I Was the Hero, But She Turned Me Into the Villain

«A woman with white hair. Smiling. Alive»

"My mother."

I swallowed, feeling a knot in my throat.

I couldn’t tell if it was real... or just my mind playing tricks on me.

—"Do you miss her?" —Clarisse asked, without looking at me.

I remained silent.

I didn’t answer. But I didn’t deny it either.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

She didn’t press the issue.

She didn’t need to.

Her voice wasn’t looking for answers, just to acknowledge that she had noticed something.

That afternoon we returned to the mansion earlier than usual, yet I ended up more tired than usual.