Chapter 95
I laugh bitterly, a sharp, jagged sound. “Oh, you didn’t have a choice?” I step closer, close enough that he can feel the fire in my presence. “You always have a choice! You had no right to step in! No right to go to them before I could!” My hands shake as I wave them in frustration, tears streaming freely now.
Caleb takes a careful step toward me, but I don’t even see him, don’t care. Lucas and Noah are watching, tense, unsure what to do as I pivot to face Zane again. My chest heaves, my breath coming in short, fast bursts. “I trusted you! And you I stop, trying to steady myself, my hands shaking as they fall to my sides.
Zane’s jaw tightens, his eyes locking on mine. He reaches out slightly, a gesture meant to calm me, and I flinch back instinctively. “Elaine… I p>
“No!” I cut him off again, my voice raw. “I don’t want your excuses! I don’t want your reasoning! You had no right! None at all!” My voice is cracking, echoing off the walls of the living room.
Ivy places a hand gently on my shoulder, steadying me. “Elaine, breathe. Just… breathe p>
I pull slightly away, not out of defiance, but because I need space. My chest is tight, every muscle taut with fury and betrayal. I glance around at my siblings, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. “You all deserve to know the truth. But it should have been me who told you. Not him. Not anyone else p>
Zane steps closer again, his voice low but firm, almost commanding. “I acted because there was no time to wait. You were in danger p>
I shake my head, tears streaming down my face, cheeks flushed. “You don’t get to decide for me! Ever! You don’t get to tell my family what’s mine to tell! Do you even understand how that feels? To have someone take your voice, your choice, your control, and act like they know better than you p>
Caleb steps forward slowly, his voice quiet but steady. “Elaine… I understand why you’re angry. But he did it because he cares about you p>
I spin toward him, my voice rising again, trembling with rage and hurt. “Cares about me? By taking away my choice?That’s not care! That’s control p>
Zane stands there, silent now. His jaw is tight, but I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clench briefly at his sides.
Ivy steps closer again, softly this time. “Elaine… we’re here. We’re your family. Zane… he saved you. We don’t want you hurt, not ever p>
I stare at her, my chest heaving, anger mingled with the faintest trace of relief.
Zane’s eyes soften slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I hear you,” he says quietly, but his presence is unyielding.
I pull in a sharp breath, my fists unclenching slowly. “Good,” I whisper, voice raw and, trembling. “I want you to hear me loud and clear. I won’t let anyone decide for me again. Not you. Not my family. Not anyone p>
The room is quiet now, thick with tension. My siblings watch me, silent, their faces a mix of concern and understanding. Zane remains calm, but there’s something unreadable in his eyes mixture of guilt, resolve, and… respect.
“I need space,” I say again, slower this time. “I need you to leave p>
He looks like he wants to argue. I can see it in the way his jaw flexes, in the slight narrowing of his eyes. Instead, he exhales through his nose.
“I’ll leave Aaron with you,” he says. “He’ll take you home. You won’t be alone p>
“I said leave,” I snap, my voice cracking again.
For a moment, the room feels too small for both of us. Then Zane nods once
“Fine,” he says quietly. “I’m going p>
He turns toward the door. Before he opens it, he pauses, his hand on the handle.
“We’re not done,” he says without looking back.
“Like hell we aren’t,” I reply, my voice low. ” get out anyway p>
The door closes behind him and the silence that follows is worse.
I stand there for a second, breathing hard, my hands clenched at my sides. Then I turn to my family.
My brothers are staring at me like I’m something fragile, which is exactly what I’ve been avoiding. Ivy is frozen near the couch, her arms wrapped around herself. No one speaks.
The anger drains out of me all at once, leaving nothing but exhaustion and fear and something close to shame.
“I didn’t want this,” I say, my voice small now. “I didn’t want you to find out like this p>
Caleb swears under his breath and drags a hand down his face. Lucas is pacing now and Noah has gone still, too still, staring at the floor like if he looks up he’ll lose control.
“I didn’t want to burden you,” I continue, the words spilling out faster now. “I didn’t want to be that person. The one everyone has to tiptoe around, the one you all worry about p>
Lucas steps forward abruptly. “Burden us?” he says, his voice rising. “Elaine, what the hell are you talking about p>
I swallow hard my throat burning
“I planned to tell you,” I say quickly. “I did… I really fid, Just… later. When I figured things out. When I was ready p>
“Ready for what?” Lucas snaps. “Ready to die quietly without telling us p>
The word hits me like a punch
Caleb curses loudly and rakes his fingers through his hair, tugging hard like he wants to rip it out. Lucas slams his palm against the wall once, then again, like he needs the impact to ground himself while Noah turns away completely, shoulders shaking.
Lucas lets out a broken sound that’s half a laugh, half a scream.
“When were you going to tell us?” he shouts, his voice cracking. “After the funeral? After you had died? Was that the plan pln p>