Chapter 36: More Than a Punching Bag
Josie
"Is this because neither of my brothers is trying to talk to you?" Varen’s voice was low, almost casual—but I wasn’t fooled. There was tension beneath it, sharp and wounded. "And now you’re just... using me as your last option?"
The words hit harder than I expected.
I opened my mouth, ready to deny it, but nothing came out right away. My lips parted and closed again. I searched his face, but it was unreadable—guarded like stone. I hated that I was the reason he looked like that.
"That’s not fair," I whispered. "Varen, it’s not like that—"
"Isn’t it?" he cut in, a bitter smile ghosting his lips. "I’ve always known I came last when it came to my brothers. That wasn’t the surprise, Josie. But I didn’t expect to be last with you too."
His words twisted into me like a dagger, and I flinched. I hated that he felt that way—hated that I had made him feel that way. I fumbled for something, anything, to say that could undo what my silence had done. But all I could do was follow him as he quietly walked me back to my room.
He didn’t say another word, and neither did I.
***************
I didn’t sleep that night.
Instead, I laid there, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as his voice echoed again and again in my head.