Phoenix appears beside me, his expression careful. "Are you okay?"
"No." The tears come without warning, spilling down my cheeks. "She knows I'm hiding something. She's furious."
"I'm sorry."
"She's going to find out eventually." I look up at him, my vision blurred. "When she finds out who you are, who your father is, she’s never going to forgive me."
He pulls me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me tight. "We'll deal with that when it comes."
"She hates your family, Phoenix. She hates everything your father represents."
"I know."
"And I'm lying to her. I'm keeping you a secret like I'm ashamed of you."
"Are you?" His voice is quiet. "Ashamed?"
I pull back to look at him. "No. I'm scared. There's a difference."
"Scared of what?"
"Of losing her and of having to choose." I wipe my eyes. "Of what happens when all of this comes out."
He cups my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away my tears. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Okay?"
I want to believe him. I want to believe that we can survive my mother's fury and the weight of our families' history and all the lies I'm telling to protect this fragile thing between us.
But the guilt is already eating at me.
I'm keeping secrets from my mother. Lying by omission, just like she said. And the longer I wait to tell her the truth, the worse it's going to be when she finally finds out.
35
PHOENIX
The morning light filters through the cabin windows, soft and pale after days of storm clouds. Jade is still asleep, curled on her side with her dark hair spilled across the pillow, her face peaceful in a way it hasn't been since she hung up with her mother yesterday.
I stand in the kitchen doorway and watch her breathe.
She cried for hours last night. Not dramatic sobbing, just a quiet, steady leak of tears that soaked through my shirt while I held her. Her mother's words had cut deep, and even though Jade didn't tell Sydney who I was, the confrontation had rattled her.
I wanted to fix everything for her. I want to show her mom that I’m not the villain that she thinks I am, but some battles aren’t mine to fight. This is between Jade and her mother, and all I can do is be here when she needs me.
The fridge is nearly empty. We've been here longer than I planned, and the blizzard wiped out any chance of restocking sooner. I take inventory of what's left: a few eggs, some cheese that's seen better days, half a loaf of bread, and a nearly empty carton of milk.
I pull on my jacket and boots quietly, trying not to wake her, but she stirs anyway. Her eyes flutter open.
"Where are you going?" Her voice is rough with exhaustion.
"Into town." I cross to the bed and sit on the edge, brushing hair from her face. "We're out of food. I'll be back in a few hours."
She pushes herself up on one elbow. "I'll come with you."
"No." I press a gentle hand to her shoulder, easing her back down. "You're exhausted. You barely slept last night. Stay here, rest. I'll bring back everything we need."
"Phoenix—"
"I mean it." I lean down and kiss her forehead. "A few hours. That's all. When I get back, I'll make you a real breakfast. Pancakes. Bacon. Whatever you want."
