It felt like swallowing something that was too hot, the bitter guilt that crept through her. If she had just listened to Alvin, none of this would have happened. She felt the prickle of tears at the corners of her eyes and she blinked them back. "I'm sorry," she whispered, now too afraid to look at him. She had caused so much heartache and it felt like it would crush her. Her mind was still whirling with everything that she was trying to blend together, but she just couldn't put the thoughts in order.

They'd reached town now, and Sloane had retreated further into herself, would have drifted away completely if it weren't for her tight hold on Lester's hand. The few short streets left in their walk passed in silence and she was conscious of the fact, but didn't know what else to say. There was too much weighing down on her that she couldn't even think straight.

Upon arrival at her house, she held her breath. It took her a few solid minutes of standing at the front door before she could finally push her way into her childhood home. It felt the same and so different at the same time. Merlin she just hoped they could forgive her.