“You sold me to Caleb Ryland because you thought I was worth less than the money he offered.”
“I've apologized for that.”
“No. You've explained it.”
The room went silent.
Lara spoke calmly.
“You've explained why you were desperate. You've explained why you were frightened. You've explained why the arrangement seemed practical.”
She looked directly at him.
“But you have never once said that what you did to me was wrong.”
Thomas lowered his gaze.
For the first time that evening, he looked genuinely ashamed.
“I was wrong,” he whispered.
Lara did not move.
He swallowed.
“I was cruel to you.”
Elias watched quietly.
Thomas's voice cracked.
“I was cruel long before Caleb Ryland ever approached me.”
Lara felt unexpected tears rising.
“I know.”
“I made you feel unwelcome in your own home.”
“Yes.”
“And I convinced myself that because I paid the bills, I had the right to speak to you however I wished.”
She nodded.
“That is exactly what you did.”
Thomas covered his eyes briefly.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
He looked up.
Her voice remained gentle.
“Because I don't know whether I can.”
He nodded slowly.
Then Lara stood.
“There is supper on the stove.”
Thomas blinked.
“What?”
“You may eat with us tonight.”
He stared.
She continued.
“And you may stay in the guest room until morning. There's a stagecoach toward Deadwood tomorrow afternoon.”
His face changed.
“You're sending me away?”
“I'm giving you shelter for the night.”
“But I have nowhere—”
“Thomas.”
He stopped.
She looked at him steadily.
“I know what it's like to arrive somewhere with no money, no family willing to help, and no idea where you'll sleep.”
His eyes filled.
“Lara…”
“I won't leave you outside in the snow.”
She paused.
“But I will not hand you control over my life because you finally need something from me.”
Thomas bowed his head.
And for the first time in their relationship, he accepted an answer from his younger sister without trying to argue her out of it.
That night, he ate stew at the table.
He complimented the bread.
Lara thanked him.
Nothing more.
The following morning, Elias helped load Thomas's luggage onto a wagon.
Lara gave her brother enough money for a modest room in Deadwood and a few weeks of necessities.
Not a fortune.
Not ownership.
Not forgiveness purchased with cash.
A chance to begin again.
At the wagon, Thomas looked toward the house.
“You really built all this?”