"I mean it, Mom. One step closer and I'll jump." Fiona's voice was eerily calm now, a stark contrast to her tear-streaked face.
I watched Mrs. Dubois freeze, her hand still outstretched but trembling more violently. The air on the terrace felt thick with tension.
"Fiona, please," Mrs. Dubois whispered, her voice breaking. "This isn't the answer."
"Then what is?" Fiona demanded, inching backward so her heels hung precariously over the edge. "My life is ruined! Everything I've worked for—gone because of one stupid mistake!"
I slowly moved to stand beside Mrs. Dubois, who looked like she might collapse at any moment. Her face had gone deathly pale.
"Think about what you're doing," I said carefully. "This is permanent. There's no coming back from this."
Fiona's gaze snapped to me, her eyes blazing with hatred. "Why are you even here? This isn't your family! This isn't your problem!"
Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. Even after all these years, I was still the outsider.
