Not Your Weak Wife Anymore

I coughed so hard my ribs ached, each spasm tearing through my chest like claws. The sound of the television filled the living room, bright and merciless, a voice announcing the world outside my prison.

Carlisle Huxley arrives with his partner, the award-winning actress Cosette Montello

Partner. Mistress. Lover. Whatever name they gave her, the meaning was the same. My husband stood before the cameras with another woman on his arm. I could imagine it clearly: Carlisle in his dark suit, smiling for the press, while Cosette glittered in her designer gown. The world would cheer for them. They looked perfect together, didnt they?

Another cough seized me, this time so violently that I tasted iron. My hand shot to my lips, and the sticky warmth told me enoughit was blood.

The door banged open. MOM! Emilys voice carried sharpness rather than concern. Her footsteps clicked against the polished floor as she marched closer.

What did you do to the laundry?! she demanded. You were supposed to handwash it, but it looks disgusting! Youve ruined everything again.

I tried, I whispered hoarsely, clutching my skirt to hide the stains on my hand. I thought I scrubbed them carefully

Emily scoffed. Carefully? Dont lie. You cant do anything right. Thats why Dad never takes you anywhere. Thats why nobody wants to show you off. Youre uselessan idiot. And blind.

Her words struck deeper than any blade. My daughter, the child I had carried, kissed, sung to sleep, now looked at me with nothing but contempt. I couldnt see her face, but I could feel the disgust in her tone.

Another cough rattled up from my chest, unstoppable. I bent forward, gasping.

Emilys voice came again, colder than before. Stop coughing alreadyyoull ruin the expensive carpet. Why are you even in the living room? Just stay in your little room where you belong.

Her footsteps retreated, the door slamming shut behind her.

I sat frozen, her cruelty echoing long after she left. My chest burned, my lungs ached, and when I pressed my fingers to my lips again, the blood was still there. Shame and sorrow tangled inside me until I could barely breathe.

Maybe she was right. Maybe this was all my fault. If I hadnt lost my sight, I could have cared for them properly. If I were stronger, prettier, more capable, Carlisle wouldnt have strayed to Cosette. Emily wouldnt despise me. I wouldnt be sitting here like an intruder in my own home.

With trembling hands, I pulled myself to my feet, gripping the furniture for balance. Slowly, step by step, I made my way down the familiar path to the staff roommy room now. Once, this house had been mine. Now I was hidden away like something shameful.

I collapsed onto the narrow bed, the ache in my chest overwhelming. Darkness swallowed me, heavy and merciful, dragging me into sleep.

When I woke, a strange pressure tugged at my hand. My fingers were moving against paper, guided by someone elses grip.

I stiffened. Whos there?

Stop resisting, for fucks sake, a mans voice snapped.

My heart dropped. Carlisle.

Carlisle? My throat closed up with dread. What are you doing? What are you making me write?

His reply was flat, merciless. Its a divorce agreement.

My breath caught. No no, please. I struggled, but his grip was unyielding. I dont want this. Carlisle, dont do this to me. Ill be good, Ill do anything you ask, justdont leave me.

His hand pressed mine down harder, forcing the strokes. You'll do anything for me, huh? Then do me a favor... quietly accept this divorce.

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. What will happen to me? To our children? Carlisle, I cant survive without you.

But he didnt care. My hand was forced downward, the stamp pressing into the paper with brutal finality. The vibration shuddered through me, hollow and cold.

It was done. Against my will, it was done.

He pulled back, folding the document. Its finished.

Carlisle My voice broke, but he didnt answer. His footsteps moved toward the door, the hinges creaking as he opened it. Cold air swept into the room for a moment before the door clicked shut.

Silence fell. My body trembled as another cough shook me, hot blood burning in my throat.

Thenfootsteps again. Lighter. Slower. It's definitely not Carlisles.

The door shut, and a soft laugh, sweet and poisonous, filled the air. Oh, Emma. Left all alone already?

My stomach twisted.

Cosette.

She didnt rush. Her heels tapped lazily against the floor as she circled me like a predator. He didnt even wait until morning, did he? Thats how desperate he was to be rid of you.

I clutched the sheets, my knuckles white. Why are you here? I managed, my voice shaking.

To remind you, she whispered, her perfume thick around me as she leaned close, that this house, this family, your husbandtheyre mine now.

I flinched, but she only laughed softly.

Tomorrow, youll be gone. And when you leave, Emma, dont expect anyone to miss you. Not Carlisle. Not your children. Certainly not me.

Her laughter trailed like smoke as she moved toward the door.

But do rest well tonight, she added, her tone sharp, cruel. Tomorrow will be unforgettable.

The door clicked shut.

And I was left in the dark, heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. Her words echoed inside me, each one a blade.

Tomorrow.

Something was coming. And I didnt know if I would survive it.

The next morning, the sound of footsteps jolted me awake. I sat up quickly, my body tense, listening. The shuffle of skirts, the rustle of cloth, drawers being openedpeople were in my room.

My hands gripped the blanket. Whos there?

No one answered. The movements continued, steady and purposeful. Panic surged through me, hot and sharp.

I reached blindly toward the small table beside my bed, found the vase, and hurled it to the ground. It shattered into pieces with a violent crash.

I said, what do you think youre doing?! My voice cracked as it echoed against the walls.

The room went still for a heartbeat before a cool, practiced voice replied. The master ordered us to pack your things. The new mistress will need this room for her clothes.

The words hit me like ice water. I clenched the blanket until my knuckles ached. That voice I knew it.

Mildred. My chest tightened. The head maid. The woman who had practically raised Carlisle and, later, my Emily. She was more than just staff; she was family once. But over the years, she had turned cold, her influence warping Emilys heart against me.

I wanted to scream at her, to claw at the betrayal spilling through my veins, but my tongue stilled. If I fought her now, if I rebelled, there would be no way left to beg Carlisle to take me back. Mildred was too important.

She gave a sharp order to the others. Continue.

The maids resumed packing my things into boxes, each thud of folded fabric and click of latches like nails hammered into my coffin. My hands shook as I bit my nails, struggling to think. This had to be another phaseCarlisles way of punishing me whenever a new woman caught his eye. He always came back eventually. Always. This had to be Cosettes idea, whispering poison into his ear, demanding more, demanding everything.

I couldnt sit still. I stumbled out of the room, ignoring the startled gasps of the maids. My bare feet padded against the cool floors as I made my way toward the dining hall.

Halfway down the corridor, a sound stopped me cold.

Laughter. Emilys laughter. Bright, genuine, the kind I hadnt heard in yearsnot from me.

Thank you, Ms. Cosette! she chirped. I really love this so much! Youre the best! I finally found someone with as much fashion sense as me!

My chest tightened.

Cosettes voice followed, playful and smug. Oh, Emily, Id be so happy if you could call me Mother. After all, Ill be marrying your father soon.

I froze. The words struck like a dagger. Marry? My knees weakened, and I clung to the wall for balance.

What what do you mean? My voice slipped out before I could stop it.

Silence. Then Emilys irritated tone: What the... since when were you there?

I staggered forward, each step heavier than the last. Carlisle, I called out desperately, searching for his presence. What is she supposed to mean? I thought this was just another phaselike always. You kick me out when you have a new woman, but then you come back. Thats how its always been! But divorce? Marriage? With her? What

Emily cut me off, her words sharp as glass. Youre really an idiot, Mom. Cant you get it? Dad is going to marry Ms. CosetteI mean, Mother Cosette. Its a fact. And I love it! My idol is going to be my mother. Isnt it great?

Her voice was full of excitement, joy, pridethe kind of joy she had never once given me.

I staggered, the world tilting beneath my feet. A pain deeper than my illness, deeper than my blindness, pierced through me.

Why? My voice broke, tears spilling hot down my cheeks. Why are you all doing this to me? I did everything for you. I accepted everything. Every phase. Every humiliation. I tried to understand, to endure, because I thought if I loved you enough, it would make up for my blindness. I thought love could replace everything I lacked.

My shoulders shook. Do you do you even love me?

The room was silent for a long moment. And then Carlisles voice finally came, calm and unflinching.

Our marriage was a mistake.

The air left my lungs.

The woman I loved was your twin, he continued coldly. Selene. The reason I married you was because I thought I could feel her in you.

Selene. My twin sister. My other half, who had died in the same accident that stole my sight.

My knees buckled, but I clung to the wall. Selene

I tried to love you, Emma, Carlisle said, softer now, almost regretfulbut the words still cut like blades. But I couldnt. The divorce settlement will be enough for you to live on. Dont worry about Emily. She looks so much like Selene. Ill take good care of her.

His chair scraped against the floor. Goodbye, Emma.

The sound of his footsteps faded, leaving me surrounded by the echo of his words.

A mistake. That was all I had been.

The daughter I gave my soul for, the husband I clung to, the life I tried to preserveall of it crumbled before me, and there was no light, no sight, no warmth left in the world.

Cosettes laughter rang again, sweet and triumphant. Well, thats settled then.

I stood rooted in place, shaking, as though my very bones were breaking.

The rain beat down like endless needles, soaking me to the bone. My suitcase handles slipped in my palms as I stood at the gates of the mansion I had once called home. The same mansion where I had laughed, cooked, prayed, and begged to be enough.

Now I was cast out.

The maids hadnt looked at me when they shoved the suitcases outside. They had only muttered that the masters orders left no room for pity. The door shut behind me with a dull thud that echoed like a coffin sealing shut.

I stood there, trembling, water running down my face, mingling with tears that wouldnt stop. My body felt numb, yet my heart bled in every corner.

Thisthis was the price of my weakness.

Every cruelty from Emily, every insult from Carlisle, every laugh from Cosettethey stabbed sharper in the rain. I pressed my fist against my chest and asked myself the question I had avoided for years.

When did it all begin to fall apart?

And I knew the answer.

It began with the accident.

The memory clawed its way back through the storm.

Selenes laugh still echoed in my mind that night we drove down the winding coastal road. She was radiantmy twin, my mirror, though she always shone brighter. I had been at the wheel, the radio humming softly as the wind tangled our hair.

Thenthe screech.

The car swerved, the world spun, and before I could even cry out, we crashed through the guardrail.

The sea below swallowed us whole.

My head slammed against the dashboard, white light bursting behind my eyes. My vision shattered, colors bleeding together, the world spinning like a broken carousel.

Emma! Selenes voice screamed through the chaos, sharp and terrified.

The car filled with icy water. She kicked at her door, again and again, grunting, gasping, until finally it burst open. A rush of water dragged us, but she grabbed me with desperate strength.

Hold on! she shouted. Her arm hooked under mine, dragging my limp body toward the surface.

I tried. God, I tried. My chest burned, my sight dimmed, but Selene pushed and pulled until at last we broke through the water. I choked on air, my lungs searing with life.

But she didnt stop. She pushed me higher, forcing me toward safety.

I clung to her hand. Selene!

Thena tug.

Her scream tore through the storm as something below dragged her down.

Her foot was caught.

She thrashed, kicking, gasping. Emmahelp me!

I reached for her, but my body was heavy, my head spinning from the blow. My sight wavered in streaks of gray and red.

Selenes face was the last thing I saw. Her lips moved beneath the water, her hair swirling around her like a dark halo. She was slipping, sinking

And I was powerless.

The world tilted, blackness smothered me, and when I woke again, Selene was gone.

Forever.

A sob tore out of me as I clutched my suitcase to my chest in the present. My tears blended with the storm. Selene Im sorry. I shouldve saved you. I shouldve done more. If I werent so weak, youd still be here.

My voice broke. You wouldnt have left me like they did.

I pressed my forehead against the hard case, rocking as if it could cradle me. For years, I had carried the weight of her death like chains. I believed I deserved this loneliness, this rejection. Maybe Carlisle was rightmaybe I was nothing but a mistake.

And then

A voice slipped through the storm. Smooth. Mocking.

Im glad youre still here.

I stiffened, lifting my head. The raincoat rustled as the footsteps drew near. I knew that sound. I would know it anywhere.

Cosette, I whispered, my stomach twisting with dread.

She chuckled, the sound cutting through the rain like a blade. So pitiful. Standing here in the storm like a stray cat no one wants.

I wiped my face quickly, forcing myself to stand tall despite the water soaking through my dress. Are you here to mock me again? Is it not enough that you stole my husband and daughter? Must you watch me crawl, too?

Oh, Emma, she purred, drawing closer. You think so little of me. I dont just want to mock you. I want to crush you.

I gritted my teeth, clutching my suitcase tighter. I have nothing left to say to you.

Perhaps. Her tone sharpened, playful malice dripping in every word. But maybe youd like to know the truth about your sister. About Selene.

My breath hitched. The rain was loud, but her words thundered louder.

What are you talking about? I demanded.

Cosette leaned close, so near I could hear the smirk in her voice. Dont you wonder who was really behind that accident? Because I know. I know exactly who caused Selenes death.

The storm roared around us, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart.

The rain didnt stop. It chased me down every street, drowning out the noise of the city and soaking through my thin clothes until my skin burned with cold. My suitcase dragged behind me, wheels catching in the cracks of the pavement, but I barely noticed.

Cosettes words looped endlessly in my mind.

Dont you wonder who was really behind that accident? Because I know.

I clenched my jaw and shook my head hard, as if I could fling her voice out into the storm.

Why do you think I would believe anything you said? I had spat at her before walking away.

Her laugh still echoed in my earssweet and mocking. True, nice to hear you finally have some brain at least. Its up to you to believe me or not.

But she hadnt stopped there.

Dont you know anything about the relationship between Selene and Carlisle? His father never agreed with her. Selene was too strong for a woman. His motheroh, she was the worsttoo conservative, too narrow. She wanted Carlisle to marry someone like me. Someone educated. Someone classy. Someone perfect.

Her pause had been deliberate, cruel. "So, maybe you know where this is coming from? Or are you too much of an idiot to figure it out?"

I remembered how my lips had trembled, the words escaping me before I could stop them. Did they order that accident?

Cosettes delighted hiss cut through the storm. "Bingo! Though the one who came up with the idea was Mildred. But the orderit came from Carlisles parents."

Now, stumbling blindly through the rain-soaked streets, I pressed a trembling hand against my mouth. My stomach turned.

Carlisles parents.

The very family I had bent myself backward for, trying to please. The ones I had begged to accept me. I had tried so hard to smile, to serve, to be small enough, obedient enough, gentle enoughanything so they might approve.

And all this time they had killed Selene.

My knees buckled. The wet ground met me harshly, gravel scraping against my palms. The rain pelted harder, as if the sky itself mocked my weakness.

I wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

I dont remember how I reached the cemetery.

The storm guided me, or maybe it was Selene herself pulling me toward her grave. My hands found the cold stone, familiar under my fingertips. I traced her name carved into it. My throat burned.

I tried, Selene, I whispered. My voice cracked. I tried to love them. I tried to love him. Even after they took you away from me.

The tears came hot and fast, washing down with the rain. I pressed my forehead to the grave. How pathetic is that? I gave my heart to the very family that murdered you.

A sound escaped me thensomething between a sob and a laugh. It started small, shaky, but it grew louder, twisting into something wild.

I laughed.

I laughed until my body shook, until the grief splintered into something sharper. My laugh was sad, then bitter, then mockinguntil finally it curdled into something dark.

What a cruel joke this is, I choked out between gasps. The man I devoted myself to his family killed you, Selene. And he that bastard fcking knew. He didnt stop them. He didnt protect you. He just stood there, too afraid, too weaklike me. Maybe thats why he married me in the first place. Because I was weak enough to accept it.

My fists struck the wet earth.

I cursed them all.

By name, one by one, letting each syllable drip with venom. Carlisles parents, who ordered Selenes death. Mildred, who whispered the idea into their ears. Cosette, who delighted in tearing me apart. Emily, who spat at me as if I were less than dirt. And finally Carlisle himself, the coward who let it all happen.

The words tore out of me raw and jagged, carried away by the storm, but they left me hollowed and burning at the same time.

Then, as the fury ebbed, a thought flickered in the darkness. A name.

Sebastian.

Yes. Sebastian.

The one person left who had not abandoned me. The only one who might still stand on my side.

My hands fumbled desperately to my bag. My fingers searched blindly until I felt the smooth rectangle of my phone. I clutched it like a lifeline, my heart hammering.

Sebastian I whispered into the rain, my lips trembling. Help me.

I pressed the phone to my ear, my breath shuddering, waiting for the line to connect.

And in the silence between the storm and the ring, I realizedthis was only the beginning.

Mom!

The familiar voice cut through the storm. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, shielding me from the pounding rain. I felt the sudden shift of air as he held something above usan umbrella, maybe, though I could not see it. All I knew was the warmth of his embrace and the relief of a voice that still called me mother.

Why are you out here? Its pouring! Sebastians voice was bright with concern, the kind I had been starving for inside that cold mansion. His hug was firm, almost desperate, as if afraid I might vanish if he let go.

For the first time in days, my trembling eased. Sebastian My lips quivered.

Sebastian. My son. Emilys twin brother.

Where Emily had stayed glued to her fathers side, dressed in silks and pearls, groomed to inherit Carlisles world, Sebastian had always been different. He was reckless, wild, the boy who came home with bruises and busted lips from street fights. Carlisle despised him for it. I still remembered the day Carlisle expelled him from that prestigious boarding school with dormitories, saying he wasnt worth the Huxley name.

But he was worth everything to me.

Come on, Mom. Lets get you out of the rain. He tucked me against him, guiding me carefully down the slippery street. His grip was strong, steady. My hand brushed against the cold handle of the suitcase, and he carried it for me without a word.

He led me into a coffee shop, its door creaking as warmth wrapped around me. The hum of chatter, clinking cups, and the sharp aroma of roasted beans greeted us. He found us a corner seat and ordered somethingI could smell the bitter steam of coffee when it arrived.

Why would you wander outside in the rain like that? Sebastians voice was edged with worry as he pushed the warm cup toward me. Youll get sick, Mom.

I cupped the mug, letting the heat seep into my frozen fingers. For the first time in so long, I felt cared for. I I didnt know where else to go.

He sighed. Then, hesitantly, he cleared his throat. Oh, by the way, Mom could you give me my allowance in advance this week? Dad finally went insanehe even cut off my credit card. Im stuck.

My chest tightened. Sebastian I hesitated. I do have some money, but we should budget carefully. Things arent the same anymore.

He waved off my worry, his tone light. Dont stress, Mom. Maybe next month hell restore it. Its just temporary.

I forced a smile, but unease gnawed at me.

Then his voice shifted, curious. By the way, why do you have a suitcase with you? Are you going somewhere?

The warmth of the mug turned heavy in my hands. I was kicked out of the house.

Sebastian chuckled faintly. What, another one of Dads phases?

I shook my head. My throat tightened until the words scraped out, raw and painful. No. Were divorced now, Sebastian.

Silence. Then a sharp intake of breath. W-What?

And your father I steadied myself, though my voice cracked. Hes getting remarried. Soon.

I waited for comfort, for the embrace of my son. Instead, his voice exploded across the table. No! What about my money then?!

The words stabbed me, sharper than any knife.

Mom, you cant just accept this! You should beg! Do something!

B-Beg...? My voice trembled, the anger rising with my grief. How many times do you want me to beg, Sebastian? I begged your father, his parents, even you children. Im so tired already!

But he didnt stop. His voice turned desperate, urgent. I dont care. Mom, I need money! My life depends on it! Im begging youjust this once

Enough! My palm slammed against the table, rattling the cup. My whole body shook. Get out!

Mom

I said get the hell out! Tears streamed down my face. I thought you were different, Sebastian. I was the only one on your side. I helped you when no one else would. I believed in you But I overestimated you. Youre just like the rest of them.

His voice cracked, small. M-Mom

I dont want to hear you anymore. Leave me alone.

A cough ripped through me, shaking my chest. He reached to steady me, but I slapped his hand away.

Go. While I still have an ounce of patience left.

For the first time, Sebastian was silent. Truly silent.

Then his footsteps faded, and I was alone again.

I left the caf, dragging my suitcase behind me. The world outside blurred in rain and grief. My chest felt torn open, every step heavier than the last. I had no strength left.

What had I expected from Sebastian? He was still Carlisles son. A Huxley by blood.

I stumbled across the street, deaf to the blaring horns. Tires screeched, voices cursed, but I barely flinched. My body moved on its own, numb and broken.

Until suddenly, my fingers brushed emptiness.

The ground beneath me shiftedthe edge of a bridge. My palms gripped the cold metal rail, slick with rain. I leaned forward. The void called to me, a dark whisper.

Maybe it would be easier.

Maybe the world would be better without me.

Thenhands seized me, dragging me back.

Are you insane?! a mans voice shouted.

I let out a broken laugh, my lips trembling. I wish I were.

I struggled against his grip, my suitcase slipping from my fingers. Let me go. I dont want to live anymore. I have nothing left.

Theres so much left in life, lady, he said firmly, breathless from holding me.

Fuck that life, I spat, my voice breaking. Theres no life for blind people like me!

Desperation surged. I bit his arm, hard, tasting blood. His grip faltered. I tore free, stumbling toward the edge.

But before I could take another step, something slammed against the back of my neck. A sharp blow.

Im sorry but I cant let you do this.

Pain flaredthen nothing.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

I woke to a voice. Low. Smooth. Dripping with foreign warmth.

Por fin despiertas, mi amor.

My breath hitched. Mi amor??

It was a Spanish word Id only ever heard on TV. It meant my love.

Where the hell was I? And why was I hearing Spanish?

And more importantly, why was someone calling me my love?

I woke to the sound of waves and the soft crackle of a fire. For a second I couldn't place where I was. My head felt like it had been wrapped in cotton, every thought slow and fuzzy.

"Mi amor. My wife... You came back to me."

"Who are you?" I croaked.

There was a pause. "Luciana." He said it like a prayer. "Luciana, you came back."

My hands flew to my face. "No. My name is Emma.

He went very still. I could hear him step back, like someone who had seen a mirror where there should be a wall. Then he murmured, "Emma? I'm so sorry. I thought uh My name is Alejandro de Vega," he said, and his voice was careful, "I live here. I found you on the bridge. I... I couldn't leave you there."

"You called me Luciana," I said, and the name felt like a stone sinking in my chest.

Alejandro swallowed. "Luciana Luciana was my wife. She died two years ago. A car explosion. She looked like you

Images flickered: rain, a bridge, hands that weren't mine.

"You shouldn't have saved me.

"I couldn't let you die. Please, stay. Just for now. Stay until you remember how to live again. I will keep you safe."

I tried to stand and my knees buckled. My vision tunneled and the room folded. The last thing I heard before everything went black again was Alejandro saying, "It's okay. It's okay. You're safe."

When I came back, the smell of sea salt was stronger. Then the door opened.

"I'm Dr. Aljun," he said. "I'm Alejandro's brother. I'm an eye surgeon. You were found unconscious. We were worried about your lungs, but your eyes... your eyes are what brought me running."

I tried to laugh, but it sounded like someone else's dry rustle. "The hospitals told me I would never see again," I said. The memory of sterile rooms and bright lamps and doctors apologizing was thick.

I had gone to so many surgeons. Each time, hope had been a guest that left as quickly as it arrived. I remembered a time on an operating table, the bright white of the lights, the cold of the sheet, the donor who stepped away at the last minute. I had told myself it was bad luck. Sometimes I had whispered, maybe my husband was the one who stopped it. The thought had the bitter taste of truth, and I flinched at it.

Dr. Aljun leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "You have been through a lot. We ran tests. There is damage, yes. But it is not the end. There is a chance to restore your sight. There is a donor."

The word landed and my chest clenched so hard air left me for a moment. "A donor? Who would... who would give their eyes?"

Alejandro answered before Dr. Aljun could. "An inmate came forward last night. He offered his organs. He asked that his donation mean something. He asked that someone see again. His name isn't important. What matters is that he wanted to help."

I stared at him. The world felt dizzy and unreal. There had been a thousand times I had thought the universe owed me nothing, had accepted being invisible. Now someone had given, and the idea of accepting help felt complicated and strange.

Dr. Aljun's voice softened. "The operation is risky. There is no absolute guarantee. But medically, your eyes can be fixed. We can try. You will need strength. You will need rest. Do you want to try?"

I thought of Selene. I thought of the carriage of memory that had carried me through the last years, full of apologies I had given myself, full of questions I had swallowed. I thought of the man who had shoved divorce papers into my hand like a verdict. I thought of Cosette laughing under her breath. I thought of a life that had been narrowed until only air came through.

"Yes," I said finally. "Do it."

The operation blurred into itself. There were the bright lights, the sterile scent, the hiss of machines. Then there was waiting. The recovery room was a place where time moved like molasses, thick and slow.

When they took the bandages off, the world was a watercolor that someone had let water run through. I blinked and blinked until the room sharpened, not all at once but in slices, like a painting being revealed panel by panel.

Then I saw my own hands. I brought them to my face and gasped because I could finally look. My reflection in the window was a quiet woman with tired eyes and lines.

Tears came so fast my vision blurred with them. I laughed, a sound that was half-sob. "Oh my I can finally see.

"You are brave." Aljun said.

How how can I repay

"You can thank my brother Alejandro by staying," he said, "Stay until he can finally move on. I know how strange it sounds. But my brother almost killed herself that night too, when Luciana died Stay until he's... until he's not haunted by her anymore. No strings. When you are ready to go, you go. You will have our help, and that is all I ask."

I looked at Alejandro. In his face there were lines that grief had cut into the same shape as regret. I thought about walking out the door and never looking back. I thought about how many times people had left me. I thought about how different this felt from being shoved out into the rain.

"Can I ask you something?" I said, my voice small but steady.

Alejandro nodded.

"Can I get revenge?" The question dropped into the room like a stone that made ripples in every direction.

Alejandro did not look surprised. Instead, he folded his hands and smiled, slow and dangerous at the edges. "Yes.