Page 33 of F*ckboys

At that moment, I reach a literal and figurative crossroads. The traffic light ahead turns red, and I bring the car to a stop. In the stillness, I feel the pull between continuing my vendetta against Aksel and letting go of the past entirely. This journey home has become a metaphor for the path I need to navigate—between the shadows of the past and the promise of a future where forgiveness and understanding might reshape the echoes of youth.

"Forgive or forget," I whisper to myself, watching the light turn green. "Which path do I choose?"

As I press down on the gas pedal, my mind steps back in time, revisiting moments with Aksel that brought both joy and pain. The laughter we shared, the stolen glances, and then the bittertaste of betrayal when rumors of his involvement with other girls circulated.

"Enough," I say firmly, shaking my head to clear the memories away. "I need to focus on the present. He's just a distraction and he's not worth it."

The city streets stretch out before me, a labyrinth of choices and consequences. And as I drive towards my condo, I know one thing for certain—I cannot avoid making this decision any longer.

"Get even or let go," I repeat, feeling a newfound determination rising within me. "But no matter what, I won't let Aksel break me again."

The lights of my condo building cast a warm, golden glow on the pavement as I pull into my reserved parking spot. The engine's hum dies down as I switch off the ignition, and for a moment, I sit in the silence, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Tonight's emotional whirlwind has left me feeling like a tornado ripped through my chest, scattering debris in its wake. I hate that it's so easy for my brother to rile me like this, and that he takes the opportunity to do so regularly.

"Home," I sigh, gripping the steering wheel tighter and glancing up at my condo, temporarily paralyzed in the driver's seat. "But what the hell does that even mean anymore?"

I force myself out of the car, every fiber of my being longing to collapse onto the ground and let the pain swallow me whole. But no, I've come too far for that. I won't allow myself to break now.

I trudge toward the entrance, my heels clicking against the concrete.

"Hey, Fallon!"

My head snaps up, and I wince at the ache that shoots through my temples. It's my neighbor, Sadie. She's leaning over therailing of her balcony, concern etched across her face as she peers down at me.

"Are you okay? You look... well, you don't look great."

"Thanks," I reply, attempting a smile. "Just one of those nights, you know?"

"Ugh, I feel you. Family stuff?"

"Something like that." I hesitate before continuing. "Family, and old ghosts. The kind that never seem to stay buried."

"Damn, girl," she shakes her head. "Sounds rough. Maybe you need some kind of exorcism."

"Tell me about it." I sigh and look up at her. "But you know what? It's time to face them. I've decided I won't let my past define me anymore."

"Good for you," she says, her eyes filled with admiration. "You're stronger than you think, Fallon. Remember that." I don't know her well, having only spent time with her at a few condo association events, but her words echo Mia's earlier notes of encouragement, and I find them validating, soothing. Just what I need right now.

"Thanks, Sadie. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, girl. Now go kick some ass."

With a renewed sense of determination, I stride toward my condo, the ghosts of my past nipping at my heels. But this time, I won't run from them. No, not anymore. I will face them head-on, and I will emerge victorious.

"Confront or let go," I whisper as my key slides into the lock. "I've come too far to turn back now."

The door creaks open, revealing the familiar sanctuary of my condo. But tonight, it feels different—no longer a refuge from the storm but instead a battleground for my own thoughts that I can't seem to escape.

Chapter 16

Aksel

The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the sprawling grandeur of my family's estate. A mansion steeped in history and luxury, it conceals hidden rooms and secret passageways known only to a select few. As I walk the meticulously manicured grounds, the whispers of generations echo around me—hushed rumors of power, underground sex clubs, and polygamy. The air is thick with the scent of hidden mafia affiliations as I step inside the fortress that guards our family's secrets.

"Ah, Aksel, there you are," my grandmother announces as I enter the room. Her presence is formidable, her posture regal and foreboding. Her tailored suit drapes over her strong, elegant form like armor. The thought crosses my mind that I've neverseen her in casual clothes. My siblings and I joke that she probably sleeps in a suit, and I'd probably fall over if I ever saw her in pajamas. Her sharp eyes observe me, missing nothing. "You're late for dinner, dear."

"Apologies, Grandmother," I reply, taking my regular seat at the grand dining table. The weight of her gaze is heavy, but beneath the steel lies a hint of warmth that belies the cool, unyielding façade she presents to the world. She has been both guardian and matriarch since my parents' deaths, and the bond between us runs deep. As we gather around the dining table with my siblings, I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the family that surrounds me. Despite our dark past and the weight of our secrets, there is love here—a fierce, unbreakable bond that holds us together in the face of adversity.

"Better late than never," Raine chimes in, offering a smile. My elder sister, her wisdom and care have guided me throughout my life. Her warm, resonant voice instantly puts me at ease. "What held you up?"

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