Page 57 of Untamed Protector

“Where’s your mother now?”

“She left the country, remarried, and now has two boys—twins. She didn’t leave him solely because of grief, but mainly because my sister inherited my father’s illness from his family. We discovered this when we all got tested after Lara died. Mom said she wanted other children, healthy ones, and then left.”

“She didn’t take you with her?”

“She wanted to, but I didn’t. I hated the look on her face, like she blamed me for surviving. She wanted kids who weren’t messed up like me.”

I turn to face him. “You got abandoned, too, right?”

“It was easier for me somehow. Apparently, she was a teen,” Gabriel says with a resigned voice.

“A kid who’s been left behind always carries that hurt, no matter why the mom did it. I mean, I can say I get why my mom left. It was terrible for her to see me every day, to see the face of the child she lost. It was a never-ending pain.”

“How did you cope, then? Did you rely on your father?”

“No. It was Lena.”

“Lena? How so?”

“Lena’s two years older than me, and she has a strong sense of justice. Those months when my sister fell ill and after her death were terrible. Everyone had forgotten me. They moved me out of our room so my mother could sleep next to Lara and care for her. I felt incredibly lonely. Adults forget kids suffer just as much as they do. Lena saw me getting bullied at school. They called me a zombie because I looked exactly like Lara. No one wanted to sit next to me, and I was pushed around in the hallways. Lena became my protector. If anyone so much as looked at me the wrong way, she stood up for me. The younger kids were actually scared of her.”

I feel the need to stop. Maybe I’ll tell him the rest some other time.

“Is that why you didn’t want a birthday party?”

“The last time I celebrated my birthday was when I was seven, with my sister. There were no more parties or photos throughout my childhood. Everything was a constant reminder of her. The adults around me struggled, masking their pain by avoiding me—the child who didn’t die. That’s how I felt all those years. That’s the burden I carried.”

As I say the last few words, I taste the saltiness of tears on my lips, tears I can no longer contain. Each word catches in my throat, a choked sob escaping with every tear that cascades down my cheeks. The ache in my chest worsens, a physical weight pressing down on me as I cry harder, soaking Gabriel’s shirt.

He gently runs his fingers through my hair, brushing away my tears with his touch and then his lips. Finally, he kisses me, drawing me closer and taking in my pain.

After a few minutes of feeling his arms comforting me, I feel the urge to move. “Let’s go back to the house,” I ask. “I miss my dad. I need to talk to him.”

We leave the sunset behind and walk back home on the sandy path. There’s no one around; it’s a perfect place to hide from the world. I can see why he likes to keep it to himself.

“This place is beautiful, Gabriel. You’re really lucky to live here.”

“Not lucky, just lonely.” His answer surprises me. I struggle to find the right words to say to the gentle giant walking beside me. I still don’t understand if his loneliness is something he’s sought or just come to accept. The truth is, I know almost nothing about him. Maybe I never will. But right here and right now, I want him to know that he’s not alone. Silently, I slip my hand into his. He doesn’t turn to look at me, but I feel his fingers intertwine with mine as we make our way back to the house.

17

Lexi

Dad seemed fine. I caught up with him on Saturday after my beach walk with Gabriel and then again on Sunday when he said he went to the flea market with Dean. He wouldn’t stop talking about how great Dean was, like he was trying to make a point. Dad was thrilled to find a few old pieces of furniture that would keep him busy for a few weeks. In the past few years, he’s found his peace in fixing up old stuff.

Lena’s fine, too. Dominic’s team fixed up her place so she could move back, but he keeps saying he’s not sure it’s a good idea for her to go there until my case was closed. Lena and Dominic are still not getting along. She’s grateful but gets annoyed if they spend too much time together. He pokes at her and then gets mad when she snaps back. There’s definitely something going on between those two.

“What’s on your mind?” Gabriel asks as we drive to Grain Inc.

It’s Monday morning, but an unusual and slightly sad one. This feels different from when Lena used to drive me to work. Gabriel and I talked for hours last night, going over my situation at Grain Inc. from every angle. He’s right—I need to leave the Maiers and this company, take some time off, and start looking for a new job.

It’s also a good way to avoid further questions from him. Gabriel has no idea how right he is. My life can’t be good next to the Maiers. After what Lucas did, no one can blame me for leaving.

“I can’t stop thinking about how everyone will stare at me after that video. I’ve been hiding at your place for a few days, but it’s time to face reality.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Gabriel asks.

“No. That would make matters worse. Things are tense enough between you, Lucas, and Peter. It’s best to stay away.”

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