Ethan.
He set this up.
When we reach the bedroom, I guide her into the bathroom. “There are still some of my toiletries in here, if you want to wash off your makeup.”
She seems distant. No—she looksdead.
It’s a strange thought, but it’s the only way I can describe the hopelessness I see on her face.
“What’s your name?” I press. She might be a few years older than me, but oddly, I feel like I need to take control.
“Isabela.”
“Isabela, can you wait here for a bit? I need to talk to my brother.”
“Brother?”
“Yeah. The bearded asshole.” I’m ready to tear the apartment apart, because I know exactly what happened.
She nods, and I leave the room without another word. As I walk down the hallway, anger like I’ve never felt before courses through me.
Back in the living room, I see that neither of them has moved.
I promise myself that no matter what, I won’t cry.
Now Ethan is the one staring at the floor, while Amos sits tense, watching me closely.
But he’s not the one I need to speak to yet.
“How could you?” I ask, stopping in front of my brother at a safe distance. I’m afraid that if I get too close, I’ll hit him. “How could you do something this pathetic?”
He finally lifts his eyes, and I don’t need words to confirm what I already know. The shame on his face says it all. “Lilly . . .”
“All this because we’re together, Ethan? Or are you telling yourself you did this to protect me?” I shout. “You must think I’m really stupid!”
“Lilly, you don’t understand.”
“No, Ethan. You’re the one who doesn’t understand. Did you really think I’d fall for this ridiculous act? I’m inexperienced, yes. The emotionally stunted girl who’s never been in a relationship. The naïve, overlooked girl no one ever bothered to notice. I’m all those things. But let me tell you what I’m not: stupid.” I’m losing control, which only makes me angrier. “He cares about me. I don’t know if it’s love, but I hope it is,” I say, pointing toward Amos without looking at him. “You might think it’s just sex—and sure, there’s plenty of that too—butmy Amoscares about me. I feel it in every bone in my body. He would never betray me like this. Unlike you, my boyfriend is an honorable man. He would never hurt me on purpose.”
“I didn’t mean—” he starts, but I don’t let him finish. If I don’t get it all out, I’ll explode.
“You really thought I’d believe Amos would cheat on me with another woman? He doesn’t even notice them when we’re together. They practically throw themselves at him and he doesn’t blink. You used the fear he has that I’ll be hurt by the organization against him, didn’t you? You convinced him that the only way to keep me safe was to push me away. When are you going to understand that I’m not a child anymore?”
“Lilly, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not talking to you.” I pause, trying to keep the tears at bay. “No, let me correct that. I don’twantto talk to you, but I’ll tell you exactly what you’re going to do now. You’re going to my room, and you’re going to take that poor girl home.”
“You don’t know—”
“Shut up. Just listen first. Never dare to interfere in my life again. The man you’re trying to protect me from is the first person who actually saw me. Who cared about who I am inside. Who didn’t treat me like some fragile doll.” His shocked expression doesn’t matter to me now. “I love him. And there’s only one way I’ll give up: if he doesn’t want me.” I never thought I’d have the courage to bare myself like this, but I can’t stop. I’m too hurt. “So stop acting like a fucking selfish bastard and let me live my life.”
“Don’t curse. That’s not you.”
“Oh, go to hell! You don’t know me anymore. Now, do what I said and take Isabela home.”
“Isabela?”
“For God’s sake! You didn’t even ask her name? What kind of man are you?”
