Page 138 of Never You

“We are just a means to your end? All three of us?” Della’s voice is strained.

She takes a step forward, placing herself next to me, and I look down at her pretty face. Her cheeks are stained with tears and the disappointment is visible in her features. Comforting her the best I can, I throw my arm around her shoulder, so she knows I’m here. But really, I want to drag her away from this and protect her from the defeat she must be feeling. I know, becauseit’s an emotion I’ve been carrying with me for the last twenty-nine years.

The only way to please Kathleen Jensen is to jump through her hoops, but make no mistake—she is not capable of love.

When my mother sees Della’s horrified face, she changes her stance, quickly shifting back to the loving and caring mother she pretends to be when we’re in public. “Of course not, honey. I love you very much.”

I can’t call her out on her lie, but I know it is one.

Della shakes her head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Look, I’m sorry your brother and I don’t get along, but it’s not true. Of course, I love you. Come on, let's get inside, and we’ll discuss this.”

“No,” I say, firmly.

My mother’s brows rise to the sky, and normally I would cower. But having the support of my siblings gives me that last piece of strength I’ve been looking for.

I ignore her, dipping my chin to look at my sister. “You can come live with me if you want to. It’s your choice.”

I have no clue where, but I will make it work. I will find a place that’s big enough for me, her and Rae. I will help her pursue her dreams, even if I have to put my own on hold. Whatever it is she wants to do.

“If you leave with your traitorous brother, we willnotbe paying for Yale, young lady!” mother says, snapping back to her devilish self in a split second. “And you can forget about your trust fund!”

I chuckle, not believing my ears, and Della gasps next to me before she purses her lips. Her eyes grow shut, and she shakes her head while Finn and I look at each other. He swallows hard, his shoulders tense, with his fingers balled into fists. Finn doesn’t get angry easily, but if he does, he grows quiet. Finding the way to keep his calm and bury you alive with his words.

“Della,” he starts, ignoring our mother. “I will pay for your tuition if you want to leave.”

“What?” my mother sputters. “You can’t afford that.”

“But I can,” I pitch in, finding Finn’s gaze. He nods, silently agreeing to do this together. “You can come live with me, and Finn and I will make sure you can go to school.”

If I have to spend every last dime to give my sister the freedom I never had, I will.

“You can’t do this!” my mother yelps, trying to grab Della’s wrist.

But Finn roughly pushes her back with a glare on his face I’ve never seen before.

“Don’t touch her! If she wants to leave, she can leave.”

“This is kidnapping, Finn Fitzgerald Jensen! She’s not eighteen yet!”

“She will be in two months. But if you want to fight this, I will take you to court, mother,” I tell her. “I will take custody over Della, but I doubt you want the media coverage this close to elections.” I am furious, but my voice is calm and composed.

It shows the number of fucks I’m giving right now. I’m so sick of this. Sick of her.

I’m not going to let my mom control us any longer. I will pay for Della’s tuition, whatever school she wants to go to and live in some one-horse town, if that’s what it’s going to take.

“I will represent him, mom,” Finn adds.

There is a sadness in his voice, but it’s laced with determination.

“I’m going with Jensen.” Della firmly announces.

Mother glances back and forth between the three of us while we hold her gaze in union. For what feels like minutes, she keeps her rigid stance as if her brain has a hard time processing. Finally, she grinds her teeth, shaking her head.

Seemingly feeling trapped, she puts her focus on Della, pointing her finger at her with an evil smirk on her face. “You will regret this, young lady.”

“Doubtful,” I mumble.

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