"That was my job, to never raise suspicion, to blend in so well that no one would ever question me," Zilia said. "But behind that role, I cried when I was alone, just to remember who I really was. I missed watching Idris grow up. And he… he didn't even know me in those first, precious years."
She paused, her gaze lowering as her fingers curled at her sides.
"It was harder than I can explain. And I know… no matter how many times I apologize, it won't fix what's already broken between us. So maybe it's best if you let me go, Casaio. You deserve someone else, someone who can give you peace, a future… a family without complications."
Casaio's jaw tightened, a muscle ticking at the side of his face. Her words hit him like stones, but not because he wanted to argue with them because he had already heard that voice inside his own head too many times.
