“You didn’t know.”
“I did.”
For the first time in years, my sister broke down completely. She buried her face in her hands, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
I gently placed my hand over hers.
“I never wanted your guilt.”
“I only wanted my sister back.”
My father quietly disappeared into the house before returning with an old fireproof lockbox. Inside were photographs, medical reports, newspaper articles, and the tiny silver bracelet I had been wearing the night of the fire. Everything my parents had hidden for twelve years now rested on the table for Chloe to see.
She picked up one photograph showing firefighters carrying two little girls from the burning house. One child was wrapped in blankets without a single visible injury.
The other…
