Page 12 of Masked Hearts

He looks at me with an apathetic expression, not even remotely surprised by my reaction.

“God, I can’t believe you knew. How long did you know?”

He sighs, eyes dropping to his hands.

“How long, Kylian?”

“A while.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“I knew you’d run. We all did. You already want nothing to do with this, it would’ve been your final straw before leaving,” he says, trying to justify his fucked up logic.

“Itismy final straw. I’m not doing it. You and Dad can have me killed before I marry that man.” I throw my hands up as I walk over to my bed and sit down. “I’m not doing it, Kylian. This is what they did to Mom. I’m not doing it.”

Within seconds, he’s crossing the room. His hand grabs onto either side of my face and pulls it to look up at him.

His hazel eyes bore into mine. It was once my favourite feature of his because it reminded me of my mom’s. He’s the only one who inherited her eyes, but now all I can see is darkness behind them. The man in front of me is the shell of my younger brother, filled with the poison of my father. He looks so empty. There are times when I see glimpses of his old self, but I’ve learnt very quickly his loyalties lie with my father and not with us.

He’s just about a year older than Noelle, but he looks older than Pierre just by how the stress is starting to take its toll on him.

“You have to do this, Theá. It’s your duty.”

I slap his hand away from my face. “Fuck duty. I never wanted to be a part of this, and neither did Mom. I won’t do it.”

“You’re not her, Theá. This man will be the downfall of our family.”

“The only downfall of our family was when you and Dad started choosing the cartel over family.” I glare at him. “You may be okay with sacrificing your siblings to be underboss, but I’d rather die making my own decisions than live under his control.”

“You’ll never be free from this, Theá. You were born into it, there’s no way out.” He shrugs. “It’s easier if you don’t fight it—you’re going to marry him whether you like it or not.”

Footsteps grow louder, and soon Pierre enters my room.

“Think about it,” Kylian says, and with one final look between Pierre and I, he leaves.

We let the room fill with silence until we know he’s gone. Pierre closes the door before turning to me. “What was that?”

“He came to tell me how it’smy dutyto the family to marry this guy.” I sink further into my bed.

Pierre stays quiet. Too quiet.

“Did you know?”

Silence again. When I meet his eyes, I can see it immediately. The guilt. It’s as clear as blood in snow.

I shake my head in disbelief. “This is what h-happened t-to he-her,” I choke as my tears flood out.

Pierre rushes over to me and wraps me in his arms.

“Shhh, it’s not the same.”

“Yes. Yes, it is. She had to marry him, and th-then when sh-she refused they…” I can’t even bring myself to say the word.

“Theá…it’s okay. You’re not her,” Pierre tries to reassure me. But his words hold no weight against my raging thoughts.

If I’m not her, then why do I see her whenever I look in the mirror? Why do I hear her whenever I speak? Why is she everywhere? It feels as if I’m doomed to the same stupid fate as her, as if all my father’s decisions have just brought us full circle to the same story thirteen years later.

“Theá, I need you to listen to me.” Pierre pulls my body away from his, attempting to wipe away the tears that are still falling. My body shakes as I try to comprehend all of this. “This is your chance. This is our chance.” I try to blink back my tears to clear the haze of colours in front of me. “I have a plan, but I need you to play along with this. Can you do that for us?”

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