AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stay where I am, hugging my glass of whiskey as Bethany’s return continues to unsettle me, rippling through our family like a wave. The old bitterness and resentment resurface, clenching around my heart like a vise.
I down my whiskey in one long gulp, the burning sensation searing down my throat and chasing away the cold that has lodged itself there. I pour myself another glass, then take a moment to watch the scene unravel before me.
Bethany has everyone under her spell, like she always does. She’s laughing at something Dad has said, and Mom is beaming at her with unabashed joy with tears shimmering in her eyes. Chloe is standing next to them, looking both fascinated and uncomfortable by this sudden canopy of familial warmth.
I notice Lauren has stepped away from the group to refill her drink. She catches my gaze and gives me a weak smile, a mutual understanding passing between us. We had managed to keep things steady during Bethany’s absence. Her return stirs up feelings that neither of us had wanted to relive.
With every bout of laughter that echoes through the house, a sharp stab of resentment pierces through me. I’m left wondering how they could welcome her back so easily after all the chaos she’d left in her wake. Just then, Bethany’s laughter dies down as she notices me watching them from afar. Her smile fades slightly, and she makes a move as if to come over, but I lift my hand to stop her. That’s when our father steps in, his tall frame blocking my line of sight.
“Parker,” he calls out in a harsher tone than my mother had used, “aren’t you going to come over here and welcome your sister?”
At that moment, a bitter laugh escapes me rather abruptly, and everyone turns toward me in shock. I press my clenched fist into my side as the room falls silent.
“What’s so funny about your family asking for your company?” Dad questions me with an even sharper edge in his voice.
Still chuckling bitterly, I decide not to hold back. Maybe it’s the whiskey, or maybe it’s just pure resentment, but I can’t pretend that any of what’s happening is okay anymore.
“What’s so funny is that you all welcomed back the prodigal daughter without a moment’s hesitation,” I declare, my gaze landing on Bethany, who flinches at my icy tone, “while conveniently forgetting that she left nothing but destruction in her path that we all had to deal with.”
The room falls into a hushed silence. Mom’s eyes are brimming with tears as Lauren clenches her jaw. Dad looks at me, his eyes filled with disappointment, but it’s Bethany who seems to be affected the most. She looks at me, and her mask finally falls apart to reveal a flicker of guilt. Chloe just appears stunned.
The best part? I’m not done yet.
“And let me remind you all,” I continue, my voice steady and my gaze unwavering, “Bethany didn’t just leave. She ran away, leaving us to pick up the pieces of the chaos she created, and now, she returns and none of you even question it? You’re all just okay with it? Bullshit.”
“Enough, Parker!” Dad interjects sharply, his face turning a deep shade of red, but I ignore him and keep going.
“No, it’s about time we had this conversation out in the open instead of trying to forget and pretend things are fine."
“Is this what you’ve been harboring all these years?” Bethany whispers brokenly, her eyes large with shock.
I point a finger at her accusingly. “When you were out gallivanting around the world, we were here, cleaning up your mess. You shouldn’t have come back. It’d be better for us all if you were just dead!”
The room falls totally silent, and everyone stares at me as if they can’t fathom what I’ve just said. Truth be told, that was harsher than I’d even anticipated. Still, I’m so angry and hurt by this load of crap that I can’t make myself care.
“I think it’s best if you leave, son,” my dad says at length, breaking the heavy silence that’s choking us all.
I release a bitter laugh of disbelief. “Me? You want me to leave?” I shake my head, setting my glass down and glaring at them all. “Fine. I don’t want to be a part of this farce, anyway.”
Before any of them can say a word in response, I turn and storm toward the door, wanting to get as far away from my family and their misplaced loyalty as possible.
Without so much as a backward glance, I step out into the cool evening air, the slam of the door echoing harshly against the silence. I stride down the driveway, my heart pounding with a mix of relief and regret. I feel liberated from having finally voiced all the pent-up resentment that has been festering within me for years, but at the same time, I wish I hadn’t had to do it. I hate the idea of hurting my parents and Lauren, and I know I’ve done that with my harsh words and abrupt exit.
Suddenly, I hear hurried footsteps behind me. I turn around to see Chloe racing toward me, her cocktail dress billowing behind her. She stops in front of me, panting slightly and looking at me with a strange combination of worry and admiration.
“Hey,” she murmurs as she reaches up to put a hand on my arm. “You’re not leaving without me.”
I stare down at her, stunned. “You sure? You might give us away to Lauren if you do.”
She shrugs. “I don’t care. Everyone needs someone in their corner.”
My heart swells. She’s right, and I’m so grateful that she’s decided to be in mine.
Chapter seventeen
Chloe
“Lauren, I don’t feel like I should be here,” I murmur as I gaze around the dining room where her family is gathered. Parker is nearby, quiet and looking more tense than I’ve ever seen him. I don’t know the full story behind Bethany’s estrangement, but whatever is going on, it’s having a huge effect on him.
