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Why was she so stubborn?
“Yes.”
“Is she alright?”
“Do you think she is?”
“What do you—”
“You know what I mean, Irene.”
“So, I have to forget the fact that she’s probably the reason why my sister died?” She pulled back, looking angry.
Shit. I didn’t want to do that.
“You think Yara isn’t already blaming herself? She is. She’s feeling guilty. It’s hurting her more. And you just told her that she deserved to be alone, that she deserved the pain, but did she? None of this is Yara’s fault.”
“Wasn’t it? Isn’t it? But of course, you’d think so, because you are a monster just like her.”
“Ouch,” I said, trying hard not to let the smile slip. “You aren’t exactly wrong, but you aren’t right either, Irene. For Yara, losing you is like losing her whole world. She already lost Kat, and because of the Strangler, she’s lost you too. He’s winning again.”
“You don’t know anything.”
For a brief moment, her eyes wavered. Guilt flashed across her face before she shook it off.
“Okay. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be a condescending asshole. You’re a grown woman. I have no right to tell you what to do.”
“She has you. She isn’t alone,” she said.
“But having me isn’t the same, Irene. It’s not the same as having you. She’s not just losing a sister. She’s losing the only thing that made sense to her after Kat died. You’re irreplaceable, and you know that.”
She shook her head, standing up and walking toward the dead stag that was hung over the fireplace.
“Maybe it’s better this way. If I die…” Her voice cracked.
Oh fuck.
“You won’t die.”
Irene turned around, tears in her eyes. She looked fragile. She looked like she was trying hard not to fall apart.
“How are you so sure of that?” She shook her head. “Even I know what the Strangler wants. If I stay, he’ll get it.”
“Because we both know Yara would rather die than let anyone take you.”
“She’d rather die, and I don’t want that!” She yanked at her hair with a frustrated grunt. “I’m hungry. Where’s Enzo?”
“Right here,” Enzo said, walking in. “Trish left. And you two are evil to…” His eyes went wide when he noticed Irene. “What’s wrong?” He placed a hand on her shoulder. She sniffed, moving closer to him.
She looked up, her eyes swimming with tears, and the look in her eyes…
Oh. Fuck!
“Everything,” she said. “But right now, I’m too hungry to even think about anything else.”
“Let’s go home,” Enzo said. The way he said home, and the way she looked relieved, the way her smile came unbidden… I shook my head, making a mental note to let Yara know her sister had a crush on my best friend.
Enzo and Irene walked out, and I followed them down the trail behind the funeral home until we reached the house at the back.
