Kaitlyn stared at the parchment, her mouth hanging agape. After a few long seconds, she shook herself and protested, "But that was years ago!"
"Quite a few, yes. Still, I was surprised by how little I was worth. It wouldn't have taken long to recoup the cost. A good trade, on your side."
Jessia sounded almost cheerful, as though they were discussing the price of fruit at the market. But her fingers had tightened around the parchment, and I noticed a slight tremble in the hand holding it.
"You don't understand. We had debts, obligations to the church. Your brother—"
"My brother?" Jessia tilted her head, looking genuinely curious. "Where is he? The records were rather scarce concerning him."
"He... left," Kaitlyn said evasively. "But trust me, it was necessary! Our family would have been ruined. You would have lost everything alongside us!"
"So that was it, hmm? Everyone, or just me. I suppose the choice was obvious when you put it that way."
