beta
Man, I find the brother incredibly irritating. I understand he's meant to embody the archetype of the 'loyal defender who lacks discernment', standing by his loved ones regardless of their faults (my love, could do no wrong type). But I can't stand characters like them. I can just tell no one has told them to shut up before.
Also not cool Ophelia. If you are doing this, as a form of atonement, how are you going to let that man (or the people around you) have that problematic mindset and not call him out?
"Alicia Melfont. That name summarizes the last 10 years of Ophelia's life... of her suffering." Like are you for real?? Alicia had her entire family slaughtered in front of her, died herself, and had to rebuild her family from the ground up while enduring ridicule from everyone around her (yourself included), all because Ophelia had saviour syndrome (and still does) and didn't listen when Alicia warned her about the creepy man. AND SHE'S THE PROBLEM?!
Honestly, I was defending Ophelia until this chapter but the fact that she words; cleaning up her OWN MESS, as some great feat to atone to Alicia is some narcissistic BS. Also, no one asked you to atone??? She told you to leave her alone and YOU decided to obsess over her for the next 10 years. Furthermore, going around wording it that way, sets Alicia up to be criticized by anyone who doesn't already previously know her. Like how are you centring yourself in this situation as a saviour/hero/victim and taking ZERO accountability for your part in the matter? While also pushing the real victim into the role of aggressor/instigator?
Man, Ophelia.... my dude... I was on your SIDE and then you had to go around talking like that.