We agree that no one must know. No one can ever find out. If they did, they would surely separate us.

If Father ever discovered …

I shudder at the thought. As ambitious as my parents are, he would not take kindly to find his daughter had been…spoiled.

Used goods.

I know that what I feel for Vera is improper, but I simply cannot help myself. I still can’t believe she feels the same way about me.

So we keep our secret.

People always say we’re as close as sisters, so that’s what I call her.

My sister.

My love .