Chapter 207
“The woman who kidnapped me,” I say finally. “My rapist’s sister p>
Something in him goes completely stil like a switch flipped.
“And you believed her?” he asks quietly.
“She had details,” I shoot back. “Things that actually made sense p>
“Or things that were meant to sound like they make sense,” he counters immediately.
I falter slightly.
He notices.
“She wanted to break you,” he continues, his voice still controlled but more intense now. “You said it yourself she’s connected to the man I killed. You think she wouldn’t twist things to turn you against me p>
My chest tightens again because that does make sense but so did what she said and that’s the problem.
“I don’t know,” I say again, more frustrated now. “I don’t know what’s real anymore.
Zane’s expression shifts again not angry this time.
“Then look at me,” he says.
I hesitate but I do.
“Do you really think I’d go that far?” he asks. “After everything p>
I open my mouth Then stop because the answer isn’t simple and he sees that that hesitatio and doub and it hits him
I can see it clear as day, something in his expression cracks just slightly
Not fully but enough and suddenly this isn’t just a fight anymore, it’s something worse.
Because now?
Now neither of us is sure where we stand.
When I don’t answer him not a word.
Zane just… looks at me, for a second longer than he should, like he’s waiting, hoping and when nothing comes He exhales, It’s quiet, but I hear it.
He nods once mor to himself than to me.
“Yeah,” he mutters under his breath.
Then a little louder, without looking at anyone else in the room p>
“You know where to find me when you’re ready p>
Then he turns and walks out js like that. He didn’t even look back once. And some how that hurts me.
The door closes behind him with a soft click that feels louder than it should and th room stays still for a second.
I’m still standing there, staring at the space he just left like if I look long enough he might walk back in. He doesn’t.
“Elaine Noah’s voice.
He’s voice sounds careful like he’s stepping into something fragile but i don’t even turn to him.
“Don’t,” I say.
It comes out sharper than I expect enough to shut him up immediately.
I don’t want comfort, I don’t want questions and I fknt want anyone in my space while I’m trying to make sense of what just happened.
Because I can’t even do that myself.
So I turn And I walk away up the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last.
I get to the room, push the door open, and shut it behind me harder than I need t, the sound echoing briefly Then it’s quiet again.
I don’t even bother with the lights, I jusy walk to the bed and sit. After a while of just sitting there and Staring at nothing everything hits at once, I drop my face into my hands and I cry.
It comes out messy and uneven, like I’ve been holding it in for too long and my body just decided it’s done waiting.
My shoulders shake and my chest hurts like physically hurts.
“He said he loved me I whisper to no one, the words feel strange in my mouth.
“He said he loved me p>
And what did I do? I shut him down, I shut him down like it didn’t matter ljke it didn’t mean anything but it did.
That’s the problem it did.
I drag my hands down my face, my fingers catching on damp skin.
“I didn’t even say anything I mumble, my voice breaking. “I didn’t even p>
I can’t finish that because what would I have said? I don’t even know and that’s what’s tearing me up.
If I knew he was lying, this would be easier, if I was sure he was telling the truth, this would be easier but I’m stuck in the middle and it’s the worst place to be.
Because part of me…a stupid, quiet part of me Believed him.
The way he said it and the way he looked at me that didn’t look fake.
I’ve seen him lie, ive seen him manipulate. That… didn’t feel like either of those and that’s what scares me.
Because what if it’s real? Whay if he actually meant it? Then what does that make everything else?
I press my lips together, trying to stop the next wave of tears, but it doesn’t work they slip out anyway. Hit Unforgiving tears.
“And what if he didn’t do it I whisper, my voice barely audible.
Then everything I said everything I accused him of My chest tightens again as guilt creeps in, mixing with the anger and confusion until I can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.
“I don’t know what to believe I admit softly and th that’s the worst part It’s the not knowing I pull my knees up onto the bed, curling into myself slightly, arms wrapping around my legs.
I miss him.
And I don’t even know if I should.
Sleep doesn’t come easy i toss, turn, wake up, fall back asleep, wake up again.
And every time I close my eyes, I either see Zane standing there… looking at me like that
Or I hear his voice.
I fucking love you.
By the time morning finally settles in properly, I’m not even sure I slept at all. But I’m awake and my mind is clear.
The kind of clear that only comes when you’ve thought about something so much your brain just… stops arguing.
I sit up slowly, the sheets slipping off my body, and stare ahead for a second
“I can’t stay here,” I whisper to myself.
It doesn’t feel like a choice anymore, it feels like something I have to do not because I want to. But because I can’t keep dragging everyone into this.
Grandpa is already making noise and the board is watching.
Lucas and my brothers are already stepping into something bigger than just family.
And me?
I’m right in the middle of it.
I drag a hand over my face and let out a breath.
“It’s a good thing I didn’t bring my stuff,” I mutter under my breath.
There’s nothing to pack and nothing to delay me. Maybe that’s why it feels easier or maybe harder.
I get out of bed and move through the motions. Ahowr, Clothes wirj Something simple. Something that doesn’t make this feel heavier than it already is.
I don’t overthink it.
If I do, I won’t go I know that.
By the time I step out of the room and make my way downstairs, my chest already feels tight again.
They’re all there.
When I step into the living room, their attention shifts to me almost immediately.
Lucas straightens slightly and for a second p>
I almost don’t say it but I do.
“I’m going back,” I say
Straight to the point, no room to soften it.
They all freeze.
“Back where?” Ivy asks first, even though she already knows.
I meet her eyes.
“To Zane’s p>
Lucas is the first to react, his brows pull together instantly.
“What?” he says, like he didn’t hear me right.
“I’m going back,” I repeat, steadier this time.
Noah stands up now.
“Did something happen?” he asks. “Did we p>
“Did we make you uncomfortable?” Caleb cuts in, concern laced through his voice.
I shake my head quickly.
“No,” I say immediately. “No, it’s not that p>
I step forward a little.
“You guys have been… everything,” I admit, my voice softening just a bit. “You took care of me. You protected me. You gave me space p>
I glance between them.
“And I needed that p>
Ivy’s eyes are already glassy.
“Then why go back?” she asks quietly.
That question it sits heavier than anything else.
I take a breath.
Because I don’t even know how to explain it properly.
“I just… need to,” I say finally.
It sounds weak but it’s the truth.
Lucas shakes his head slightly, frustrated now.
“No, that’s not a reason, Elaine p>
“I know,” I say, meeting his eyes. “But it’s mine p>
That stops him because he agrees but because he knows me and he knows when I’ve made up my mind.
The room goes quiet again, different this time.
Noah exhales and runs a hand through his hair.
“You don’t have to do this,” he says.
“I know,” I reply softly.
But I still am.
Lucas looks away for a second, jaw tight, then back at me.
“You sure about this?” he asks.
There’s something in his voice not just concern.
Protection.
I nod.
“I’m sure p>
I’m not.
But I say it anyway.
Because if I don’t sound sure, I won’t be able to take another step forward. He studies me for a long moment.
Then finally He sighs a long, reluctant breath.
“Alright,” he mutters.
Not agreement, just acceptance.
Ivy walks up to me first and then she hugs me tight lik she doesn’t want to let go.
“You better call me,” she murmurs against my shoulder.
I let out a small, shaky laugh.
“I will p>
Noah comes next.
His hug is firm, grounding.
“Anything happens, you call,” he says quietly.