"LISTEN," SAID Mischa.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu736wV3m2L
She placed her hand gently against Zoe's wet cheek. Her shoulders were bobbing, her chest heaving. Eye contact was hard for her, but she recognized the moment as much as Mischa and struggled to contain her emotions.
Mischa rested her other hand on Hania's trembling shoulder. She was quiet but her grimaced, tearful expression made her almost unrecognizable.
"Listen," Mischa repeated, trying to keep herself stable. "I want you to know that I had to stand up for the truth. I just had to. I couldn't let them make me say something that wasn't true. Your integrity, your dignity, your honor----they're not for sale. Not ever. Not to anyone. Do you understand?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rBZe9F7eu
Both sisters nodded, emotion choking their throats.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVuGG1eC1p
Mischa took a deep breath. "You know what I care about the most? I care about the two of you making the most of your future. You have so much going for you and you're going to be wonderful at whatever you do. Whatever you do. I don't care if you become nuclear scientists or schoolteachers or garbage collectors. Just promise me you'll love what you do and that you'll do it with all your heart.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRakJlwDry5
"You're going to accomplish amazing things. You're going to make lifelong friends. You're going to fall in love and, I hope, have children that fill your heart with love," Mischa concluded with a whisper.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mFVqMsSQY
She brought the two girls closer and they collapsed into each other. Still, after all this time, it was utterly incomprehensible to Mischa that this was happening, that events had spiraled so wildly out of control.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG83AF0hin2
Mischa closed her eyes and listened to them breathe. She pretended that this moment wouldn't end, that if she never let go of the, this moment would never end.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgshScQ7HX
