I want to scream, but no words come out.
He heads to the door with steady steps. My heart weeps as his back remains the only sight. His tight, broad back that I probably will never see again.
Without turning around, he says, “You’ll always be my Green.”
And with that, he’s out of the door, leaving trails of blood in his wake.
26
Kimberly
Two days later, the psychiatric ward decides I’m good to go home.
The trip back is like a one-way journey to hell. As I come out of Dad’s car, I stand there for long seconds, staring at the Knight
s’ mansion.
A part of me is yearning for one more look. I don’t even have to talk to him, all I need is to see him.
We can just watch each other from afar like we have all these years.
Until we crossed lines. Or he did. I didn’t know we were blood siblings.
If I had, I would’ve…what? What exactly would I have done?
God, this is messing me up.
Dad escorts me inside with a hand around my shoulder. I’m like a zombie, following him, but not exactly participating.
“Welcome home!”
Some confetti flies in the air as I focus on the smiling faces waiting for me – Elsa, Ronan, Teal, Knox, Cole, Aiden, and even Silver.
What the hell is Silver doing here?
I don’t focus on her, though, since a small man attacks me in a hug. I crouch and wrap my arms around Kirian in a strong embrace, my heart thudding loudly in my chest.
“Kimmy, I missed you so much!”
“I missed you, too, Monkey. Have you been a good boy without me?”
“Always.” He grins, then motions at Marian. “I helped Mari with everything.”
I mouth thank you at her and she nods with moisture pooling in her eyes.
Crouching, I kiss his cheeks harder than needed. “That’s my monkey.”
Elsa hugs me next, her eyes welling with tears. She’s been with me the whole time and she didn’t blame me for not telling her. She said she understands and that’s all I need.
Dad smiles at me, motioning upstairs. I nod back, knowing he needs to freshen up and change. He never once left my side during all those tests and doctor meetings. We already agreed on a therapy plan and he said he’ll be there with me every step on the way.
Still, even with Dad’s support, nothing can get rid of the lump that’s been lodged in my throat since that night.
It’s asphyxiating and slowly robbing me of life.
Mum isn’t around and I’m not surprised. Dad said he told her not to come out of her studio – not that she would.
“Look at you, all rosy and shit.” Knox grabs me by the shoulder in a side hug. “May I have this dance?”