Chapter 48
"Why didn't you tell someone?"
"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.
"Your leg. Why didn't you tell someone? Me, or Naboo, or anyone?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. Why didn't you say anything?"
"No, I don't. Just leave me alone, Saboo."
"No. Now tell me why you didn't say anything."
"It's nothing to do with you."
"Yes it is. I care about you. Tell me, Vincent."
"I didn't want you to find out."
"Why not?"
"Because you would've thought I was weak."
"Why would I think that?"
"Because I gave in."
"You aren't weak. You shouldn't have done it, though."
"I know. But I had to. I deserved it."
"You did not deserve it. Why would you think that?"
"Julia and Noelle. After everything I did to them, I deserve it."
"You do not."
"I do."
"You don't. When will you realise? You don't deserve to be hurt. The past is the past, it's gone. You have to stop punishing yourself."
"I hurt them. Why shouldn't I be hurt?"
"You don't deserve it."
"And they did?"
"No, but that was then. You were a child. You have to stop hurting yourself because of your past."
"I didn't stop. I never stopped."
"You did, though. You stopped. You left. You left and didn't go back. You could have been killed, a child sleeping rough in London, but you didn't go back. You stopped."