No one argues.
Because there’s nothing left to defend.
And for the first time since this all began, it feels like they finally understand, Lily isn’t walking in here to be welcomed back.
She’s walking in to see whether this family is worth forgiving at all.
Before anyone can answer, the lift opens again, spitting Lily out into the room before any of us are remotely ready.
Hair pulled back in a loose braid, coat hanging open, cheeks flushed from the cold London air. She scans the room once, taking in every face, every tension, no doubt remembering the last time she was in this room, how it was us versus her with only Cora and Owen standing up for her.
My chest tightens painfully.
This is not the girl they sent away.
This is the woman they failed.
When her eyes meet mine, something softens, just for a heartbeat. Enough to remind me I still belong at her side.
Then she looks away as Da takes an unconscious step forward, stopping himself.
For the first time in my life, he hesitates.
“I’m okay,” she says softly, for my ears only. Then, clearing her throat, stronger, “I’m here. Let’s get this over with.”
The silence that follows is unbearable.
Jonathan steps forward, voice strained. “Lily—”
“No.” She lifts a hand again, and it’s not rude, it’s boundaries. Ones she’s earned. Ones we broke. “I should speak first.”
My stomach knots. I want to go to her, pull her close, shield her, apologise for every second she was alone, but this isn’t my moment. It’s hers. And we deserve whatever she has to say to us.
“Right,” she says, drawing in a breath. “So, let’s talk about the fact you threw me out.”
Bren flinches, Da goes red, Jonathan looks like he’s swallowing broken glass, and Helen’s eyes shine.
“You didn’t ask. You didn’t listen. You didn’t give me a chance.” Her voice stays level, but it shakes at the edges. “You thought the worst and you left me out there alone. I learnt how to survive because I had to, not because anyone here helped me.”
Every word lands like a blade between the ribs.
Lily swallows, then gestures to the room. “But what hurts most is that you all thought banishing me was justice. That it was the right thing to do. And none of you paused to consider the consequences if you were wrong.”
Jonathan collapses into a chair like his legs give out, Helen’s hand flies to her mouth, Bren shifts, clearly uncomfortable, and Owen watches her like he’s daring anyone to challenge her.
No one moves to touch her.
Da clears his throat. The sound is rough, strained.
“I—” His voice fails him. He drags a hand over his face, the weight of years pressing down on his shoulders. When he speaks again, it’s not the voice of a Mafia enforcer or a man blinded by hate.
It’s just a broken man.
“I owe you an apology,” he rasps.
The words land heavily but Lily doesn’t respond. Doesn’t fill the silence for him. She folds her arms loosely over her chest and waits.
“I was wrong,” Da continues, blunt and unvarnished. “About you, about everything.”
