Mine and Jane’s.
My head drops to Abby’s shoulder, and I cling to my twin as emotion swells and swells inside me until it explodes. Rage blasts from my body and rips from my mouth as I’m twisted and torn into multiple fragments. I fling my glass across the room, roaring as it shatters against the wall. I jump up, narrowly avoiding pushing into Abby and Athena as I run across the room and out into the hallway, not knowing where I’m going, only that I need to hit something.
I skid to a halt in the hallway and ram my fist into the wall, over and over, as venom spews from my pores and a cloud of self-loathing shrouds me in darkness.
“Drew, please,” Abby cries. “You’re bleeding. Please stop.”
“We’ve got you,” Kai says, grabbing my shoulder.
“This won’t help.” Charlie hauls me back as I buck and shout, fighting against their hold. Rage has a vise grip on my body, and it won’t let go. My buddies struggle to contain me as I give in to my emotions and let them control me.
“Look at him,” Athena says, appearing in front of me. She thrusts a cell in my face. “Look at your son. Look how beautiful and precious he is.”
I stare at his picture, and I’m choked with emotion. “He has her hair,” I croak.
“And your eyes,” Athena adds.
“He’s a perfect mix of both of you,” Abby says, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“You should have told me last week.” I don’t even have the energy to glare at Athena now the rush of anger has faded.
“I wanted to, but I needed to be sure. I didn’t know if my gut was right or if my heightened emotions were leading me astray even if it was Arlo’s eyes that planted the idea in my head in the first case.” She rubs at her chest as she hands her cell to Abby. “I didn’t know what had happened to your baby, Drew, and I didn’t want to give you false hope. I understand if you can’t forgive me.”
I can’t even think about that now.
“Those fucking cunts stole your baby,” Anderson says through clenched teeth.
“Fuck what the fucking Luminaries want,” Charlie spits out. “I say we leave for Lowell now, and we grab those pieces of shit and force the truth from their lips.”
“You can’t,” Athena says. “Not yet.”
“You’ve got to think of Arlo,” Abby says. “Drew.” She turns around and presses her petite frame against me. “I know this is a huge shock, and I know your natural instinct is to swing into action and make those assholes pay, but you’ve got a son, and we need to consider his feelings.”
“Arlo has to be at the center of what we decide,” Demi says, moving over to hug Athena.
“D, you’re a father. I just can’t.” Abby’s face is swimming in emotion.
“He doesn’t know me. I’ve lost fifteen years of his life. He loves that monster he calls a father.”
“He won’t when he discovers the truth,” Athena says, her voice cracking at the end. I know this must be hard for her too, but I only have enough strength to keep myself standing.
“None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t sent her away.” My hands clench at my sides. “Why the fuck didn’t she tell me she was pregnant!?” I yell.
“She didn’t know,” Athena says. “She only found out after she got to Lowell. She tried to contact you, but your cell was dead. She sent emails but those bounced back too.”
“Why didn’t she contact me when she couldn’t reach Drew?” Abby asks.
“I told her father to make sure she had no way of contacting anyone. I thought I was protecting her.” I shove my bloody fist into the fist-shaped hole in my wall until Athena pulls it away. “I’m a fucking asshole!”
“Go hit your punching bag if you need to, but please stop hurting yourself. I can’t bear it.”
“And you’re not an asshole. None of this is your fault,” Abby says.
“It is.” I flex my injured hand, welcoming the stinging pain. “It’s all my fault. You realize what this means?” My gaze drags around my friends and family. “This is the reason why Jane died. Why Vera was sold into slavery. Why Silas was sold to that sick bitch. Why Jane’s parents are MIA, rotting in some shallow grave most likely.” I jab my finger in Athena’s direction. “Your prick of a father did it all to steal our baby. If I hadn’t knocked her up, if I hadn’t sent her away, none of this would’ve happened. They’d all be alive.”
* * *
Athena
