Chapter 11

H is mouth drops open, his glasses-covered eyes going wide, but I can't take the word back. I don't want to. The veil's been lifted. It's time for secrets to come out. Even if my heart is thundering so hard, it feels like I might pass out.

"W–what?" he stutters. I inhale through my teeth, my gaze flicking between the man, Robert, and my mother. Her eyes are huge, her face red, and her hands are a tangled mess of nerves on the desk. He swallows roughly, his Adam's apple bobbing. "No, Skye, I mean, Ella. I'm not. I'm sorry."

I don't know what response I was expecting. I thought I'd been prepared for either, but I wasn't ready for the sudden burst of pain to spread through my body at his words.

"Robert is my husband, sweetheart. We've been married for six years." She takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "We met after everything happened."

Everything being my world, all of our worlds, falling apart.

Nodding, I look down as my fingers trace the pressure-point cuff again. God, I wish the guys were here with me right now. I'm trying to be brave, to be strong, but I don't think I can do this without them.

Gone.

They're gone.

I didn't recognize the voice who'd said the words, and while they weren't said unkindly, I was still taken from them despite how hard I begged. I was still brought here without my consent.

I want to ask so many questions. I want to beg to be taken back to that fucking parking lot. But I know the second I let my grief, my fear, for the guys, for Hunter, out, I won't be able to stop it. I won't hear anything Madeline is saying. I won't be able to stand the soft touch of my parents at my back.

I know that once my worst fears have been confirmed, I'm going to fall apart, and this time, I don't think I'll be able to stitch myself back together.

"Do you need anything to eat or drink?" Robert hedges, his accent thick and familiar.

I blink up at him, my head cocking to the side. " êtes vous Fran?ais? " I don't know why I ask if he's from France, it doesn't matter, but something in my gut is twisting.

The memories from my childhood came tumbling back in the second I saw Madeline, but they're still fuzzy. I remember my aunt speaking French fluently around the house. Miles spoke it as well, just not as perfectly as his wife. Madeline was even less proficient, but everyone tried. It was common in our household but I never knew why.

He smiles kindly and bobs his head. He goes to speak, but Madeline quickly grips his hand. "Not yet, Robbie."

His smile flickers for a brief moment before returning. He flicks his gaze back to me and cocks a brow. " Avez-vous faim? Soif? "

My heart warms at the language I've always found kinship with. I go to decline his offer but find myself nodding, my mouth dry. "I can't possibly eat." Not when I feel like puking. "But I'm incredibly thirsty."

"I'll be right back." Madeline immediately tenses when he begins to step away, and something in me softens toward the woman. Not by much, but a fraction. She's struggling. Maybe not in the same way I am, but she is struggling.

"I'll go," Evelyn offers, her hand disappearing. "You should be here for Maddie, Robert. She needs you."

I want to object. Want to tell her I need her. But when I see Madeline's shoulders slump, I tuck my lips between my teeth.

Evelyn disappears, and Daniel takes the free chair to my right. I meet his kind eyes, seeing the heavy bags beneath them. The familiar lines around his mouth, one that's always brought me smiles, even when I wanted to disappear. He is the closest thing I've ever had to a father besides Miles.

Maybe that's why I don't hesitate when he places his open hand between us, letting me decide what I need right now. I grip his palm, clinging to him for dear life, letting him tether me to this moment when all I want is to be far, far from this place.

He takes a deep, quiet breath, silently urging me to follow. I do. Then, I turn back to Madeline. Robert's at her back again, holding her up, supporting her.

"Twenty-three years ago," Madeline starts, making my throat burn. "I was a college drop-out on the run from an abusive ex." My fingers tighten around Daniel's but he doesn't move. "I was living in Florida at the time."

"Is that where you're from?" I blurt before forcibly shoving my lips back between my teeth.

She smiles sadly. "Yes. My family moved there from Boston before I was born."

Boston? My brows crash together, but I say nothing.

"Anyway," she continues. "I had nowhere to go. What little family I had left was estranged. All except for my brother." Brother. My breath wooshes out of me with a barely audible sound, and she nods. "Miles moved to California for college the same year I started at FSU. He couldn't get far enough away from our hometown. I'd been so mad at him for leaving me behind by myself. He said it's what people did when they grew up, but I couldn't fathom how a twin co—"

"Twin?" I interrupt, giving up on remaining silent. Twin? Miles and Madeline were twins?

Her lips curve up, and Robert kisses her hair. "Yes," she murmurs. "Miles was the better twin. Two minutes older, inches taller, and a hell of a lot smarter, but he was my best friend."

"I'm so sorry," I find myself whispering. He was my uncle for ten years but her brother for their entire lives. Her best friend. And I watched him die. I wonder if she knows that? I rub the ache in my chest with my free hand. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Madeline clicks her tongue. "I'm so sorry for yours."

And my heart sinks again. The room spins, and my world effectively ends.

They're gone.

They're gone.

They're gone.

"So it's true then?" I choke out, my tears finally escaping. "They're dead?"