Chapter 19. Truths

Calming down gradually, my mind goes blank. And I just stare at the floor through a glassy gaze as Chelsea keeps patting my hair.

“I’m no different from you, Tara,” she says in a soft tone. “We’ve both walked through that moment in our life when we question our existence and identities.”

I blow my nose into the hem of my dress. To be honest, I have an absolute apathy towards Chelsea’s speech. It seems she doesn’t care about my interests, though. So I let her narrate on.

“At fifteen, I watched my father grow deeply rooted in politics while also messing with Lupin. The most cruel one, actually—Gratfiend Lupin. I don’t know the full story of it. All I remember is seeing my beloved parents go down by the sword. Our home had been raided, my family’s blood spilled. No one can ever tell you this except me: I once bore the name Yesli Toorsman. But you wouldn’t hear of a Toorsman now because my family’s name was drowned by blood.”

Chelsea pauses, while I pull away