Chapter 43
His eyes Mckered everywhere else the floor, the wails, the distant staircase Rat newer mat mine fellt fadlefed ott him in waves, like he knew exactly what I had seen upstairs and was hoping I wouldn’t say more.
My hands balled into fists at my sides.
I let out a humorless laugh, the sound brittle and sharp, and it made my mother flinch. Really, Mum? Find think F just making this up?”
She sniffed, wiping at her tears as if that would somehow erase the weight of her accusation. I’m not calling you * liar,” she said, her voice quieter now, but still heavy with frustration. But maybe… maybe you need to see someone. A therapist, maybe. You’ve been acting so weird lately.”
1 blinked at her, dumbfounded. For a moment, I couldn’t even process what she’d just said.
Oh, I’m the weird one, I thought bitterly, biting back a sharp retort.
Weird. That’s what she thought this was? That I was losing my mind because of some deep–seated resentment about her relationship?
My lips curled into a sneer. “Weird, Mum?” I repeated, my tone dripping with disbelief. “That’s your explanation? You think I imagined Ethan turning into a monster upstairs? That I’m hallucinating?”
Her gaze faltered for just a moment, but she quickly straightened her spine, her eyes hardening. “I didn’t say that. I just think… maybe you’re stressed. Or overwhelmed. It’s been a lot lately with the wedding-”
“This has nothing to do with your damn wedding!” I snapped, my voice louder than I intended.
Greg’s hand tightened slightly on her arm, as if trying to physically restrain her from engaging further. “Camila,” he called out, his voice low and even, “no one’s accusing you of lying. But maybe-”
“Don’t,” I interrupted, my voice icy as I finally turned my glare on him. “Don’t you dare try to play the good guy here, Greg. You know what’s going on. Don’t you?”
“Camila, stop,” my mother said, stepping between us. “This is enough.”
“No, it’s not!” I yelled, my frustration boiling over. “You don’t even see it, do you? He’s hiding something! They’re hiding something!” I pointed toward the staircase, my finger trembling. “Ethan isn’t who you think he is, Mum. And
neither is Greg.”
Greg’s expression, darkened slightly, his calm façade cracking just enough for me to notice.
“Enough!” my mother shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. She looked at me, tears streaming down her face again. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I can’t do this right now. I can’t. I’m trying so hard, Camila- so hard–to keep this family together, to make us happy. And all you’re doing is tearing it apart!”
The words cut deeper than I expected. My throat tightened, but I forced myself to swallow the lump forming there.
“Mum,” I whispered, my voice barely audible now, “I’m trying to protect you. To protect us. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know it’s not normal. You have to believe me.”
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Chapter 43
She shook her head, her shoulders slumping. “1… I don’t know what to belleve anymore.”
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, stunned and speechless.
Greg lingered for a moment, his gaze finally meeting mine. There was something in his eyes now, something dark and unspoken that made my stomach churn.
“Goodnight, Camila,” he said softly, before he followed my mother down the hallway.
“Fuck you all,” I whispered under my breath. “FUCK YOU ALL!”
It rattled in its frame, but I didn’t The air outside was cold, sharp, and biting as I slammed the front door behind me. care. I was already halfway down the porch steps, tears streaming down my face, before the echo of my words-“FUCK YOU ALL!“– even had time to fade. My chest was tight, my breathing shallow, each sob catching in my throat as I stumbled forward into the night.
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