Chapter188 – I like him
Clarissa was cleaning up the breakfast table when she felt arms wrap around her from behind.
Atticus's hand gently gripped her slender arm. “Let me do it,” he murmured.
As he spoke, his other hand slid around her waist, slipping slowly beneath her shirt.
Clarissa immediately pressed his hand to stop him. “Cut it out…”
Atticus paused, resting his chin against her shoulder. His breath was warm on her collarbone, their faces almost touching.
Then came his low, seductive voice. “Clarissa, once I start work, I’ll be alone again. Before I leave… can you give me a little something to remember you by?”
His fingers lightly traced her skin, making her shiver.
Clarissa’s voice was soft. “When are you leaving?”
“Next week.”
“Phoenix told you?” she asked, turning her head toward him—and in that moment, he captured her lips.
She froze, caught off guard, but didn’t push him away.
A flicker of satisfaction danced in Atticus’s eyes as he deepened the kiss, slow and full of heat. His lips were gentle, almost reverent, but the intensity built—until, with a swift movement, he lifted her and laid her down on the table.
“Ah—!” Clarissa gasped, startled.
Click.
The door creaked open, and a voice—fierce and furious—cut through the room like a blade.
“What the fuck are you doing?!”
Both of them froze. Clarissa turned her head slowly to see Phoenix standing in the doorway, eyes blazing with fury. Her stare locked onto Atticus like she was ready to tear him apart.
“She’s your sis, you sick bastard!”
Phoenix charged in before Clarissa could speak. “I’m going to fucking kill you!”
“Phoenix, wait—!”
Too late. Phoenix was already on the attack, fists flying. Atticus's eyes narrowed, and he moved Clarissa aside quickly before throwing up a defense.
The room erupted into chaos, the sound of fists hitting flesh and furniture crashing echoing through the house. Clarissa stood by helplessly, panic rising in her chest.
“Stop! Phoenix! Atticus! This is a misunderstanding!”
But her voice was drowned in the fight. Phoenix wasn’t holding back. Atticus tried not to fight back too hard, but even he was struggling to keep up.
Clarissa realized she couldn’t break them up alone. She turned and bolted downstairs.
In the car outside, Delilah was still nibbling on chocolates. She turned toward the front seat.
“Maximilian, want one?”
Maximilian, calm and composed as always, smiled. “No thanks. You go ahead.”
Delilah shrugged and popped another into her mouth.
Just then, Clarissa burst through the front door, breathless. “Maximilian! Upstairs—now! They’re fighting!”
Maximilian jumped out of the car without hesitation and followed her up.
Delilah blinked. “Didn’t Phoenix just go up to get my flute? What’s with all the drama?”
Frowning, she slid out of the car and followed with quiet, curious steps.
Upstairs, the scene was pure chaos.
Atticus and Phoenix were locked in combat. Maximilian arrived just in time to see a chair shatter behind Atticus.
It had been five years since he’d seen Phoenix this feral.
He rushed forward to intervene. “Phoenix, stop! Calm down!”
But she wasn’t listening.
Crack.
Maximilian staggered back, holding his jaw. “Goddammit…”
“Get out of my way!” Phoenix roared. “I’m going to rip him apart!”
Clarissa ran up behind them. “Phoenix, stop!!”
But no one heard her—until she stepped between them and spread her arms. “Phoenix, please! Listen to me!”
Phoenix froze mid-swing, staring in disbelief. “Clarissa?!”
Her fists trembled, eyes burning with betrayal. “You’re still defending him? After what he did to you? He’s a fucking monster!”
“No… it’s not what you think,” Clarissa said, her voice shaking. “He didn’t force me. I—I like him.”
The room went silent.
Clarissa looked down, hands balled into fists. Her voice trembled but didn’t falter. “I love Atticus. He didn’t hurt me… I wanted it.”
It was the first time she’d ever said it aloud.
Atticus' eyes fixed on her with a mix of shock and something deeper.
Phoenix looked like she’d been slapped. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Clarissa… you…”
Her hands fell to her sides, trembling with disbelief.
Phoenix stared at Clarissa standing in front of her, then looked past her at Atticus.
For a moment, it felt like something had struck her right in the chest, knocking the air out of her lungs.
Memories—ones she had ignored or brushed off for years—started flooding back.
Yes… why had Clarissa always been so good to Atticus? Why had she protected him so fiercely, cared so deeply, and defended him again and again?
Why?
Now it made sense. The person Clarissa had cherished all along… was this boy.
A bitter smile tugged at Phoenix’s lips. “So that’s how it is.”
Clarissa looked at her anxiously, her voice tight, trying to explain. “Phoenix, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner, I just—”
But Phoenix raised her hand and cut her off.
“You don’t have to explain.”
She met Clarissa’s eyes with a gentle smile. “If this is what you want… then I’ll respect it. I’ll support you. And I’ll keep it a secret.”
Clarissa’s eyes lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Phoenix.”
But Phoenix couldn’t stay any longer. She felt like she was suffocating.
So without another word, she turned and walked away.
Maximilian saw her leave and quickly followed, concern written all over his face.
Delilah, who had been hiding in the hallway, peeked out just in time to see Phoenix’s retreating back. Her eyes widened—she had never seen Phoenix so angry before. That look just now… it was terrifying.
Once she was sure Phoenix was gone, she ran over to Clarissa.
“Clarissa! Did Phoenix take my flute?”
“Flute? What flute?” Clarissa asked, confused. “I didn’t see any flute here.”
Atticus raised an eyebrow. “You lost your flute?”
“Yeah… I thought I left it with you. You didn’t see it?”
Clarissa shook her head. “No, it wasn’t here.”
Delilah’s shoulders dropped. “Shit… it’s really gone. I’m so screwed. If my teacher finds out, he’s gonna kill me.”
Clarissa looked at her with concern. “Is it important? I can help you find it.”
Delilah hesitated, then gave a faint smile. “No, it’s fine. I’ll figure it out myself.” She glanced toward the stairs. “I better go. Phoenix is probably still pissed. She’s definitely gonna yell at me.”
With that, she turned and ran off.
Now only Clarissa and Atticus were left.
Clarissa finally exhaled, then turned to check on him. “Atticus, are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” he said, letting her fuss over him. “Maximilian took more damage than I did.”
He wasn’t lying. His arm was a little red, but it wasn’t serious.
Clarissa frowned at the mark. “Let me get the ointment.”
She returned with the medicine box and gently applied the cream while speaking. “Delilah said her flute’s missing. Is it really that serious?”
Atticus’s voice dropped. “Do you remember the song I played for you in Butterfly Valley?”
Clarissa looked up. “Of course I do. I’ll never forget it.”
Atticus gave a small nod. “If Delilah plays using her flute, it’s not just harmless butterflies and birds she can control.”
Clarissa’s eyes widened. “Wait—you mean...”
“Yes,” he said quietly.
Clarissa looked down at the ointment she was applying and then back at him. “Then shouldn’t we—”
Atticus interrupted, his voice low and teasing. “Clarissa, are you worrying about other people right now?”
She blinked. “What?”
He leaned in, eyes dark and intense. “You just told Phoenix you love me… ”
Clarissa’s heart stuttered. She looked away quickly. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into his warmth.
“I’m happy,” he whispered against her skin. “Clarissa, you finally stopped running from your feelings. You love me, don’t you?”
Clarissa didn’t say anything. She simply lowered her gaze… and held his hand where it rested on her waist.
That silent gesture was enough.
Atticus looked down at her, his lips curving ever so slightly. His eyes glowed with something soft.