You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 209

A nurse was standing by the bed with a file in her hand. When she turned slightly, she unintentionally revealed Vlyrissa's face to me.

The woman before me barely resembled the one I had always known of.

Her skin was drained of color, washed in sickly pallor. Angry red shadows clung beneath her eyes.

She had multiple tubes connected to her wrists.

Her eyes brightened and flashed with disbelief the instant they saw me. "Zerali?"

I didn't move. Just stood there at a distance, watching her.

The nurse turned back to her, scribbled something onto the file before closing it. "That'll be all for now, ma'am." She dipped her head and left the room.

Vlyrissa never once looked at her, her entire world stayed fixed on me.

"You came," she said weakly, a fragile smile touching her lips. "I wasn't expecting you. Didn't believe my husband when he told me you'd come."

My gaze traveled slowly over her; head to toe.

She looked too small. Too worn. Too broken for the kind of woman she was. I was staring at her and hardly could I see Vlyrissa Thorne. This version felt like a ghost of who she used to be.

"Was it necessary? Trying to take your life?"

Her eyes dropped instantly, shame creeping across her face like a slow bruise.

"What, you wanted me to live with the guilt that you died because of me? Was that the plan?"

She shook her head, the movement barely having strength. "I'm sorry, Zerali. I didn't want to hurt you any further. I guess I was too frustrated to think of the consequences this would have had on you."

I folded my arms, seething with quiet anger. "I've been through worse shit than you, you know, and not once did I attempt suicide. So, how could you simply because you have a daughter you aren't on good terms with?"

"Simply?" Her brows pulled together. "Zerali, you were the only reason I kept living. You have no idea how difficult it was to reach where I am today. I endured a lot of shit, made a lot of sacrifices and built myself to be strong. Just for you. My husband wanted us to have kids, but I refused 'cause I didn't want to have any when I hadn't found you. I wanted everything—all of this—to be for you.

"Now, finding out you were the same girl I had hurt and won't forgive me, it's worse than death. It makes everything meaningless."

It took me a moment longer than I wanted to respond, only because my voice would've broken if I'd spoken too soon.

"Well, I've always wanted to find my mother. I used to be scared the reason I was separated from my family was because I wasn't wanted."

"Never!" she gasped lightly. "Your stepmother was just the only one who didn't want you, then she made your father think the same. And your father, blinded by his love for her, did whatever she said. He couldn't leave that woman no matter what sins she committed."

Her gaze shifted to the ceiling, lost in memory.

"I'm sorry, Zerali," she murmured. "I failed you as a child and did the same as an adult. " She looked at me. "There is no excuse for the sins I've committed. But all I ask is a second chance. Please. Being a mother to you is all I've prayed for. Don't take this from me."

****†****†

The movie murmured on in the background, its shifting light the only thing painting the bedroom in restless shadows.

I lay spent beside him, my cheek resting on his chest, my finger tracing idle, thoughtless paths over his skin.

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