Page 107 of It Starts With A No

Silence is an answer, too. She’d learned that from her ex-boyfriend, Victor. At least this time, it hadn’t taken her three years to figure things out. “Let me grab my things,” she said to the officers. “I’ll go with you guys.”

* * *

“Wait.” Oliver stepped in front of her when she got to the second floor. “You’re leaving?”

Clary gave him a small smile. “I’ll leave the food for you. It’s safe to eat, and I promise it’s delicious.”

“Clary.”

Her smile faltered. “Thanks for being so nice to me, Oliver.”

“You can’t go.” Oliver couldn’t understand how Clary could think that she meant nothing to his brother. Didn’t she realize how differently Seth treated her? Even the way his brother looked at her spoke volumes.

Without another word, Clary headed toward her room.

Oliver moved over to the banister. “Seth, aren’t you going to say something?”

“Why should he?” Elton asked. “She probably called the police herself, so she’d have an excuse to leave. She probably got whatever she wanted from Seth already.”

Oliver ran down the stairs. “Seth was the one who needed her help.”

Seth frowned. “She told you that?”

“That was all she said.”

“Well, I don’t need her help anymore.”

Oliver tipped his head back. “You’re only saying that because you’re upset with her. Holly did that all the time.”

“I’m not Holly.” Seth got up. “Is there anything else? Otherwise, I’d like to get to work.”

“Seth, she—”

“She’s choosing the Eolenfelds, Oliver.” Seth glared at him. “And we’re not them,” he said and disappeared out the door.

Elton followed after giving Oliver a pat on the shoulder. “I’m heading off to work too,” he said with a smirk.

“How can you smile like that?” Oliver shook his head. Did Elton not realize this was the worst mistake of Seth’s life? Zane.

Zane would be able to talk some sense into everyone.

He was about to rush over to Zane’s apartment when Clary came down the stairs with her suitcase. “Clary, wait. I’ll go get Zane.”

“It’s all right, Oliver. I’m sure Zane won’t care if I leave.”

Oliver went over to help Clary with her suitcase. “Just stay another day. Talk to Seth tonight. I’m sure—”

Clary blinked rapidly and turned her face away. “It was really nice to meet you, Oliver. You’re my favorite of the Andersons.”

Oliver shrank back at those words. “I can’t do anything for you. I’m on my brother’s side.”

Her brows twitched. “I wasn’t expecting you to.” She blinked again and dropped her gaze as she shook her head. “I’m not against you or your brothers.” Her chest rose as she sucked in a breath through her mouth. “It’s okay if you don’t believe me. Bye, Oliver.”

She took the suitcase from him.

Oliver wanted to pull his hair out. “Wait.”

But like his brothers, Clary had tuned him out. One of the male officers took the suitcase from her, and they escorted her to the elevator.

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