I hesitated. She had always been kind to me — the only one in that house who treated me like family. When I lost my sight, she was the one who stayed beside me while everyone else slowly disappeared.
So I agreed.
When I arrived at her house that evening, she looked older somehow — smaller, weighed down by guilt. Gray strands streaked her neatly styled hair, and exhaustion shadowed her eyes. She didn’t even wait for me to sit before speaking.
“Sienna,” she whispered, clasping my hands, “I’m so sorry for what my son did. I swear, I didn’t know everything. I suspected he wasn’t faithful, but this… I never imagined something like this.”
I blinked away the sting in my eyes. “You don’t need to apologize for him, Beatrice.”
“But I do,” she said, her voice cracking. “I raised him better than this. You didn’t deserve any of it.”
I squeezed her hands gently. “You were the only one who treated me like family. You were kind when no one else was.”
Her expression softened as she nodded. “Then let me help you now. If you’re leaving him for good, I’ll stand by you. I’ll help you pack, make sure you’re safe.”
Her words struck deeper than I expected. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed someone on my side.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “But… are you sure? He’s still your son.”
Beatrice looked away, pain flickering across her face. “He may be my son,” she said quietly, “but the man he’s become… I barely recognize him anymore.”
Silence settled between us. Then she stood, grabbing her coat. “Come on. Let’s go back. I’ll speak to him myself. And to that girl.”
“Sabine,” I muttered, bitterness lacing her name.
“Yes,” Beatrice replied sharply. “Her.”
The drive started quietly. Rain began to fall, tapping softly against the windshield. I stared out at the blurred city lights fading into the dark.
Beatrice tightened her grip on the wheel. “You know,” she said softly, “I once believed Nikolai truly loved you. The way he looked at you… it was different. But somewhere along the way, power changed him. And I did nothing. Maybe that’s my fault.”
“You tried,” I murmured. “You always did.”
She smiled sadly. “You remind me of myself when I was younger — stubborn, too forgiving.” She glanced at me. “Don’t make my mistake, Sienna. When someone shows you how cruel they are, don’t wait for them to change. Leave before they break you.”
I nodded, my vision blurring with tears. “I’m trying.”