Chapter 161
A Content Warning
Chapters 114-116 contain references to domestic abuse and its aftermath. These moments are written with care and focus on the emotional impact for the characters, but they may be difficult or triggering for some readers. Please take care of yourself while reading and skip ahead if needed–your well–being
matters most.
4
Aiden
The moment I heard his motorcycle outside my door on a Tuesday night, I knew something was wrong. Break didn’t start until tomorrow, and Noah never came here unannounced on a school night. The engine didn’t sound right either–it hit the corner of my street like it had been thrown, ragged and reckless, nothing like the clean, quick purr I knew by heart. My stomach pulled tight.
By the time I reached the door, he was already stumbling across the porch. Helmet half on, breath stuttering, eyes too wild. He didn’t even manage a knock before pushing forward, voice breaking.
“Sir–please–I need help. Please…I need your help.”
My chest clenched. I pulled him in, kicked the door shut behind us. His whole body was vibrating like it could come apart if I touched him wrong.
“Sit down,” I ordered, low and steady, guiding him onto the couch. I pressed a glass of water into his shaking hands and crouched in front of him. “Breathe. Tell me everything.”
The sound he made when he tried to speak gutted me–half sob, half gasp. He swallowed hard, forced it out.
“I got a call–from my mom. Emily’s in the hospital. They said she…she ‘fell down the stairs.“”
My blood went cold. “I’m so sorry… Did the accident happen at home?”
He shook his head violently, water sloshing over his fingers. “At home, but that was no fucking accident. No, I know better. She’s sixteen, she’s not–she’s not clumsy like that. I asked how and my mom–God–she was crying, saying she was just arguing with my father, and Emily stepped in between. She said she slipped-” His voice cracked, fury cutting through the grief. “Bullshit. It was him. My dad. Drunk, assaulting my mom, the way he always was–or both, I
don’t know… But it was him. I know it was him.”
I felt the words hit me like they’d been carved in steel.
“He used to hit me when I got in the way. Every time. And now I wasn’t there, and he-” His chest heaved, his face breaking open. “I should’ve called more. I should’ve talked to her. I should’ve been there. She’s got broken bones, internal bleeding, and it’s my fault. I left her with him.”
“Noah-”
“I have to see her. I have to tell her I’ll get her out. I’ll bring her with me the second I can make it, I swear, I’ll—” He was shaking so hard the words collapsed into sobs. He covered his face with both hands. “Please, I can’t afford the flight. I’ve got a little left but not enough. I’ll pay you back, I swear-”
That was it–I couldn’t sit there and listen to another word. I caught his wrists, pulled his hands down, and framed his face between mine, forcing him to look at me. His eyes were wet, red, raw.
“Stop,” I said, fierce and low. “It’s going to be okay, I’ll take care of it. You hear me? You don’t need to worry about flights or money or anything else. I’ll book the first one out–and I’m going with you.”
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21:26 Wed, Mar 18
Chapter 161
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His eyes widened, wet and raw. He shook his head, trembling. “You don’t–you don’t have to ruin your Thanksgiving for me. Or the club thing–don’t, please,
I can go alone-”
“Never,” I cut him off. My thumbs brushed his wet cheeks, holding him steady when everything else in him was falling apart. “You’re not ruining anything. I have nothing here but you. And I’m not letting you face this alone.”
Comments
R Visitor
your trigger warning should be sooner not here
7 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
