“Please don’t twist my words. I can see you’re scared, but shutting me out isn’t helping.”
“You aren’t helping!”
“I’m literally sitting here trying to help you as we speak.”
His breath hitches.
“Don’t yell at me!”
I rub my eyes, trying to force the tension out of my jaw.
“I was not yelling.”
“You almost raised your voice,” he says, crossing his arms.
“For fuck’s sake, Antonio,” I snap. I regret it the second I see his lip wobble.
Goddamnfuck.
“It’s alright,” I say, my voice softer. “I didn’t mean to snap.”
“But you did.”
“I did. I’m sorry. But you need to tell me what’s going on.”
I look at him. His eyes burn.
“You need to let me in,” I say.
I can see how much he wants to—but he’s frightened.
“There’s only one thing in this world that could make me walk away,” I say. “That is you not wanting to be with me anymore. For real. Do you want to
be with me?”
He nods immediately while fidgeting with the blanket.
Relief floods me.
“Okay. That’s the most important thing. Now, please tell me what has caused this?”
“You’re taking her side and assuming she’s right, because that’s how it always goes!”
He doesn’t make any sense.
”Could you tell me whose side I’m taking?”
“Your sister’s!”
“What?” My stomach drops.
“A patient died and your sister blamed it on Sophia. In front of everyone!” He’s twisting the blanket in his hands, his anxiety vibrating. “Of course everyone believes her. That’s what people do. Rich people protect other rich people. They destroy the people who can’t fight back, just like in school.”
He starts crying. My heart breaks. I get it now.
“Antonio—”
“And now you’re going to defend her,” he sobs. “Because she’s your family. It’s like I don’t matter at all.”
