Lily leaned closer to see what the man had written, and her grip on the cat tightened slightly. It only squirmed a few centimeters, more of an adjustment than an attempt to escape, but she immediately returned it to the floor.

So soft. So nice. So easily broken, just like everything else.

Who could a person like Rose ever trust? That man, now apologetic and claiming that he hadn't been in control? Lily remembered red, dark red, on both Giovanni and Heine. Her fault, even if they'd been okay, even if they'd forgiven her. She couldn't be trusted.

"I...I don't know," Lily said weakly. "I guess it depends on if...if it's someone's fault when..."

Her voice wavered. She'd always been too emotional, never calm and collected like the others. She swallowed and paused before continuing. "I don't think he meant for it to happen," she said, "but it still might happen again."

It wasn't an answer, but it was the best that she could offer under the circumstances.