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‘I’m sorry,’ I started, feeling myself shrivel up in the wake of her ire. The confidence in myself that had been growing flaked away under her hard stare.
‘No, she’s not,’ Ewen said. ‘Cora doesn’t need to explain herself to you, given your recent life choices. We are here to see how you’re doing, but if you are going to hurt her, then we’ll be leaving.’
Silence enveloped the room as the tension grew. Ruby narrowed her eyes at Ewen. I’d never stood up to her like that in all of my twenty-nine years.
Her shoulders slumped as she slid her eyes away from us. That wasn’t the Ruby I knew.
‘How are you doing?’ I asked.
‘I wish I was dead.’
Her words were like a knife in my chest. Pain rippled through me. ‘Don’t say that.’
‘My skin itches so much I want to rip it off, and I’m sure the nurses are keeping Seth from me. They keep talking to each other in whispers, and they must be plotting something. Get me out. Please?’
Swallowing, I shook my head. ‘I can’t. They are helping you.’
‘They are torturing me. Cora, please? You’re my twin. You can’t leave me here. I just need a little of something to take the edge off.’
The back of my throat burned. I hated seeing her like this. How had I missed it for so long?’
‘You have to stay. It’ll feel better soon.’
‘Like fuck it will,’ Ruby shouted, getting to her feet and sending a jug of water flying off of the dresser next to her. ‘Even you’re against me.’
‘I’m not. I promise.’
Ewen rested a hand on my shoulder and pulled me back toward him as the nurse came in.
‘I think it’s best if you both go.’
Squeezing my hand, Ewen started toward the door.
‘No, Cora! Don’t leave me. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ A sob wracked her words as tears tumbled down my cheeks.
‘I’ll come back for you,’ I said before exiting the room. A guttural scream echoed out into the hall before the door closed.
Ewen’s arms engulfed me, pressing my face to his chest as my shoulders quaked.
‘She has to go through it. It’s the only way. You can’t rid yourself of the demons if you dodge them.’
‘I know,’ I whispered. It didn’t mean that seeing her like that hurt any less.
‘C’mon, let’s get you home.’
THIRTY-TWO
EWEN
‘I’ve got something for you,’ I said as we stepped inside the mansion. The butler took our coats and tidied them away as I led Cora through the mansion.
‘What is it?’
She’d been quiet since we left the hospital and during lunch. Seeing her smile was a need I didn’t realise could overwhelm me so.
‘A gift.’
‘You don’t have to keep buying me things,’ she said, gripping tighter to my fingers as we made our way around the house.
