Page 61 of Shattered Echoes

"Good," he replies, and I heave a sigh of relief. "Because she deserves someone who's willing to give her their all. And if you're not willing to do that, then you don't deserve her."

Now he is her defender?

There's a soft chuckle on the other end of the line, the sound warm and familiar that lets me know he is half joking.

"Thanks, Henry," I say, my tone filled with genuine appreciation. "I needed to hear that."

"That doesn't mean I won't be an overprotective brother," Henry continues. "I was stupid in the past, and I will never make that mistake again."

I chuckle. "No worries. I get it. How have you been?"

There's a brief pause on the other end before Henry responds. "I've been okay. Just trying to keep everything together, you know?"

"Yeah, I hear you," I reply, feeling a pang of guilt for not being there for him during this time. "Listen, Henry, I'm really sorry for everything. For shutting you out, for pushing you away. I didn't mean to."

Henry's tone softens. "It's okay, Antonio. I understand. I am sorry for what I did as well. But I'm just glad you're here now, talking to me."

I feel a lump form in my throat at his words. Henry has always been the one person who understands me, who accepts me for who I am, flaws and all. I should be able to accept him for his flaws as well.

"I’m just glad we can move past this now," I admit, my voice above a whisper. "I've missed my best friend."

There's a warmth in Henry's voice as he responds, "I've missed you too, buddy. But hey, we're here now, right? And that's all that matters."

And in that moment, as I hear the sincerity in Henry's voice, I feel a sense of hope wash over me. "Yeah, you're right. We're here now."

Henry chuckles, the sound reassuring. "So, how's everything been going on your end? Colette mentioned you've been staying at the old mansion."

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to express everything that's been going on. "It's been... rough, to say the least. But I'm trying to take it one day at a time. Leo's been helping a lot."

"That's good to hear," Henry says, genuine relief clear in his voice. "And Colette? How's she doing?"

"She's..." I pause, unsure of how much I should reveal. "She's been through a lot. But she's strong. She's been painting again, finding solace in her art."

Henry's tone carries a softness as he responds, "That sounds like her."

"Yeah," I agree, a small smile forming on my lips. "She's quite remarkable."

We fall into a comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. It's strange how easy it is to talk to Henry, to open up about things I've kept hidden for so long.

"So," Henry begins, breaking the silence. "What are your plans now? Are you going to stay in town for a while?"

I hesitate, unsure of what the future holds. "I'm not sure yet. Leo wants me to focus on my recovery, but... I don't know if I can stay cooped up here forever."

"It's important to take things one step at a time," Henry advises. "Don't rush into anything. Just focus on getting better. "

His words resonate with me, reminding me to be patient with myself. "Thanks, Henry. You always know what to say. ”

"Anytime, buddy," he replies, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'm here for you, no matter what."

I hang up the phone with Henry, feeling a renewed sense of strength coursing through me. But as I set the phone down on the couch, another sensation creeps in—an insidious temptation, whispering in the recesses of my mind.

I can know what’s going on out there!

With a phone that has internet access right in front of me, the allure of the digital world beckons. I know I'm not supposed to use it, that Leo's strict rules are in place for a reason. But in this moment, the pull of curiosity is too strong to resist.

I glance around the room, my heart pounding with anticipation and guilt. But despite my best intentions, my fingers move of their own accord, unlocking the phone and launching the web browser. The screen illuminates with a cascade of information, and I quickly type in a search query, my pulse quickening with each keystroke. I'm not sure what I'm expecting to find, but what I see shocks me to the core.

Every headline, every article is filled with mentions of bullying and suicide. My stomach churns as I scroll through the results, each one a stark reminder of the harsh realities that exist beyond the confines of my temporary sanctuary.

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