Chapter 162

She bowed her head, the memory and the pain and the guilt rushing through her.

It was my fault, Ariston . It was entirely my fault she died.'

She’d never said those words aloud—never even admitted her guilt to herself. And saying it now made her feel both empty and unbearably full at the same time. She bowed her head and tried to will back the tears.

Oh, Lucette .’ Ariston ’s arms came around her and he pulled her towards him, her cheek against his chest. I’m so, so sorry.’

He didn’t speak for a moment, and she simply rested there, listening to the steady thud of his heart, letting the grief subside.

It wasn’t your fault, you know. You were twelve. You never should have had to bear that kind of responsibility.’

I wasn’t a child. And it was my fault. If I’d gone to the hospital earlier, they could have given her antibiotics. brought her fever down. Maybe she’d have been taken away, but she’d still be alive.’ She spoke flatly, dully, knowing it was the truth and that nothing Ariston co