"LISTEN," SAID Mischa.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTulEtqfTwv
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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglXrp90Nd3
Both sisters nodded, emotion choking their throats.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTCbOyTGtk
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOO7oYpIoS
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubgEesffZk
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDrTJZLNRa
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvygBAxRg2Z
