Now, standing in front of her, I reminded myself of that moment.
I asked her quietly if she really wanted me gone. If she truly believed I was standing in the way of her happiness.
Gavin answered before she could. He stepped slightly in front of her reflection and said she deserved peace, that sometimes family causes problems without meaning to. He even brought up something from years ago, twisting it into proof that I made her life harder. Evelyn agreed with everything he said.
That’s when I understood.
Either my sister was no longer the person I loved…
or she was still there, just buried under years of insecurity and someone else’s influence.
I told her that if she wanted me gone, she should say it herself—not let him speak for her.
She looked at me, impatient, and said if I truly loved her, I would give her what she asked for and leave quietly.
Something inside me shifted.
I walked out without slamming the door, without crying, without begging. For the first time in my life, I chose silence instead of apology.
As I walked down the hallway, I heard Gavin’s voice behind me, low and confident, telling her he knew I’d react this way—that I always made things about myself. Evelyn said something I couldn’t hear.
