Page 5 of Branches of Betrayal

“I know,” Hadina said softly, rubbing her temples. Guilt churned in her stomach at her actions, but it somehow did not outweigh the absolute devastation she was feeling at the loss of Peyton in her life. She knew in her heart that she would get her back, but also knew that Peyton wouldn’t be the same when they did. “I’ll apologize to her.”

Harris sighed. “Hadina, you can’t do all of this on your own. You’re going to run yourself into the ground. We need you to be on top of your game if we wanna get Peyton back.”

“Adrian, I… I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never cared about anyone the way I have about her. You know what we’ve done to people. Can you imagine that being done to her?” Hadina’s voice broke and she cursed herself internally for being so weak. “Demi is going to break her and I don’t think I’m a good enough person to be able to piece her back together.”

Harris leaned forward in his chair and using his uninjured arm, he took hold of Hadina’s hand. She was tempted to throw him off, but she honestly didn’t have the energy to keep fighting.

“You’re the strongest person I know, Hadina. But you know what? Peyton is strong as hell too. She can absolutely handle whatever Demi throws at her. Hell, she fell in love with you so the girl obviously loves to live life on the edge.”

She couldn’t help the snort that escaped at his attempt at a joke, but it turned into a strangled sob at the back of her throat. “I can’t lose her.”

“We won’t let that happen. But you’ve got to sort your shit out,jefa.”

Hadina nodded and stood, wiping her face with the backs of her hands. Throwing her hair over her shoulders, she steeled herself and forced herself to become the Hadina Adis everyone knew her to be.

“Tengo esto.But first, I’m going to apologize to my baby sister.”

Making her way upstairs,Hadina took her time to consider what she was going to say to her sister in apology. She hated that she’d snapped at her, and hated the fact that she had sounded a bit too much like Zelina.

Stopping outside Piper’s bedroom door, she tapped lightly. She knew Piper was inside from the light filtering under the doorway, but her sister didn’t answer.

“Pip, I know you’re in there.”

“Go away, Hadina.”

Hadina rolled her eyes, suddenly transported back to when they were teenagers. It wasn’t the first time she’d stood outsidethis door, waiting for entry so she could beg forgiveness for her quick temper.

“Piper, I’m coming in.”

She opened the door and the sight before her caved her chest wide open. Sitting on top of her duvet, Piper was curled up by her headboard, sobbing into one of the turquoise throw pillows. Mascara streaked down her pale cheeks, black smudges staining her chest and the pillow she clutched there.

“What happened to that tough girl who just yelled at me? I think I liked her.”

Piper sniffled, wiping her nose with a tissue from her nightstand. “You yelled back at her! If you liked that version of me so much, maybe you should go work shit out with Zellie.”

“Oh, Pip,” Hadina said, making her way inside the room. She closed the door behind her and walked over to the plush bed, kicking off her heels before climbing up beside her little sister. “Lo siento, cariña.I was an asshole and I’m sorry for taking my pain out on you.”

“I’m worried too, you know. I know Peyton is, like, your person…but she’s my friend too, Hadina. Besides Kaira, she’s one of the only people who know about our life and didn’t run for the hills. She’s family and I’m worried too.”

The dam of her tears burst again and Piper buried her face in her hands. Hadina pulled her by the shoulder and enveloped her in a hug, rubbing circles across her back.

“I know, Pip. I know. I was being selfish. I just—this is new to me.Caringis new to me. I feel like my chest is being ripped open and there’s nothing I can do but bleed out.”

Hadina hadn’t expected to make such an admission and the honesty of it took her aback. It seemed like Peyton had created a new, softer side of her and she couldn’t bury it, no matter how hard she tried.

Pulling back a little so she could look at her, Piper caught Hadina’s gaze. The pity in her eyes was abundant but honestly, Hadina was pitying herself too. She thought she was going to be able to keep it together but the second Piper leaned forward for another hug, Hadina found herself crying too.

“I hate this, you know. I hate being weak and emotional.”

“Hadina, emotions don’t make you weak. Your love is what will save her.”

“I’m scared, Piper,” Hadina admitted solemnly. “The last time I was this scared,Mamiwas sick and we lost her. I can’t love someone so deeply and go through that loss again.”

Piper sighed and grabbed a few tissues for each of them. Hadina dabbed at her eyes and let out a soft chuckle as Piper blew her nose loudly, competing with an elephant for noise level.

“LosingMamiwas something none of us will ever get over. But it doesn’t mean you should shut yourself away from emotions so you don’t get hurt. You realize that you admitted to me earlier that you loved her?” Hadina’s eyes widened and Piper shook her head. “Yeah, I didn’t think you’d have realized what you said. But you did. You were so busy yelling that you just let it slip.”

Hadina blew out a breath and leaned her head back against the wooden frame. She let her admission settle for a second, contemplating her feelings for once.

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