“Nina—” I breathe, completely caught off guard.
Her voice trembles against my shoulder. “Thank you,” she says softly. “For treating me like a sister. I wouldn’t have gotten any of this if not for you.”
Emotion rises fast, sharp and sudden.
I pull back slightly, holding her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “Listen to me,” I say gently. “In this world, I have my parents, my brother, my grandma… and I had a best friend who hurt me deeply.” My voice softens. “But God brought you to me. And I don’t see you as a staff. I see you as my sister.”
Her eyes shine.
I smile through it, squeezing her hands. “Now come on,” I add lightly. “Let’s finish up before Zaiden wakes up crying for me.”
She laughs, nodding, and we return to the room, two women bound not by blood, but by choice, loyalty,
