an's

ithout a word. The silence between us was not calm, but it was loud in

rned back to the road, jaw tight, fingers locked around the steering wheel. I should not have looked,

ugh she quickly looked away each time. Her arms were folded across her chest like

And Xavier... he has not smiled like

e," she said, her voice sharp. "Falling for the man investigating

. "Your mother deserves a

ped. "So do not sit there actin

I replied. "I just think you a

face full of heat. "You t

right more than you want

ush me,"

ave up everything for me. I will not let anyone c

d. "Are you thre

you are so desperate to ruin some

o weeks, Lucian. She barely knows him. She is forge

ung to her body. She was angry. Yes! But there was something else under it. Pain, may

either, despite being soft and emotional. It reminded m

e?" she shouted suddenly, sn

said, keeping

t did I j

k away from her chest. The fabric did nothing to hide what was undern

ut forgetting your fath

sure if I was mockin

t me like that

t like that, the silence returned, but this time, it was

y neck with one hand, trying to k

itter laugh and leaned back

were betraying me. God, why now? She was too young for this, too

muttered. "If you did, you would n

street. "They are adults. It is not your ca

st. I could feel her pulling away, not just physically, but from the con

" she s

t let he

in front of her house and parked, then turned to face her fully. "You are s

t me in surprise. I shifted slightly, feeling the uncomfortable pressure in my lap. It was th

ce," I said, my voice gentle. "He meant the world to you.

ge of her dress. Her voice broke when she finall

in her voice pulled at something raw inside me. I wanted

ere. "Not through anger. Just... tell her how you

ok her hands in mine. They were small

hold back the tears. "Will you..."

uietly. "Whatever it i

omething else. "I have not slept alone since... sin

rstood. I had seen that kind of grief befor

ds. "I will stay until your mum gets ho

ered behind her eyes, like she had been given something she d

somewhere else to be?" s

ght. Besides, I do not think I

ll joined together. I should have let go. I should have stepped back. But I did not. Because, at that moment, I was no lo