“I think Ryan sometimes believes needing something badly makes it reasonable to take shortcuts.”
I stopped breathing.
She had known him.
Exactly.
“That is a dangerous habit.”
Then:
“If he raises you, I hope he learns better.”
Ethan whispered:
“Jesus.”
The video continued.
Lena spoke about Megan.
“My sister loves people so hard she sometimes grabs instead of holds.”
That sounded like Nora's will statement.
Then Dawson.
“Dawson asks.”
Again.
Then Lena said:
“And Claire.”
My whole body tensed.
She looked directly into the camera.
“I don't know if you will ever see this.”
“If you do…”
She swallowed.
“I am sorry.”
I looked away.
Not because apology fixed anything.
Because it was harder to hate a person who named what she'd done without demanding absolution.
“I knew Ryan was married.”
“I met you twice.”
“You were kind to me.”
“I betrayed that.”
No tears for performance.
Just fact.
“I will not tell you I was confused.”
