The End

"Veronica, you betrayed me… completely; this is the end for us. I don't want to see you again. If you insist on participating in company board meetings, send an agent, or else I'll report my findings to the authorities."

It was an empty threat; Roland couldn't send Veronica to jail. However, that didn't mean he was completely lying. He really didn't want to see her again. Even as he said those words, he was wondering what he would do if she turned up at the company.

"Goodbye." He said his last farewell as calmly and as coldly as he could manage.

"Roland, please—" Her final plea was cut off by the door slamming shut, and the sobs that she'd barely suppressed all this time started leaking out as she collapsed to her knees on the floor.

…

Anna, who had been feeling mighty pleased with herself after hearing that Roland had uncovered the truth, was sitting on her couch, most unhappy.

'I thought that if I could make him feel the truth, he'd like me again, but that was just wishful thinking. I realize now that I was the one who lead to his world falling apart; he can't forgive me just as much as he can't forgive her, that b*tch.'

As the somber realization hit home, Anna curled up on her sofa, wrapped in her blanket, remembering the good times, and trying to figure out where it had all gone wrong.

…

The following morning, Roland didn't show up at the office, which left Barov feeling greatly concerned, as he knew what Roland had uncovered the day before.

He tried calling Roland but couldn't get through.

Knowing the gravity and delicateness of the situation, Barov didn't call Carter, as he usually would, to check on the situation; instead, he called someone who could better help mend Roland's broken heart.

That morning, Roland woke up later than he had in a long time. He felt groggy, and his throat was sore. When he came home, the previous night, he'd immediately passed out on the sofa in his living room.

"Morning, Roland."

To his surprise, his little sister was there. It seemed she'd been waiting for a while for him to wake up.

"Mor-ning," replied Roland in a dry, raspy voice as he sat up.

"I heard from Barov," Tilly said as she moved over to sit next to Roland on the sofa. "How are you?"

"I— I—" He tried to tell her, but words wouldn't come to his mouth.

Tilly out her arm round her brother, who had always been there for her, and pulled him in for a hug, her sweater soaking up his tears.

…

At the Gilen residence, Maggie woke up without familiar presence that she was used to finding behind her when she woke up.

'Where's Veronica gone?'

She stumbled out of her bedroom as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.

Upon entering the kitchen, a kind, old maid asked what she wanted for breakfast, but Maggie ignored her as she looked around for Veronica.

When she looked out of the window, she saw who she was looking for.

Veronica was sat on a bench in the garden with her head in her hands.

Subconsciously, Maggie walked toward her, but then she stopped at the back door. Since entering her new home, she hadn't gone outside.

Just as her will was wavering, Maggie heard a muffled sob from Veronica. A steely determination appeared on her face and she ran out to Veronica, barefooted.

Veronica heard someone approaching but didn't move, continuing her silent sobbing.

The tiny little angel stood in front of the heartbroken songbird and patted her head lightly.

"It'll be alright, goo…"