[Silence could kill him faster than words, he thinks. He can feel his chest tighten more by the second.

His voice is soft in response, but he doesn't back down.]

You are.

[A lengthy pause on his own end, trying to figure out how he wants to word this.]

...which isn't to say that you aren't right. It is awful of me to say that after I abandoned you for two years. But, you should know... it was never my intention to make you feel that way.

I know that doesn't change anything, I just... you're talented, Raina. I've just been faking it all along, but you... you actually could live up to the expectations anyone else had of you. Could surpass them, even.

I didn't want to abandon you. You're my sister, I love you, I always have...

I just... didn't want to be the chain that held you back. And I never stopped to think how it would look from your end.

You're one of the most important people in my life, and you always will be, memories be damned. I'm just... I'm sorry that I hurt you, Raina.

You deserve better than me.