Chapter 45

Since finishing her words, Victoria kept her head down, eyes lowered, completely lost in her own thoughts. The occasional sound of her choking back sobs was the only sign that sadness still lingered in her heart. Sitting quietly to one side, Celestia couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt wash over her. Regret weighed so heavily on her chest it almost hurt to breathe. "I'm sorry, I really am," Celestia apologized softly, over and over, not even sure if she was saying it for what her father had done or for dredging up painful memories. Maybe hearing Celestia's voice broke through her grief a little, because after wiping the tears from her eyes, Victoria finally lifted her head. Her eyes were visibly swollen, the redness around them making it obvious she'd been crying. "It's okay. It's not your fault," she said gently. "I'm upset, sure, but not because of you. You really don't need to apologize-this is me, being overly emotional." Truth be told, if she hadn't moved to Westland all those