Talia knew the peace was fragile, but still, she was not ready when her sister came to her the next morning.
Alina knocked once, soft but deliberate, and Talia watched her approach through the vanity mirror.
Without a word, Alina reached for the brush and offered to tend her sister’s waist-length tresses—something she hadn’t done in many years.
Talia met her gaze in the glass.
“You are leaving us now?” she asked softly.
Alina looked back at Talia in the mirror. It was easier that way. Unshed tears spilled over onto her cheeks. Tightly pressing her lips together, she could only nod.
Talia stood slowly and held her tightly, breathing in the familiar scent and anchoring herself.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For staying as long as you have. For giving my sons a chance to know their au
