Page 84 of Goldsin

“If you care about Julian, don’t interfere. If our father learns he cares about someone else too, he’ll start using you against him,” Adrian whispers in my ear.

Tears pool in the gap between my face and his hand, blurring my vision as his words sink in.

“Look at her, Julian. This is the price of your weakness,” I hear Lucian say as I struggle to breathe through my nose.

I feel a shiver run up my spine from the way Adrian’s body trembles against my back. He clenches his arm around me, holding me closer to him. I know he isn’t doing this to console me, but to use me as a shield to protect himself.

“Oh, grow some balls!” Lucian’s hand falls over Julian’s groin, and he squeezes, feeling him as he drives his point home. Adrian winces behind me—slightly, but enough for me to notice.

A breath hiccups out of me, silenced by Adrian’s hand as I feel a pulsing form at my temple.

Stop! Don’t fucking touch him!I want to scream. I want to throw myself in there and make him stop.

“Please,” I choke, my voice muffled by his hand.

“Trust me, I want to help them as much as you do, but we can’t risk making things worse,” is all Adrian says. It sounds like he’s suppressing his emotions about what’s happening before our eyes.

I keep my gaze on Julian, spotting the way his whole demeanor shifts when he twists around and punches his father in the face.

“Julian!” Lady Harrow screams.

Adrian’s hold on me tightens, almost to the point ofcutting off my air supply—except I’m already holding my breath. He’s clearly startled by Julian’s unexpected reaction too, anticipating the consequences.

“That will cost her a lot, son.” Lucian turns to him, a crooked, bloodied smile in place.

Shock coils around my heart, and I flinch back into Adrian, suppressing a scream as Lady Harrow gets punched in the face. She falls to the ground, sobs wrenching from her wobbling lips.

I can feel Adrian’s muscles stiffening as he watches his mother on the ground, defeated. His breathing is labored, his chest rising and falling in sync with my quickened heartbeat.

Nausea coils its way up. Julian falls to the floor alongside her, and I feel my legs give out too. If not for Adrian holding me, I’d be on my knees with him. I’d be by his side, lending him the strength he needs to fight back. To stop his father once and for all.

To help Lady Harrow.

To kill these psychos, like I’m doing with my mother’s demons.

My vision blurs with fresh tears as I watch Julian’s body shake.

And shake.

And shake.

His eyes are glued to his mom, mine on the boy I love as he crumbles in despair.

I can almost hear his shredded apologies.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

His silent words reach me. I hear him despite thedeafening chaos of the room. All I want is to go to him, hold him, give him hope.

Then Lucian’s hands land on Julian’s shoulder and he pulls him back to his feet.

“Why the fuck are you so soft for her?” he asks him, nose scrunching. “Is it because you want to fuck her?”

I fight back the noise that threatens to come out of me. With trembling fingers, I grip Adrian’s arm for support instead, feeling his pulse throb under my fingertips.

His hand around my mouth slips a little with all the tears rolling down my cheeks. Or maybe from his weakening resolve to remain in place and not help.

“Answer me!”

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