Chapter 17 - ETHAN REMEMBERS Ethan was twelve when he finally asked the question.
“Why did Serena hate me?”
Isabella looked at Lily.
They had promised never to lie to him.
“She believed you belonged to her,” Isabella said.
Ethan frowned.
“Like a toy?”
“Something like that.”
He looked toward Victor.
“And Dad?”
Victor answered.
“He didn't know enough.”
“Why?”
Victor took a breath.
“Because I thought being powerful meant I could protect everyone without listening.”
Ethan considered that.
“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:
“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.
