Later, they came one more time.After Victor was discharged from the hospital, he and Marco flew to Australia again. They did not warn me in advance. They simply appeared outside the institute gates. Security stopped them and called to ask whether I was willing to see them.I thought about it for a moment before saying yes.They stood inside the visitor room looking thinner than before. Victor’s hair had turned noticeably whiter, and dark shadows hung beneath Marco’s eyes.The conversation was exactly the same as before.Apologies. Regret. Requests for me to come home.I sat across from them and repeated the same answers I had already given once before.I would not go back. I was doing well here. Please do not come again.Victor stayed silent for a very long time before finally asking in a hoarse voice, his eyes red, “Isabella, can’t you forgive us just once? We’re family. We share the same blood.”I looked into his eyes.I had known those eyes for more than twenty years. When I had fe
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