Aria pov
"Please!" She fell to her knees. "Please, I'm begging you. I know I don't deserve mercy. I know I've done terrible things. But Aria" Her voice cracked. "You're my sister, my only sister. Please don't let them send me to prison."
I looked down at her—my sister, on her knees, begging for mercy she absolutely did not deserve.
Every instinct screamed at me to walk away. To let her burn. To watch her face the consequences she'd spent years avoiding.
But then I heard Noah's voice in my head: Family forgives each other. Even when it's hard.
And Damien's: Don't become what you hate.
And Olivia's: Forgiveness is for you, not her.
"Get up," I said quietly.
Vivian looked up, hope flickering in her eyes.
"I said get up." I stepped back. "I'm not doing this with you on your knees like some kind of martyr."
She stood shakily, wiping her face.
