Chapter 4 Lila's Memory

Chapter Four: Lila's Memory

The name Lila sat like glass in her throat-fragile, dangerous, and always there.

Elena hadn't spoken it aloud in years. She rarely thought about her sister directly, not without feeling that old twist in her chest-the guilt, the what-ifs, the too-lates. But when she looked at the tiny photograph resting on the counter beside Tobias, the air left her lungs.

A young girl in a green dress, spinning beneath autumn leaves.

Just like Lila.

She reached for the picture with trembling fingers, but stopped short. "Where did you get this?"

Tobias looked at her gently, almost sadly. "The moment you walked in, time whispered her name."

Elena swallowed hard, trying to hold the wave back. "You don't understand. It was my fault. I dared her to race across the lake. She wasn't as fast as me. I didn't even hear the ice crack."

She couldn't go on. Her voice frayed.

"She fell through. And I-" Elena's breath hitched. "I wasn't there."

Tobias nodded slowly. "You've been carrying that moment ever since. Like a broken spring winding tighter and tighter."

Her eyes welled, but she refused to let the tears fall. "If I could just see it. Know for sure."

He picked up the watch again and held it toward her.

"Then let it show you."