"Thea, stand up. Please." Vessara said.
Thea shook her head. "I know I was horrible to you." Her words tumbled out in a rush, her eyes fixed on the floor between them. "I know I should have treated you better. I know it was wrong of me to bully you. But please—" her voice cracked, and she looked up. "Please…Just one bag. That's all I need."
Vessara saw something she had never seen in her sister's eyes before. Desperation. Real, raw, desperate need.
Vessara stared at her, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. This was Thea. Kneeling. Unbelievable.
Thea who demanded. Thea who threatened. Thea who laughed when other people were desperate, when they were weak, and when they fell apart.
"Thea." Vessara stepped forward, her hand reaching out. "Why are you kneeling? Stand up. Please."
"I can't." Thea shook her head, her hair falling across her face. "I can't. All I need is one bag. One. I would sell it, and I would have the money, and—"
