Page 112 of Breaking Point

“Are you okay?” I whisper, and from the way he winces, I know he’s more hurt than he’s letting on.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Shut it,” Donatello snaps, and my eyes flicker to him.

“What do you think you’re going to accomplish?” I hiss, and he smiles, rubbing his chin.

The guards pull the door open again, and my gaze hardens as Chase enters. It’s not much of a surprise, but it still stings.“Good morning.”

His face is full of contempt as he unbuttons his blazer, leaning down to kiss Sofia’s cheek. She doesn’t react, merely staring ahead as Chase sits beside her, nosdding towards Rema.

“Father.”

They’re siblings.

“You and your sister were supposed to keep a tighter rein on all of this.”

“Well, it’s done now, isn’t it?” Sofia snaps.

The auction, Corino’s, Sofia and Aleks’ sham of an engagement.

“How many of you are there?” I wonder aloud.

“Have you eaten yet?” Chase asks, and I want to spit at him for even asking, but when he serves Sofia and himself a plate, I bite my tongue.

The scent of buttery croissants and sausages fills my nose, and my stomach howls. Rema lifts his chin, asking, “Can you serve yourself? Or should I?”

“I’m not hungry,” I deny. I remain silent as Remaheaps a couple servings on my plate. Then Aleks’. I stare, steam filling the air.

“Eat. That's all you’ll get.”

Everyone serves themselves, quietly eating until Rema glances at Chase. “Have we heard anything from him?”

It could be Skar or Crew. Or my father- and anyone else involved, but I keep my mouth shut. One glance at my food, and I can’t help but shovel a few mouthfuls into my mouth. I don’t care about the taste enough to slow down. I continue, bite after bite.

Chase says, “We should have waited-“

“We should have done a lot of things,” Rema bites, glaring at both of his children. “You told me you had her under control.”

“Itwasunder control. It appears that Ms. Hughes is more resourceful than we gave her credit for.”

“I never should have trusted you two with this.”

Sofia sighs. “It would have worked.”

“Maybe if you weren’t keen on leaving gifts, it would have,” Chase bites back before looking at me. Then it dawns on me that they left a lot more than just letters.

“Enough,” Donatello snaps.

Sofia doesn’t meet my eye.

She left the flowers.

My gaze slides to Aleks, who refuses to look up.

“We need to be prepared for this weekend,” Donatello continues.

“The plan hasn’t changed,” Chase explains around a mouthful of food.

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