97 Kneel for Your Sins
Hazel’s POV 8
The sidewalk felt like a stage, with me at center and two desperate actors making their final plea Tanya stood before me, her designer outfit wrinkled, makeup smeared across her once-perfect face. She looked nothing like the proud, cruel woman who had tormented me for years.
“Hazel, please” Tanya reached for my hand, her fingers trembling. Her touch made my skin crawl I know I’ve been terrible to you.”
I pulled away, clutching Pepper closer to my chest. He growled softly, sensing my
discomfort
“Terrible?” I laughed, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Is that what we’re calling vears of abuse now?
For the first time in my life, Tanya’s eyes held something other than contempt when she looked at me. “I’m sorry” she whispered, the words hanging in the morning air between us. “For everything. I was wrong. So wrong
The apology I’d waited years to hear now felt meaningless. Too little, too late
“My Ivy needs you” she continued, voice cracking. “The doctors say without another transfusion, she won’t last another day.”
Alistam stepped forward, swaying slightly. His face was ghostly pale, evidence of the blood tre’d already given. “Hazel, I know you hate us both. You have every right to. But please
dop: 1 held up my hand, silencing him. “Do you understand what you’re asking? You want me to drain my blood for someone who stole my life?
Tanya’s eyes widened. Just one donation That’s all we need
That’s not how blood transfusions for terminal cancer patients work
said coldly
One donation might buy her a day. Maybe two Then what You ll be back begging for more I shook my head. I won’t sacrifice my health for someone who delighted us destroying ine
Bro she woke up Tanya insisted, desperation making her voice shrill. “After Alistair Fransfusion, she opened her eyes. She spoke to us
I saw it then- the delusion of a mother unable to accept reality. The false hope. The
denial.
And what did she say?” I asked quietly. “Did she apologize for stealing my fiancé? For wearing my wedding dress? For gloating about how she finally took something I cared
about?
Tanya’s silence was my answer.
“That’s what I thought.” I adjusted my grip on Pepper’s leash, preparing to walk away.
“Wait!” Tanya lunged forward, grabbing my arm. “She’s your sister!”
“Stepsister, I corrected, yanking my arm free. “And she never treated me like family. Neither did you.
T’m begging you.” Tanya’s voice broke. “Mother to daughter-*
“You are NOT my mother. I hissed, feeling old wounds tear open. “My mother died heartbroken because of you and my father.”
Tears streamed down Tanya’s face. Behind her, Alistair looked like he might collapse at any moment
“What if it was you?” Alistair asked weakly. “Wouldn’t you want someone to help you
“If I were dying, would Ivy give me her blood?” I countered.
His silence spoke volumes.
Took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Sebastian’s security team watching from the
ar behind them. Their presence gave me strength.
“The answer is no, I said firmly Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever
Tanya’s face crumpled Then in a move that shocked me to my core, she dropped to her knees on the concrete sidewalk
“Please” she sobbed, grabbing the hem of my jacket. I’ll do anything, Cll give you anything. I’ll beg if that’s what you want.
The sight was surreal–the proud, elegant Tanya Turner on her knees before me Einasca streaking down her cheeks designer clothes collecting dut from the
sidewalk
Alistan tried to lift her but lacked the strength. “Tanya, please get up, he muttered, embarrassment coloring his pale face
She ignored him, clinging to my jacket. “I was wrong. So wrong. Forgive me, Hazel Help my daughter. I’ll never ask for anything else.
For a moment-just a fleeting moment-I felt a twinge of pity. Then I remembered the years of cruelty. The “accidental” spills on my school uniforms. The birthday parties i wasn’t invited to The times my achievements were dismissed while Ivy’s mediocrity was celebrated
The cold resolve that had carried me through the past months hardened once more
I looked down at the woman who had made my childhood a living hell. The woman now prostrate at my feet, begging for mercy i never received.
“Stay there.” I said quietly. “On your knees.”
Tanya looked up, confusion mixing with her tears
“Consider it atonement
continued, my voice steady. “For every cruel word. Every
heartless action. Every time you made me feel worthless.
Alistair’s face went from pale to red. “Hazel, this is going too far-
“Is it” I challenged, meeting his gaze “You both took everything from me My dignity My future. My happiness. And now you want my blood too?
Igenti set Pepper down, adjusting his leash. The little pug stood protectively at my
side.
“Stay on your knees Tanya” I said, stepping back Until you understand what it feels like to be powerless. To beg for mercy and receive none
The horror in their eyes might have once given me satisfaction. Instead, I felt nothing but cold emptiness
Goodbye.” I said simply, curning my back on them both
As
walked away Pepper trotting faithfully beside me. I heard Alistair call my name
didn’t look back
The weight of their desperation should have burdened me. Instead, I felt lighter with each step he chairs of obligation that had bound me to my toe family were finally
breaking
From the corner of my eye, Icaught the driver of Sebastian’s car giving me a subtle nod of approval Straightened my spine, head held high.
For the first time in my life, I had stood my ground against the people who hurt me
most
I had made them kneel for their sins.
And I didn’t regret it for a second
