“You can’t go there. You need your medicine every two weeks! Who’s going to give it to you? He might even enjoy watching you suffer!” Tears form in her eyes. Her voice shakes just like my heart does.
The only reason I haven’t left this hellhole is because they’re the only ones who know how to make my medicine—the only thing that keeps mesane.
Otherwise, I would’ve run years ago. Taken Diana with me.
But I can’t protect her out there if I lose my clarity. I’m the only thing she has. And as long as she keeps her head down, keeps the club running, and avoids attention—our father won’t even look at her.
It’s better this way. Ithasto be.
“Diana, this isn’t up for discussion.” I place my hand over hers, prying her fingers gently off my arm. “I’m marrying him whether you like it or not. And if you even think about going to our father with this again, or trying to sabotage it, I’ll tell Mom.”
Her gasp is loud—sharp. Her eyes go wide. “You wouldn’t dare—”
“Try me.”
I frown, locking eyes with her, making sure she knows I’m not joking. Especially when it comes toMom.
“Mom’s been locked up for so long, Ror. She’s in so much pain already, she's not aware. You know what will happen if she finds out you’re marrying into the Petrovs!?” She leans in, scanning my face like she’s searching for any shred of hope.
“She won’t find out. And neither will you tell her.” I squeeze her hand—hard, making sure she understands my words.
“Ror!”
“Stop arguing with me! Can’t you see I’m trying to give you asafelife?” The yell rips out of me before I can stop it, louder than I meant, harsher than I’ve ever used on her.
Diana recoils, blinking rapidly, just as shocked as I am. I’ve never raised my voice at her. I hate this. I hate what we need to go through.
“Safe life?” she scoffs, letting out a bitter chuckle. “This place? This family?Konfetki?” She gestures around the room like it’s a joke. “That’s not safe. And definitely not a life. You think I don’t know we’re still here just because of your medicine?” Her eyebrows knit together, anger overtaking the shock.
She scoffs. “And now you’re going to marry Ivan, knowing you might not even get your meds anymore?! Do you really understand what’ll happen to you if you stop taking them?”
She throws the truth at me like daggers, then lets out a sharp exhale. And for a second... I’m not sure if I’m the big sister anymore. She’s fifteen, but she’s growing up too fast. She shouldn’t at this age—but it’s not a choice for us.
“Diana, stop worrying aboutme. I’m a grown woman.”
I pause. “Start worrying about making something out of your life here. Mom’s not going to live long—you know she’s long lost. You have to keep hiding the money you make. Find the perfect window to run. When you hit the last goal on the list I gave you,you leave.”
It tears something inside me to say it. To teach her how to leave us behind.
To prepare her to survive without the only two people who love her. But we’re only ghosts in our father’s shadow.
And once I’m married to Ivan, I know what’ll happen to me.
She’ll have to fight alone.
“Ror, I’m so close to finding a way to get your medici—”
“Di... you didn’t.” My voice cracks, the sound breaking out of me before I can cage it. Almost a sob. The realization hits like a blade.This is why. This is why she let herself drink herself sick.
Her chin lifts, eyes flashing. “Oh. But I did.”
She pushes herself up from the bed, crossing her arms. No longer crumpled and small—she’s standing tall now, defiant in a way that twists my chest.
“I know Solas’s men drink at that bar every Thursday. I finally got one of his suppliers’ contacts when I drank with some of them.”
She pulls out her old, cracked phone—the one I refuse to let her replace, because every cent she makes has to be saved for the day I’m gone. She shoves it into my hand.
“Here.”
