Page 56 of Shattering

His hands trembled as he reached up, scrubbing at his face.

"I—I wanted to tell you for so long. But I was scared. Scared of what you'd say. Scared of what I'd lose. And then Tomos came into my life, and God, I loved him. He is my own blood."

His voice cracked, his head dropping for a moment before he forced himself to look up at Gray.

"And I was terrified you would hate me."

His chest rose and fell unsteadily, his breath shuddering.

Then, his gaze shifted to Cadi, his expression crumpling slightly.

"And I am so sorry, Cadi."

His voice was hoarse now, thick with emotion.

"I never meant for you to get hurt in all of this. I never meant for you to be caught in the crossfire."

His eyes were wet now, his breath unsteady, and for the first time, Callum looked as lost as Gray did.

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the hisses and pops from the radiator.

Gray had not moved.

Had not spoken.

His expression was a mask, but Cadi could see the storm inside him, see it in the way his fists had not loosened, in the rigid line of his shoulders.

But still, he said nothing.

Chapter 28

The silence stretched thick between them, pressing against the walls, against their lungs.

Gray finally leaned forward, his head in his hands, his broad shoulders hunched over like the weight of the revelations had finally crushed him.

Callum shifted, his body tense, unsure now that all the cards were on the table. His hands rested on his knees, his fingers flexing slightly, like he wanted to say something—but there was nothing left to say.

Cadi's own mind was spinning. How could she even begin to understand what Gray was feeling? There were a lot of unresolved issues between them, but to suddenly discover that you were the product of violence and betrayal, that the very people who should have protected you had instead tormented and abused you—that was something else entirely.

Callum cleared his throat, about to speak.

Cadi shook her head. "I think we need some space," she said softly. "Would you please bring Tomos by?"

Callum hesitated, then nodded.

He turned to Gray, his lips parting as if to say something—but Cadi shook her head again. No.

Whatever words Callum wanted to give; Gray wasn't ready to hear them. Callum gave a short nod and left, closing the front door behind him.

Cadi pushed herself up from the couch.

But before she could take a step, Gray stood suddenly, blocking her way.

She instinctively moved to go around him, but he moved with her, his massive frame eclipsing hers. Her brain was a maze of conflicting emotions. She was guilty of not telling Gray about hishalf brother. But now that she knew the whole story, how could Gray forgive her?

Cadi stopped, her heartbeat thudding heavily in her chest. He was 6'4", built of nothing but muscle, easily outweighing her by at least eighty pounds. But she wasn't afraid of him.

Because right now, Gray Callahan looked nothing like the man who had betrayed her.

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