Page 93 of The Secret Of Us

“If you want to work, that’s fine, I’ll help you find a job,” he continues. “If you want to travel for a bit, I can help you with that, too. Whatever you want to do, we’ll figure it out.”

“I should work so I can help you pay for rent and bills,” I hiccup, swiping at my cheeks.

“I’m never taking a penny from you,” he says, affronted like I’ve said something completely ridiculous. “Neither is Violet. We don’t expect that from you. And I hate that you heard us talking about money, but that’s nothing for you to worry about. We’ve got savings, we both work, we’re comfortable.”

“But I should help. I’m going to be an adult.”

“Being an adult is terrible!” he says, and it gets a laugh out of me. “The only way you can help me is by being happy. Let me take care of the rest, okay?”

All I can do is nod, words failing me. I don’t know why I expected any other reaction from Isaac. I got so in my own head about what he would think of me that I forgot who he really is. He’s never been anything but supportive, never done anything to make me think he’d ever be disappointed with me.

I consider his words.What do I want to do?The answer comes straight away.

“I think I want to travel for a bit,” I tell him. Isaac doesn’t say anything, just waits for me to continue. “I can work for a bit over summer and save up.”

Isaac shakes his head.

“You don’t have to. Mum and Dad set up a trust for you. It was yours as soon as you turned eighteen.”

“What?”

A trust?

“I had one, too,” he continues. “I sorted yours out as soon as you left.”

He says it like it’s the most obvious thing. But if he did it when I left, then that means he had to do something unbelievably brave.

“You spoke to them?”

“I knew I had to. But you don’t if you don’t want to. It’s all ready for you.”

I haven’t spoken to my parents since that last text from my mum. I was the only one putting in any kind of effort to stay in contact with them, and I got nothing but hurt from it. I assumed it would be the same for Isaac, especially after what they did to him. Knowing that he contacted them and spoke to them just so he could secure something for my future has me crying again.

“Izzy, I never want you to worry. Whether it’s about money, or the future, or anything. Leave all of that to me. The only thing I want from you is to know that you’re enjoying your life.”

I hug him then, because there are no words in the entire world that could express how grateful I am for him. He’s always been my dependable older brother, and I’ve worried so much about him that I didn’t realise he was doing the same for me, too.

He lets go of me when we hear Violet enter the room. When I look at her, it’s obvious she’s been listening in. I hold my arms out for her, and she drops next to me on the sofa, pulling me into a tight hug.

Even if I don’t know what I’m doing with my life, I know I’ve got the two next to me for the rest of it.

31

NOAH

I should have goneto Korea.

32

IZZY

After Violetand I stopped crying—at Isaac's request—the three of us spent the evening brainstorming ideas for where I could travel. Norway is at the top of my list so that I can see the northern lights, but I also want to visit some places in Europe and Asia. Violet said we could all go to Pakistan together, and she would ask her mum about it. Even though I haven’t made any solid plans, I’m looking forward to seeing the world.

As soon as we say goodnight and I go to my room, the first thing I do is text Noah. It’s later than we usually talk, but there are no calls or texts from him. I push down the uneasy feeling in my stomach and hope he’s gone out to dinner with the rest of the team and is having too much fun to text me.

Izzy

Lots of stuff to tell you!

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