I looked at the mess. No pills.Nothing.
But they had to be around here somewhere.
I dragged a hand through my hair, looking around the room. The mirror, the now empty drawers, the toilet, the ottoman—I paused, zeroing in on the soft white fabric.
“Seriously, Gemma—” My brother grabbed my arm, and I shoved him away.
I pulled the top off the ottoman and sighed.
Orange bottles littered the inside, piling one on top of another. I fisted as many as I could in my hands, and headed to the toilet.
“How did you know about these pills?” my brother continued. “Are you back? What’s going on?”
As the pills dissolve in the toilet water, a realization struck me. I was doing the same thing my mother had done to me. I was holding Grim hostage with the threat of death.
Fuck.
I flushed the toilet.
“Gemma, answer me.”
“What the fuck do you think that was, Grayson?” I screamed.
A moment later, a vicious, sticky sob clawed its way out of my throat. I fell to the ground, hands splayed on the marble.
Orange bottles littered the floor.
There were still bottles to empty. There wouldalwaysbe bottles to empty.
Another sob.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
STOP FUCKING CRYING.
I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t fucking stop. This was coming from somewhere too deep to see.
I was sick of being perfect so she’d be happy.
I was sick of it never being enough.
I was so fucking sick of it. Sick of hiding who I was so someone would love me.
My mother’s feet were visible on her bed through the bathroom door. Nothing I did would ever make this stop. Just like nothing Grim did could ever help me.
My sobs grew sharp. My breathing too fast. I clawed at the marble, trying to ground myself.
The room was blurring.
“We can help you,” Story said. “Whatever he has on you, we can help. You don’t have to stay there.”
I laughed through my sobbing. An insane, hiccuping sound.
Of course they thought this was about Grim.
A moment later, Grayson snapped. “What are you doing here?”
Black boots obscured my vision. A moment later, Grim bent down. With his knuckle he lifted my chin, eyes to his.
