FIA
I walked down the steps and made it three feet before Father intercepted me.
"You could have been graceful today," he said quietly. His hand caught my elbow, stopping my progress. "You could have been kind."
I met his eyes. "Perhaps it was the culture I was forced to adapt to when I lived with my stepmother and half-sister. They preyed on kindness, ate weakness , and punished honesty. Even now that they are dead, I guess being in the same room with them, I still can't bring myself to unlearn those lessons."
His expression cracked. Just slightly.
"If my words hurt you, I apologize." I bowed, brief and formal. "But I meant every one of them."
"Well… I cannot tell you how to grieve and how to forgive… I'm glad you came regardless."
"I didn't come for you."
I pulled free of his grip and walked back to Cian. He stood as I approached, his face unreadable. I slid into the pew beside him, and he sat too, his thigh pressing against mine again.
