She turned slightly, her shadow stretching long against the alley floor.
"I never felt love for my children."
The words sliced through the air like a blade.
Ray sucked in a sharp breath, his body stiffening. Kai's fingers twitched, but he said nothing.
"When they were inside you… I wasn't excited. I wasn't happy. I didn't feel anything."
A gust of wind rushed through the alley, cold and unfeeling, much like the confession that lingered in the space between them.
Esme swallowed hard, her nails digging into her palms. "I'm not even worthy to be called 'Mama.'"
Ray's jaw tightened, his golden eyes darkening.
Kai opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. There were no words that could fix this.
Esme let out another breath, her hands running over her face in frustration before falling back to her sides.
"I already know." Her lips curled into a humorless smirk. "I'm a monster."
Ray flinched, his fingers curling into fists.
"A monster who can't even love her own children."
