It's all her fault that this is happening - so why is Verity being so nice to her? Why is she letting Amelia pull herself close again and bury her face into Verity's shoulder? It doesn't make sense. None of it does. Not yet, at least. Years of self taught, terrible habits will need to be stripped away before any of this gets better.

"You're right." Her voice is small, afraid. "I can do that." She knew this would be hard, but she had no idea how much doing the right thing would hurt. Being an adult has been hard for the last ten years. Finally growing up is even harder.

"I suppose I should... not go to the Samhain ball, then," she says after a few minutes. Her temple rests gently against Verity's shoulder as she wipes at her eyes. "I don't want to risk saying or doing anything that could upset him. Or you. Or... anyone, really." She was only planning on going to keep up appearances anyway, so it's not like she's losing anything by deciding not to go now.