I don’t want them coming up here and swarming Lily, making her even more overwhelmed than she already was at the festival. In all the time that Lily and I have been hanging out, I’ve struggled to understand why she goes along with everything her brothers and father tell her to do. But seeing them in action kind of explains it. Sure, they have good intentions of protecting Lily. But it seems like they can’t shake their image of little Lily, a toddler who cried when Peter cut the hair off her Barbies and snuggled into her mother’s lap.
She’s not that little girl anymore. She’s been through heartbreak and pain and come through the other side.
The problem is she doesn’t believe that about herself. She’s punishing herself for the mistakes she made instead of moving on with her future.
So if her brothers aren’t doing what’s best for her, and she’s not ready to stand up for herself, maybe I’m the one who needs to do it.
CHAPTER 27
Ryder
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF — PRELUDE IN G MINOR, OP. 23 NO. 5
Imeet Lily’s brothers in the middle of the stairs between the second and third floors. I see Luna and Isabelle a few steps behind them, and Agatha and Mr. Stone are probably a flight below.
“Where’s Lily?” Adam growls.
“She’s resting in bed,” I say. “She had a panic attack, and now has a headache and is exhausted.”
Adam pushes my shoulder, but I hold my ground. “She needs rest,” I say firmly.
Adam’s eyes narrow at me. “Who do you think you are to tell me if I can see my sister?”
He might think he’s intimidating me, but I’m not afraid of him.
Well, nottooafraid.
“I’m the person who recognized that she was panicking and removed her from the situation. A situation, I’ll add, that you exacerbated by creating such a scene at the festival.”
“You little?—”
“Adam, calm down,” Isabelle says from behindhim. She’s caught up to us now and rests a hand on his shoulder. “Ryder took care of Lily when you couldn’t.”
Adam grunts, but his body relaxes a little.
“Look, I had panic attacks for a while myself,” I say. “So I recognized the signs and knew how to help her. And now she needs rest, not more excitement.”
Adam’s expression softens, and Henry takes over for him. “Thank you for that. I’m ashamed that I didn’t think about her or what she needed. I’m glad you were here.” He shakes his head. “We were just listening to what Mr. Calhoun suggested without thinking about Lily and her needs.”
Adam grunts in agreement. That’s probably the best I’ll get out of him.
Agatha and Mr. Stone have now reached us, a little more breathless than the rest of the group. I explain the situation to them, and Agatha pushes past her nephews to wrap me in a hug. “We’re all so fortunate that you were there,” she says.
At leastsomeoneis giving me a warm greeting.
“So, what now?” asks Isabelle. “Lily has been dying to get out of this tower, but if she can’t be in public places, where does that leave her?”
Everyone is quiet for a moment.
“Lily says she wants to try therapy,” I say. “That’s what helped me get through my personal issues, and it’s how I helped her manage this panic attack.”
Everyone nods in agreement.
“I’ll reach out to my contacts and see if we can find someone for her,” her father says.
“And perhaps we can try smaller outings,” Agatha finally says. “Like taking her to Cookies & Kisses. Or the bookstore.”
“I bet Madeleine would open the shop after hours for her,” Luna offers. “That way Lily wouldn’t have to worry about anyone watching her.”
