She worries a thumb on her temple. "It is... unsupportable. I must go back soon and synchronize with her. I cannot live this way."

She takes a sharp breath through her nose. "I have lived with worse sins," she says a low voice. "And I should have more... resilience. But I feel like I am reaching the end of myself."

"I was going to tell her. I was ready. I was ready to die at her hands," she whispers wearily.