81. FRIENDS

~ Talia ~ - - - - - SIX MONTHS EARLIER - - - - - “Hey, sweetie,” Talia said as she put down a cup of hot cocoa on an empty chair. “I made you a cup. I put extra cinnamon in yours, just how you like it,” Talia then sat down at her usual chair with a cup of hot cocoa for herself in her hand. It was the height of winter and everything outside looked cold and dry. Like all the days before, she chose to stay in her cottage today. The closest thing she got to stepping outside was sitting in her chair and looking out the window. She could see the mansion from here and that was enough. Sometimes she’d see the maids or the guards walking by. And sometimes she’d even catch a glimpse of Violet or Damon. They would stop and wave at her, but she would just pretend like she didn’t see them. It wasn’t like Talia was holding a grudge against anyone. What happened to Adrian was a tragedy, but it wasn’t Damon’s or Violet’s fault. So as much as it hurt her, she wasn’t mad. She just wanted to be left alon