𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐋
She repeated her last recording, ringing with amusement to my ears—maybe it was because the initial shock had worn off. She continued.
"You should've seen it," she said, a faint laugh threading through her words. "Willow was normally Mother Teresa incarnate. Always cleaning up after everyone, always smiling through her teeth. Made me wonder how the hell she ended up with my brother, of all people. But after Selene was born—"
A pause.
"—she changed."
The word landed heavy.
"She let the thing cry," Agatha continued, unapologetic. "Just left her there. Hours sometimes. Said babies needed to learn. She started to toughen up. I told her that was bullshit, but she didn't listen. She'd sit in the kitchen, smoking, staring at the wall while that thing screamed itself hoarse."
Ilya's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
