Page 170 of Closer

Forever.

Chapter 50

Lilian

The nightmare… My memories play on a never-ending loop. And every day that goes by, I remember more of my childhood. Not only bad things.

Happy days. Of my mother and my father.

But it always ends the same. With his hands around my throat and Sebastian saving me.

I sit at the window ledge in my old room at Uncle Marc’s, staring out.

As soon as the doctors discharged me, Marc took me home—away from Sebastian. And maybe that’s good for now.

The door creaks open, and my uncle, followed by Landon and Levi, enters with a tray of pancakes.

“Here you go.” Uncle Marc places the tray on my lap. “Pancakes and strawberries. Your favorite.”

“Thanks.” My hands tremble as I pick up the fork, diving in. I’m still not completely back to my old form.

I take another bite of the pancakes, savoring the sweetness of the strawberries. Uncle Marc clears his throat. “So, Lil, how are you feeling today?”

I shrug. “Fine.” I don’t really want to talk about my health or my feelings. There’s something else I want to talk about, but no one wants to, so why even bother…

I tried to talk to Uncle Marc, but he has dodged my questions. He will realize soon enough that I won’t give up. I need to know the truth. Need to know if I somehow can make him forgive and forget.

Just like I forgave Sebastian.

I set down my fork, looking directly at my uncle. “Can we please just talk about this? About our families. About why you hate the Barrons so much.”

Marc regards Landon and Levi as if seeking their support. “Lil, I don’t think now is the best time—”

“Tell her the truth,” Levi interrupts.

Landon nods in agreement. “Or we will.”

With a deep sigh, Uncle Marc drags a chair over and sits, his foot tapping restlessly on the floor. “Alright.”

My heart rate quickens, a mixture of anticipation and dread coursing through my veins. Part of me wants to know everything, to finally understand what has haunted our family for so long. But another part of me is terrified of what I might learn.

“Where do I start?” His leg bounces up and down.

I cross my arms. “How about why you broke us up in college.”

“How do you—Never mind. John Barron and I… We made an agreement. We decided it was best if you and Sebastian ended your relationship.”

“And why?”

“We thought it’s the best given our shared history.”

“Why?” My voice breaks. “You had no right to meddle.”

“Please try to understand. We wanted to save you both from more pain down the road.”

“And by doing that, you put us through more than necessary,” I say. “Do you have any idea how much it hurt when Sebastian and I broke up? When I thought he’d simply used me? And left me alone, like my pare—”

Marc bows his head.

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