you use, all of it comes from George. I’m not asking you to repay him, but you should at least know how to appreciate what’s given to you!”
She shot me a warning glare before turning back to Carrie. Her voice, suddenly gentle, was a stark contrast to the way she had just spoken to me.
“Don’t be scared, Carrie, Mom’s here. I won’t let Grace take Josh away from you.”
My hands curled into fists, gripping the fabric of my dress as I fought to keep my tears from falling.
Nick arrived just in time to hear my mother’s comforting words to Carrie. Without waiting for an explanation, he stormed up to me and grabbed my injured arm.
“Grace, are you that desperate for a man?” he growled through clenched teeth. “Do you have to fight her for Josh? Will you die if you don’t have him?”
With a rough shove, he let go. The pain shot through me, and I lost my balance, hitting the floor.
I looked up at them–my mother, George, Nick, Carrie, and Josh. Their faces blurred together, twisted with either anger or contempt.
Their words, sharp and cruel, echoed in my ears.
Chapter 7
+15 Bonus
I swallowed my tears and forced myself to my feet.
I knew then that whatever I had with Josh was over.
And so was my family.
Looking at them, my voice trembled, but I made sure they heard me clearly.
“You don’t have to worry. From now on, Josh belongs to Carrie.”
Nothing in this house had ever truly belonged to me anyway.
I glanced at Carrie, basking in the attention, her gaze triumphant.
I gave her a small, indifferent smile before turning and walking away.
I had just stepped outside when Josh caught up to me.
“Grace, I love you. If you don’t believe me,” he said, “we can go register our marriage right now.”
I turned to look at him. His face blurred in my vision.
“You want to have us both?”
He shook his head. “Grace, Carrie is your sister. I treat her like a sister. There’s nothing between us–just sibling affection. She needs me right now.”
I let out a quiet laugh.
A moment ago, in front of all our friends and family, he had held her in his arms, kissed her like she was the love of his life.
And now he was telling me they were just siblings?
What kind of brother would kiss his sister like that?
I held his gaze, my voice steady,
“Junior year, when you came over to tutor her,” I said, “I saw you leaning against her shoulder, nibbling her ear. I saw her pull your hand inside her nightgown. You never pulled away.”
His fists clenched as he attempted to explain.
“Grace, we were young,” he said. “We didn’t know any better. We didn’t go beyond that. We never actually did anything.‘
I sighed. “It doesn’t matter anymore, Josh. I wish you and Carrie a lifetime of happiness. May you have many children together.”
With that, I walked away, lighter than I had felt in years.
