Audrey's POV
Kimi lay still, a fragile silhouette against the quiet room. The air hung heavy, thick with unspoken words and feelings I couldn't quite grasp. I watched her face, serene in its unconsciousness, and a strange unease coiled in my stomach. It wasn't a fear, exactly, but a deep-seated feeling that the choices she'd made held a future of regret for her, a weight she might someday carry.
As her older sister, the urge to protect her was almost primal. I wanted to steer her clear of the sharp edges of life, to cushion her from the inevitable heartbreak that comes with following your heart. Yet, a quiet understanding settled upon me: I could guide, but I couldn't control. Her journey was hers alone.
And no matter which path she chose, one truth was undeniable: Charlotte was a part of her. She was woven into the very fabric of Kimi's being. I saw it reflected in the light that danced in her eyes when she spoke of their memories - the laughter, the shared dreams. Charlotte was more than just a name; she was a soul print on Kimi's heart.
Charlotte would always be a part of her, a soft melody playing in the background of her life. She'd slip into Kimi's dreams, stirring the embers of their love, offering both comfort and a painful longing. The echoes of their shared moments would linger in her mind, a constant reminder of the love that once was.
Sitting there, observing my sister, I felt a swell of resolve. I couldn't dictate her decisions, but I could be her anchor in whatever storms lay ahead. I would offer support, whatever regrets might follow. I only hoped she would find the strength to embrace the beautiful, albeit painful, mark Charlotte had left on her soul, that she would allow those memories to lift her rather than anchor her. Because some bonds, like ours as sisters, were unbreakable - even when faced with the complexities of regret.