Page 55 of Influence

“Me too,” she answered. “This was exactly what I needed.”

“And what do you need now?” I asked, curious about her thoughts.

Her expression brightened as she said, “Aside from you revealing the big surprise we’re about to experience? Hmm, let me think for a moment.”

I planned a surprise, a secret that filled me with excitement, and I couldn’t wait to see her reaction as it unfolded.

“Well, I still crave revenge,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe someday it’ll be more than just a wish.”

I knew better than to offer empty words about forgiveness or taking the high road. The past was scarred, and those men who had hurt her owed more than just forgiveness or accountability.

“I appreciate that you and Avra never told me just to forget and move on as if advancing means erasing the past,” she remarked, her voice tinged with a blend of sorrow and strength.

I shook my head resolutely. “Absolutely not. Let’s bring them down—I’ll stand by you at every step.”

A grateful smile illuminated her face. “Thank you.”

“Gratitude isn’t necessary,” I responded. “You’re my sister. You’re Vitalis, just like me. We don’t forget. We make sure they suffer the consequences.”

“That’s why I love you, Laya.” She laughed warmly. “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this, but I see so much of Mama in you.”

“You do?”

“Absolutely,” she replied with a nod. “You are strong and clear-headed, commanding respect in ways no one else can, particularly when you put Niko’s brothers in their place that day. It was amazing! And when you and Avra burst in, guns drawn and ready to rescue me, I’ve never felt prouder.”

Tears nearly welled up as I whispered, “It means more to me than you’ll ever know. And you’ve got Mama in you, too. Each of us carries a part of her.”

“I hope someday I can be as strong as the two of you,” she murmured, vulnerability flashing briefly in her eyes.

“Hey,” I said as I leaned closer to her, meeting her gaze with intensity. “Remember that your strength has always existed inside you. You have endured challenges many would struggle to overcome, and nothing can strip that resilience from you.”

“Thanks, sis,” she said, her bright energy filling the car with a shared comfort. “I know this isn’t quite the life we envisioned as children. It’s not centered around medical school and advanced degrees.”

“No,” I responded. “But that doesn’t mean it’s any less filled with opportunities.”

“I accept how things are,” she continued, exhaling deeply as if finally putting down a burden. “I really can’t complain.”

“Our life is good,” I said, feeling the truth as I spoke. “But remember, Cali, your story is just beginning. Living with me is only one chapter. When you’re ready, the world is yours.”

“You’re the best.” She beamed at me.

The car veered off the highway, entering a narrow, dusty driveway that led to an unexpected location. Cali leaned forward, her eyes wide as she observed the surroundings, eager to discover the surprise that lay ahead.

“What is this place?” she inquired, her gaze shifting around the unfamiliar scene, filled with both intrigue and unease.

“You’ll see—it’s only a matter of waiting a little longer,” I replied in a calm, reassuring tone.

“Are we at a farm?” she asked again, wrinkling her nose at the idea, her skepticism almost comical.

“Perhaps,” I answered with a shrug, finding her doubt amusing.

Eventually, the car stopped in front of a sprawling white farmhouse that seemed to glow in the afternoon sun. As we stepped out, the distant clamor of chickens clucking and squawking welcomed us, providing a lively soundtrack to the rural scene.

The property was neatly enclosed by a white picket fence, and just beyond the house, a herd of graceful horses grazed in a sunlit pasture.

“What are you up to, Laya?” she asked as we exited the backseat.

I didn’t respond right away. Instead, I strode to the front door and knocked, each rap echoing against the old wood.

---