"Huh?" Violet blinked, caught completely off guard by the question. She hadn't seen it coming.
Alaric's gaze stayed fixed ahead. "You must feel relieved," he murmured, "that you didn't have to go through all these betrayals."
"Well, technically…" Violet said, her tone thoughtful. "I wasn't exactly an orphan. I had Nancy, and she was a pain in the ass. At least, back then."
Alaric pressed, "But you still lived like one. That must've been easier than mine."
"No, it wasn't," Violet said flatly.
That made him turn to her, curious despite himself.
"There wasn't a single day I didn't wonder who brought me into this world and why they left me alone," she continued, her voice tightening. "I used to stare at myself in the mirror, look at my hair, and think, maybe it's because I'm a freak."
