Late into the night, memories of the lock of love she had once hung with Laurent played through Cielle's mind like an uninvited guest. She tossed and turned in bed, restlessness consuming her. Unable to shake the thoughts, she threw on some clothes, grabbed her keys and drove alone to the church.
Her body burned with fever and with each shaky step, she climbed to the top, her legs weak but determined. Standing before the lock of love, she gently ran her fingers over it, the weight of memories pressing against her chest. Without hesitation, she removed it, the metal cold and final in her hands.
Before leaving, her gaze lingered on the wish ribbons tied to the prayer tree. Magnus had hung them himself, his own blood used to write blessings for Cielle, his sincerity carved into every word.
Her heart squeezed as she tore the ribbon from the tree, tears blurring her vision. Without a second thought, she set it alight and watched it burn, the flames dancing and consuming the last of her hope.
The sequence of her actions was swift and decisive. As the ribbon turned to ash, so too did any lingering expectation in Cielle’s heart.
As the fire consumed the ribbon, a crushing weight settled on Cielle's head as if the world itself had placed its burden upon her. Her vision blurred and the edges of her surroundings seemed to slip away, fading into a haze.
Before she knew it, she collapsed backward, darkness swallowing her whole.
When she awoke, the soft light of dawn filtered through the windows. Cielle slowly opened her eyes, only to be met with the concerned faces of several monks watching over her.
"Benefactor, after a long night, your fever has finally subsided.”
Cielle shifted on the wooden bed in the meditation room, gratitude flooding her heart. She sat up and bowed, her movements a silent thank you to the priests who had cared for her.
The sorrow in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. With quiet kindness, one of the priests suggested, "Benefactor, you may find peace on the second floor of the back church. The view there is calm and it may help lighten the burden on your heart."
Cielle didn’t immediately head home. Instead, she walked slowly to the back church, her heart heavy with unspoken grief.
But when she arrived, her heart sank. There, in front of her, stood the last people she ever wanted to see, the three of them.
Margaret stood with a selfie stick in hand, Magnus and Laurent by her side, each of them shielding her as they posed for a group photo against the breathtaking scenery.
Cielle instinctively turned to leave, but then a voice called out to her.
"Sister!"
"Sister! You really understand me! How did you know I wanted to come here? We truly are good sisters."
The three of them made their way toward Cielle and with each step they took, she found herself retreating further.
Margaret, without missing a beat, wrapped her arms around Cielle’s, her smile sweet and almost mocking as she added, "Let’s take a photo together."
Before Cielle could protest, she was dragged toward the balcony.
"Sister, you really are obedient. You know, this family no longer belongs to you. You ran away in the middle of the night. Honestly, I wish you'd never come back," Margaret whispered in her ear, the words dripping with venom.
Cielle, her anger rising like a storm, shoved her away, her voice sharp as a dagger. "Why should I leave? I’m as much a daughter of this family as you are! If anyone should leave, it’s you! What, should I be your blood bag? Was I born just to be a blood bag?"
The force of her words left the others in stunned silence.
Margaret was the first to react. Her gaze flickered between Magnus and Laurent, her mouth falling open as her eyes filled with tears. She stared at Cielle, her anger still burning, her fury as palpable as the tears in Margaret's eyes.
And then, without warning, Margaret’s knees buckled.
With a sickening crash, she collapsed to the ground.
"Margaret!"
"Margaret!"
Magnus and Laurent’s anxious voices echoed as they rushed toward her.
But Margaret, with desperation in her eyes, crawled toward Cielle, clutching at the hem of her clothes. Her sobs broke the silence, her voice trembling with plea.
"Sister, please, let me stay in the family... stay with Mom and Dad... with everyone. Please?"
"It’s my fault; I shouldn’t have been sick, shouldn’t have taken your blood. I was wrong, Cielle. I was wrong. Please... let me stay with the family, please, I beg you!"
Tears streaked down her face as she looked up at Cielle, pleading with her eyes.
"Sister! Don’t send me away! I’ll bow to you... please!"
