You do not need to apologise,” Ivan said. “Do you see him apologising?” Ivan pointed at Petr.
“He just watched his brother burn to death,” Alice said.
“And what you have experienced tonight and the last few days is not worth crying over?” Ivan stroked h
