Prologue

I stood in Aaric’s living room, my heart racing as I looked at the evidence I found in my hands.

A photograph. Caitlyn. She grinned, her arms wrapped around Aaric's neck. Aaric's face looked relaxed, almost smiling.

"What is this?" I asked, my voice flat. I tossed the photo onto the table in front of him.

He looked up from his phone, his brow furrowed. "It's just Caitlyn. It's nothing."

"Nothing?" I chuckled, a sound that almost resembled a mockery. I raised my hand, revealing another object I had just found in his bathroom trash can. A used condom. "And this? Also, nothing?"

He stood up slowly, his eyes alternately staring at the photo and the condom. "Maya, are you serious? You're rummaging through my trash now?"

"I don't need to search if you don't keep this stuff like someone who wants to get caught!" I crossed my arms, my body burning with the emotions I had been holding in.

"Look, that picture isn't what it looks like," he said, looking at me directly. "Caitlyn pulled me in for that picture. I didn't even—"

"Don't make her the scapegoat," I cut in. "I know you went to that party. George told me. You said it was just a casual party with your asshole friends, but she was there!"

He rubbed his face, frustrated. "It was just a party. I didn't do anything wrong."

"Really? So I'm supposed to believe you kept your distance all night when you were close enough to Caitlyn to make a photo like this?"

"Yes, you should," he replied in a sharper tone. "I am your boyfriend, Maya. I won't betray you."

I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "Funny you say that because you've been busy controlling my life all this time. You forbade me from going out without your permission. Check who's contacting me, but you? You feel free to do anything, meet anyone, and I have to take it for granted?"

"I'm like this because I want to protect you. Other men will mess you up."

"Protect me from them? I should be protecting myself from you." I stepped back, my eyes piercing him sharply. "That's your excuse to control me and make me a toy. You're not protecting me. You control me while you live like this." I pointed at the photo on the table. "This is proof of who you really are."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're making this bigger than it needs to be."

"Because it is big! I'm sick of being treated like this." My breathing was heavy, and I knew I was on the verge. "I love you, Aaric. But I can't keep living like this with you. With your rules. With your lies."

He didn't answer. He just stood there, his jaw hardened. His silence hurt more than any words he could say.

I shook my head, picking up the bag I'd set down on the couch. "I'm done. If you can't be honest, we're done."

"Maya." He called out to me as I walked to the door, but I didn't stop. I didn't want to give him a chance to pull me back into this toxic circle.

The door closed behind me, and for the first time, I felt free.

But this freedom was bittersweet.

I love him, but I love myself more. And that was enough.

Or at least, I hope it's enough.

>>> 

I opened the door to the house with heavy steps. I let out a long breath, trying to eliminate the remnants of negative energy from the heated argument with Aaric. Although I was tired, I felt relieved. At least I was free of the relationship slowly suffocating me.

The house was too quiet for the usually bustling time with the sounds of Mellan or Dylan, my siblings, joking around in the living room.

I glanced at my phone, considering calling Dylan, my first brother. He must be at the office. I wanted to go to his office and talk to him, let his calm voice and wise advice make me feel better.

My hand was about to type in Dylan's number when a faint sound stopped me in my tracks.

A sob, low but heartbreaking, came from upstairs. My heart sank.

"Mom?" I called.

Without thinking, I let go of my bag and ran up the stairs. The sound of sobbing became clearer, mixed with soft mumbles I didn't recognize. I reached the half-open door of Dylan's room, and the sight inside made me freeze.

In the center of the room, Mellan sat on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest, her body shaking violently with unsuppressed crying. Dad stood nearby, his face rigid with an expression I'd never seen before.

At the side of the bed, Mom sat with her back bent, hugging something which lay on the white sheets stained red.

Or someone,

"Mom?" my voice broke, my heart skipping a beat.

Without thinking about anything else, I ran to the bed.

Dylan lay there, his eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling. His face was pale, contrasting with the dark red stain that permeated his neck. Dried blood flowed from a gaping wound on the side of his neck, creating a horrible pattern on his skin.

"Dylan..." I fell to my knees beside the bed, trembling hands touching his cold arms. "Dylan....."

Mom cried softly, bowing her head over Dylan’s chest. My hand moved to my brother's face, hoping for some warmth I could feel, some sign that this was all just a bad dream.

But there wasn't.

Only the cold made my body tremble.

I stared at his face, trying to find signs of life. Those usually cheerful eyes were now empty, no longer shining. His lips, which always spoke words of encouragement, were now frozen in eternal silence.

"It’s... no..." I whispered desperately. Tears welled up, blurring my eyes. I squeezed Dylan’s hand, shaking it slightly. "Dylan, please... wake up... wake up!"

But he remained motionless.

Mellan cried louder, and I turned to her, hoping someone could explain what was happening. Dad stood still, his eyes staring blankly.

"Who did this?" I screamed, my voice breaking with anger and sadness. "WHO DID THIS?!"

No one answered. Only the sounds of Mellan and Mom's crying filled the room.

I hugged Dylan's body tightly, kissing my brother's cold forehead. The faint scent of his cologne lingered, reminding me of every moment we spent together.

But it only made his passing feel more real.

"Dylan... I need you..." I whispered in a trembling voice. "Don't leave me... don't leave us..."

But only silence answered.

And in the midst of that silence, I felt a complete devastation, a loss that pierced every corner of my soul.