TWENTY THREE

LEO

‘Aren’t they a picture together?’ Grace asked, handing me a glass of red wine while swooning over Estella and Graham. Graham swept her in a circle, oblivious to the conversation we’d just had. Everyone unaware of my heart being ripped out and trampled beneath their feet.

‘Sure are,’ I murmured, unable to take my eyes off of the one light in my miserable life.

Estella would be with me despite all the obstacles, if I could go with her into her new life. But I couldn’t.

I’d have to sit back and watch her live without me. Watch her love, and grow and prosper without me by her side. Sit in my room and rot.

My chest cracked into a thousand pieces, threatening to force me to fall apart in front of everyone.

‘I’m so glad you’ll be able to share this special moment with your sister.’ Grace beamed at the couple, pure delight lighting up her face.

‘What special moment? Your anniversary?’ Confusion gripped me.

‘Look, love.’

I followed Grace’s stare back to Estella, the world slowing as Graham sank to one knee gripping Estella’s hand in his.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the music, but Graham’s earnest face and moving lips told me everything I needed to know. Estella’s eyes fixed on him, growing more watery by the second.

Every torturous second was another knife to the gut. Why didn’t she shush him? Why didn’t she stop him from continuing?

The crowd surrounding them began to take note, women’s hands coming up to their mouths and men wrapping their arms around their girls’ shoulders. The music softened as quiet filled the room.

Graham produced a green, velvet ring box, opening it and smiling up at my girl.

The universe stilled as I waited for her to say no. To turn him down and run to me.

For the briefest moment, Estella’s eyes flicked my way, a world of pain in the passing glance.

Her face broke into a sniffling grin, and Graham slipped the ring over her finger. Claiming her as his for all to see.

My thighs trembled, my step-mom looking up at me. I tried to tear my arm from hers, to go to Estella and throw myself at her feet, but Grace’s fingers dug into my arm.

‘Don’t do it,’ she whispered. ‘Don’t you go and ruin her moment.’

My brows knitted as I looked at her.

‘I see the way you idolise her, love. I understand that she’s the only other woman in your life. But your isolation doesn’t give you claim over her. Let her be happy.’

Graham stood, taking Estella into his arms and kissing her tenderly. The room erupted with applause and I missed my moment to break through to her.

Graham's joy ripped a hole through my middle, Grace’s tight grip on my arm the only thing keeping me rooted to the spot.

‘But, I love her.’ My heart broke as I stuttered the words.

‘Loving her isn’t keeping her locked in your cage, Leo. Loving her is letting her have everything she’s ever desired. You can’t be selfish.’

‘I can offer her everything he can,’ I said through gritted teeth.

‘But only if she traps herself in your box.’ My step-mother patted my hand, before letting me go, heading toward my father, who pulled her into a tight embrace.

I teetered on the edge of action, the urge to go and break them apart tearing at me.

She didn’t deserve to be hurt and humiliated. Grace was right. Why would Estella want me? Grace may not have realised that the desire had never been an obsession solely on my part, but she knew that Estella deserved more than me .

Because despite all my money, and despite working to get myself to peak physical condition, I remained a nothing.

Just the creep locked in his dad’s attic.