Garrett: Steve saw you at the fair. Who the fuck were you with?
Garrett: You fucking whore.
A photo loaded. Me and Sebastian walking hand in hand, Lavender under my arm.
Garrett: I'll kill that motherfucker. Mark my words Candace.
Garrett: And it will be your fault.
My hands shook.
Rosie's gaze followed mine, her grip tightening.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. "I never thought he'd—"
"Don't worry about it, sweetie," she interrupted. "Sebastian's a grown man. He can handle his own."
I looked up at her, tears still streaming down my face. "I can't let Sebastian get involved in this."
Rosie's expression softened.
"He's finally doing better," I explained. "He's healing. And if Garrett actually does something—"
"Then that's Garrett's choice. Not yours."
"You don't understand. Damien already went after him once. Beat him bloody. And Garrett's been threatening to press charges, to come back, to—" I pulled my hand back, clutching the phone against my chest. "If Sebastian gets involved, if he gets hurt because of me—"
Rosie's voice was firm now. "Sebastian can make his own choices, Candace."
"But he doesn't understand."
"You haven't let him try." Her voice had softened, the firmness yielding.
I wiped a tear from my eye as footsteps came down the stairs.
"Wh—what's going on?"
I looked up at him, my tears still streaming. "I need to tell you something."
Sebastian's eyes darted between me and his mother, his wet hair dripping onto the collar of his t-shirt.
"Mom?" His voice was tight. "What did you do?"
"Nothing." Rosie rose from the couch, smoothing her hands over her pants. "We were just talking." She crossed to him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I'm going to make some tea."
"Mom—"
"Chamomile or peppermint?" she asked, already halfway to the kitchen.
Sebastian watched her go, then turned back to me, concern etched in the lines of his face.
"Candace." He limped toward the couch, lowering himself beside me with a wince. "What's wrong? What happened?"
I looked down at my phone. At the screen still lit up with Garrett's threats.
"It's Garrett."
Sebastian went still. "What about him?"
