Then he faced me, keeping her behind him. “Talia, I’m sorry. This is on me, not her. She’s always cared for you, so have I. But the past is gone. Missing you will always be my regret. We won’t turn our backs on you, but can you…”
In that moment, the last bit of faith I held broke apart. “I hope you’re happy. I’m leaving.”
I brushed past Luka without a glance. “Talia…” His voice echoed after me, but I never looked back.
Ahead, the road stretched toward my parents’ house. The old place stood silent, its windows dark.
The door lock was rusted, and the bodyguards who once stood watch were long gone. The house looked like it had been deserted for years.
My strength gave out, and I collapsed at the doorway, curling into myself.
Years of poor nourishment left my head spinning, my vision blurred. Helplessness and sorrow rose until they spilled over.
Rain began to fall again.
In the last haze before losing consciousness, I saw Luka appear with an umbrella, just like that day on our graduation trip.
Without thinking, I reached out to him. “Talia, I’ll take you home.”
He carried me back to his house.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the guest room of Luka’s home.