Page 93 of Vengeful Union

I hadn’t clicked on it, hadn't found it interesting enough, but...

“How do you know that?” Bree asks.

There’s something stuck in my throat, something I can’t seem to swallow down no matter how hard I try.

“I just do."

“You’re being naive, Rory. You of all people should know?—”

“Stop it, Bree.” I know my voice is too sharp, but I can’t seem to help it.

I can believe that my father is a bad man. I can know that he’s a monster. But he loved my mother. Iknowhe did. I have to believe at least that. Or else…

But Bree doesn’t back down.

“Do you know what he said to me, Rory? He said he’d kill me before I became a dog traitor. And that was just for marrying a Burke…” she finally trails off and I’m grateful, because my mind is racing, a headache starting at my temples.

“I did find some things,” I comment. “But nothing about Ma.”

I can’t stop thinking about it. What if Ma didn’t leave? What if all this time, Bree and I thought she abandoned us, and it was him all along? God, how can I even think this?

“He loved her.” This is all I can think about because at this point, I feel like my life depends on it.

Bree’s quiet for only a moment before she speaks, her voice hoarse and a little sad.

“He loved me, too, Rory. Look at us now.”

I can’t speak after that. Finally, Bree sighs.

“Send us what you have, and we’ll look into it.”

“We need more proof.”

“Father isn't in the business of leaving a paper trail.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t find anything that will help.”

“Don’t apologize, Rory. Just... take care of Lara, all right? We’ll work everything else out.”

My heart aches, and I miss my sister for the first time in a while. I usually don’t let myself think about her, about how close we used to be.

I miss my family. I miss how all four of us used to be together before Ma left, before she...

Tears spring to the backs of my eyes, and I fight them back, clearing my throat.

“I love you, Bree.”

“I love you too, bubs,” she says quickly, and it doesn’t help the hot feeling at the back of my head.

“I’ll see you soon.”

She hangs up the phone, and I send the screenshots to her number, but I know it won’t go anywhere.

I throw my head back and hit the back of the headboard, grunting in pain.

Lara, at this point, has scrambled up into a sitting position, seeing my mood shift. “Are you okay?”

I hate myself because she looks so small and vulnerable. I’m supposed to be protecting her, comforting her, not the other way around.

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