Chapter 17 - ETHAN REMEMBERSEthan was twelve when he asked the question.
“Why did Serena hate me?”
Isabella looked at Lily.
They had promised never to lie.
“She believed you belonged to her.”
Ethan frowned.
“Like a toy?”
“Something like that.”
He looked toward Victor.
“And Dad?”
Victor answered.
“He didn't know enough.”
Ethan studied him.
“Why?”
Victor took a breath.
“Because I thought being powerful meant I could protect everyone without listening.”
Ethan nodded slowly.
“That was stupid.”
Victor almost laughed.
“Yes.”
Ethan looked at Lily.
“Did you save me?”
Lily hesitated.
“You saved yourself too.”
“How?”
“You reached for me.”
Ethan smiled.
Then he asked something else.
“Were you scared?”
“Very.”
“Why did you do it?”
Lily looked at him.
“Because you were smaller than me.”
He laughed.
“That’s it?”
“That was enough.”
For Ethan, it was.
He hugged her.
Victor watched.
May you like
This time there was no jealousy.
Only gratitude.
