Page 102 of Ripple Effect

As we near my family’s neighborhood, Daisy’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. “I hope you’re not nervous about me meeting your family,” she says. “I’ve already met two of your siblings, and it can’t be any worse than my own.”

I try to match her levity, but it’s a half-hearted attempt at best. “Yeah, I know.”

When we finally arrive, the living room is filled with warmth and laughter. My younger sisters and niece are seated around the coffee table with Harper, stringing popcorn garlands for the tree. Bentley immediately weaves between their legs, stealing stray pieces that fall to the floor.

After a quick introduction, Daisy rushes to join them, and I stand off to the side with my brother. There’s a weight in my chest that feels both warm and suffocating. The familiar laughter, the cozy closeness of my family, should feel welcoming. Instead, a cold, nagging feeling has sunk deep inside.

“I’m really glad you found Daisy,” Luca says. “Bentley brought light back into your life, sure, but I’ve never seen you this happy before.”

We share a rare, genuine smile, the truth behind his words shaking me out of my haze. But before I can formulate a proper response, an insistent knock on the front door steals our attention.

Luca sighs, grumbling under his breath, “How many more people can fit in this goddamn house?”

June hops up from her spot at the table, racing to answer it, but her mother is quick to intercept. “Junebug, you can’t open the door for strangers,” she says, gently nudging her back. “Finish the popcorn, okay? We’ll let your Uncle El answer.”

I shoot her a half-assed glare as I move toward the door, chuckling when she sticks her tongue out in return. But when I finally pull it open, a ghost from my past is standing on the other side, eyes bloodshot and posture unsteady.

My stomach churns, haunted by the familiar sight. Of course, Jacks has chosen the perfect time to show up here again, and he’s clearly high as a fucking kite.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss, glancing back at the joyful scene behind me. With a heavy sigh, I shut the door until it clicks, the noise sealing off the warmth from the chilly outside.

“I just needed to see you,” he says, scrubbing a hand across the side of his face. He looks strung out, worn down, worse for wear than I’ve ever seen him before.

“Are you fucking serious?” I snap, trying to keep my voice even. “Why now? After all this time?”

“Like I had any other choice,” he spits back, eyes narrowing. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for weeks, and you’ve been ignoring me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, clenching my fists to prevent them from shaking, gaze flitting to the door behind me. “But you need to leave. Now.”

His laughter is bitter. “Fine, go ahead. Go back inside with your perfect fucking family. Abandon me just like you did when we were kids.”

“Abandonyou?” I echo, incredulous. I take a step closer, the heat of my anger bubbling up inside. “You’re fucking delusional, man. I was there! I was there on what became one of the darkest days of my life, and you were the one who left. You disappeared, changed your number, and I spiraled. I never abandoned you. I cared about you when you sure as shit didn’t deserve it.”

He shoves me, pushing me back against the door. I stumble but regain my footing.

“I didn’t want to leave you like that,” he snarls, voice strained. “But I had to. Cops were outside, ready to nab me. So, I ran. But a month later? They caught up with me, anyway. Possession with intent to sell. And where were you? Rehab? College? While I rotted away alone?”

I shake my head, disbelief muddling my thoughts. “How can you possibly blame me for that? You cut ties first, long before I pulled myself out of that hell.”

He smirks, a twisted curve of his lips. “So, what’s your problem? I helped you, didn’t I? Now you’ve got money, a family who cares about you, a little girlfriend.”

“You don’t know anything about my life. Not anymore.”

He leans in, his voice a whisper of menace. “But I do, E. I’ve seen all your fucking videos. You and whoever you can get, making money hand over fist.”

A cold, creeping realization snakes its way through my veins. The pieces fall into place feel like shards of glass embedding themselves into my brain. My vision narrows, focusing only on him.

Those comments. That familiarity.

“It’s you, isn’t it?” I ask, choking back the dread, the feelings of violation. “You’re Sapphire?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” His chuckle is dark, twisted. “And I’ve got so much dirt on you that you wouldn’t believe. You need to let me in on this. Split the fucking profits, or I’ll show everyone in there exactly what kind of man you are.”

I square my shoulders. “I’m not giving you anything.”

He juts his chin out defiantly. “Youoweme.”

“Owe you?” I ask, tugging at my hair in disbelief. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Because if you weren’t such a waste of space, if you didn’t wake me up all those years ago, I wouldn’t have the life I do now. And it’s a damn good one.”

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