Chapter 217
“If today’s readings hold,” Irene said, shifting to practical matters, “we can discharge you. I’ll come by daily for treatments.”
Brandon’s eyes sparked with sudden inspiration. “Hey–isn’t your place in Emerald Garden crazy spacious? Joseph mentioned it has plenty of room.”
He leaned forward, transparently eager. “What if I stayed with you? saves you the commute, plus I get quality time with the kids! They love their Uncle Brandon, right?”
Nathan frowned, lines deepening between his eyebrows. “We have your room ready at home…”
Brandon shot him a look that could’ve wilted plants. Seriously? his expression said. Read the room, big brother.
Irene glanced between them, the suggestion hanging awkwardly. Her At the Sterling house? Daily?
Nathan caught their matched expressions and finally understood. His words died somewhere between brain and tongue.
“I am not going back to that house,” Brandon clarified, voice suddenly firm. “I want to hang with my nieces and nephew!”
He turned puppy–dog eyes on Irene. “Those kids are something else. And they actually like me!”
Irene’s brow furrowed slightly, weighing the request.
“Plus,” Brandon pressed his advantage, “Joseph’s already staying there. You want the old man driving all over town every day to check on me?”
Irene’s shoulders dropped in surrender. “You’ve got an answer for everything.” She paused, then nodded once. “Fine. But my place isn’t a charity. Room and board–you pay on time or you’re out.”
Brandon pumped his fist in victory, looking like he’d just won the championship race. “Done! You won’t regret it!”
Wesley watched this exchange from his corner, something complicated passing behind his eyes. Family warmth seemed to reach him through glass–visible but untouchable.
He turned toward the door, voice barely audible. “Glad it worked out. I should go.”
This was Irene’s first time hearing Wesley speak–his voice sounded unused, like an instrument left in storage too long.
Brandon sighed dramatically. “Seriously? This again? You just got here! Every family thing that happens, you’re a ghost. Do we even register as relatives to you?”
Wesley’s hand froze on the half–open door. His breathing changed, becoming uneven and shallow. Without turning, he answered, “Of course you do.”
“Then act like it,” Nathan added, exasperation breaking through his usually controlled tone. “Brandon has an excuse for not coming
home. What’s yours?”
Wesley’s hand fell from the door. His breathing grew more labored, and when he turned, the raw emotion in his usually dead eyes made everyone flingh
“I said no. Each word carried ice but also trembled with something dangerous beneath.
The room went still. Brandon and Nathan exchanged startled glances Neither knew how to handle this version of their brother who seemed one wrong word away from shattering.
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Chapter 217
Irene stood quietly and moved toward Wesley. From her coat pocket she pulled out a small pill bottle and placed it in his pale hand with the casual ease of someone who knows exactly what’s needed.
“Take one when you can’t sleep she said softly, noticing his wide pupils and shaky fingers. “I made sure it’s the right strength for
you.”
She didn’t elaborate further, just patted his arm gently before slipping past him into the hallway.
Wesley stood frozen, the unexpected warmth of the bottle seeping into his cold palm. Confusion, disbelief, and something dangerously close to hope crossed his face in rapid succession.
How had she known? How had she spotted in minutes what hits family had missed for years? And why would she help him—a brother in name only?
The pills rattled as his hand shook. For the first time in years, Wesley felt a tiny crack form in the walls he’d built around himself. Someone had finally seen him.
