My knees gave out, and I dropped onto the step, hands clawing into my hair. My whole body shook as the pieces slammed together.
“She was just a kid,” I rasped, eyes burning. “We were just kids. And he?—”
Bile hit my throat, and I gagged. I dragged my hands over my face, choking out, “I lived in her nightmare. I fucking slept in it. And I never knew. I never?—”
Dirks placed a steady hand on my shoulder, but it barely anchored me.
“Oh my god. That’s what he did to her. That’s why she can’t come back. That’s why she never told me.”
The horizon blurred as tears burned my eyes, and for the first time since Arthur’s funeral, I felt it—the full horror of the man I once called family. I finally understood what Luna had been carrying all alone.
“I’m a horrible person.” My throat burned as I said it out loud. “I didn’t put it together. God, what the fuck was I doing all that time? I should’ve seen it. I should’ve— I should’ve done something to protect her then.”
“I think you did. That’s why she loves you—why she’s never let you go, no matter how bad things got. This hot and cold between you two... I think it’s because of this secret. It’s been festering between you both. And now, it’s out. I think that’s why she’s breaking, and why you’re breaking, too.”
“I need to go to her. Fuck the house. Fuck this deal. I was wrong to even try. She’s what matters.”
“No. That’s where you’re wrong. If you walk away from this, it doesn’t just haunt you, it follows her, too. You think she wants to lose everything you’ve both bled for because Arthur set fire to her past?”
Before I could answer, the crunch of gravel cut through my fury.
Perfect fucking timing.
A few minutes later, the lawyer appeared at the edge of the porch, briefcase in hand, eyes scanning the property like it was nothing but acreage and numbers.
“I’m here to?—”
“Fuck the house,” I snapped, swiping at my wet face so he wouldn’t see the evidence of my breakdown.
Dirks clamped a hand on my shoulder before I could bolt. He gestured to the two weathered rocking chairs lined up on the porch, his voice firmer than I’d ever heard it. “We’re ready to proceed.”
“Proceed? She’s not here—how the fuck are we supposed to?—”
“Sit down,” Dirks demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The lawyer set his briefcase down, snapping open the brass latches with calm precision. “We’ll keep this simple. The agricultural company has their paperwork lined up. Now, both beneficiaries have to sign. Jeremy, you’re already noted. Ms. Pierson... Well, her signature is missing. Without it, the entire agreement is voided.”
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh, throwing my hands out. “Exactly. She’s not here. She’s not coming here. So what the fuck are we doing?”
The lawyer adjusted his glasses. “Unless she’s designated a power of attorney.”
I froze, the words like static in my ears. “What?”
Dirks shifted beside me. “She did.”
I whipped my head toward him. “What do you mean she did?”
“I’m Luna’s temporary power of attorney. She signed it last night. I can act on her behalf when it comes to this estate.”
My breath stuttered out of me. “You’re— you’re what?”
“She trusted me to handle this so she wouldn’t have to step foot in this house again.”
I turned sharply to the lawyer, pulse hammering. “Would that... work?”
The lawyer flipped through a different folder, finding the form Dirks passed to him. He read it quickly, lips pressed tight. Then he nodded once. “Yes. This is valid. With your signature as co-beneficiary and Mr. Dirks’s authority, the sale can proceed. The ag company will have no grounds to object.”
The world tilted. For a second, I couldn’t breathe.
