Page 85 of Checks & Bonds

"Then, where is she?" She placed her hands on her hips, looking up at me with that fierce determination only she could muster.

"She left," I muttered. "I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?" Her eyes widened with disbelief. "Henry, she's probably upset, sad, hurt, maybe even scared. I'm assuming Dan is the one?—"

My eyes cut to hers sharply.

"Did you say anything to her?"

I glared at Minka; the tension thickening the air between us.

"Of course, I didn't say anything," I snapped. "I'm not an idiot."

"Really?" Minka's voice rose, her calm demeanor cracking. "Because letting her leave without figuring out where she went sounds pretty idiotic to me."

"You think I wanted this?" My fists clenched at my sides. "She saw those pictures and?—"

"And you blamed her!" She cut me off, stepping closer, her eyes blazing. "Instead of standing by her, you threw accusations. I know you. I'm your sister, remember? Do you have any idea how that feels?"

"You don't know what happened," I shot back, the heat rising in my chest.

"Enlighten me then," she challenged, crossing her arms. "Tell me why you didn't chase after her."

"Because she didn't want me to!" My voice echoed off the kitchen walls. "She walked away, Minka. She made her choice."

"Maybe because she thought you wouldn't believe her," Minka retorted, her tone sharp. "Did you even give her a chance to explain?"

I opened my mouth to respond but found myself hesitating. Had I really given Freya a chance? Or had I been too consumed by my own anger and pride?

"Exactly," she said, reading the silence in my expression. "You were so quick to jump to conclusions."

My jaw tightened. "You don't understand what it's like."

"Don't I?" Her eyes bore into mine. "I know what it's like to feel cornered and misunderstood. And I know what it's like to need someone who will stand by you no matter what. Hell, I know what it feels like when the person you love takes pictures,and when your own family releases them because they want what you were given. If anyone gets it, it's me."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I turned away from her, trying to steady my breathing.

"You need to find her," Minka continued, softer now but no less insistent. "Talk to her. Listen to her."

"And say what?" I muttered, staring at the floor.

"Say you're sorry," she said simply. "Admit that you were wrong."

The thought of apologizing made my stomach churn. But deep down, I knew she was right.

"If you let this fester," Minka warned, "it will destroy everything."

I nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in.

"And Henry," she added, placing a hand on my arm, "do it for the right reasons. Not just because of the inheritance or because it’s what Papa would have wanted.”

I met her gaze and saw the sincerity there.

"The right reasons?" I asked, incredulity edging my voice. "I already told her I was still going to marry her. What more can I do? If she needs time to figure out what she wants?—"

"And what doyouwant?" Minka's arms crossed over her chest, her eyes narrowing in challenge.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Minka's glare silenced me before any words could escape.

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