Chapter 488: Chapter 488: Planning My Return

I didn't have to tell them where I was going, what I was doing. The crowd at the door already knew. Backed off and let me enter, hands touching me, Mom hugging me swiftly, Meira, Liam. Uncle Frank almost crushed me he held me so tight, but I didn't mind.

"We should have stayed, fought harder." His words were muffled in my hair.

"You had no choice." I kissed his cheek and smiled. I could smile now that I'd decided what to do. "But I do."

Sunny next, trembling, teary, but full of love. "I'll never forgive myself," she whispered.

"Silly," I said. "I feel the same way about me. For putting all of you in that position. I should have just cut and run instead of trying to play their game."

Sebastian. He engulfed me in his arms, though his body was rigid. "I failed you."

Damn them, all of them, with their guilt. Though I understood it, of course I did. But I needed them to suck it up if I was going to go back and do what I had to.