Page 120 of Unraveling Rain
Ruin pulls back just enough to search my face. “Are you alright?”
I look away.
“Fuck, Rain. What happened? Were Xander’s parents complete jerks?” she blurts, clearly trying to fill the silence.
I scoff lightly as we make our way to the living room. We settle into the cozy window nook—a spot tucked beside bookshelves, facing the mountains, with a huge, cushioned chaise lounge where we both fit perfectly.
We curl into the seat, facing each other like we always used to do. I place my hands under my head, taking a long breath, steadying myself.
“This… is a conversation I never wanted to have with you.” My voice wavers, but I push through. “I know you and I share pretty much everything, especially when we were younger. But what I’m going to tell you… It happened a long time ago. And the only reason I’m sharing now is because the pastcame back around—and there’s no one else I can talk to about this.”
Ruin’s eyes widen, her expression tightening with emotion. “Rain, you’re freaking me out. What’s going on?”
“Do you remember the summer before senior year? When I told you I had an accident?”
She nods slowly. Doesn’t even blink.
“River and I told everyone Dennis and I were in a car accident. That he was in such bad shape, his family had to move away to get him better care. But what really happened…” I pause, swallowing hard. My lungs squeeze like they’re trying to collapse inward. “What happened is Dennis assaulted me. And River beat him so badly, they had to leave town.”
Ruin gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “What? He assaulted you? Rain—how? Why?”
I close my eyes. I knew this would hurt her. I knew it would break something in both of us. But it has to be said.
“He sexually assaulted me.”
Her eyes shut instantly, and the tears spill over. She says nothing for a moment, just lets the grief and rage move through her in silence.
I feel my own tears running down my face, our shared pain wrapping around us like a storm.
We cry together for a while, silently, until she finally speaks.
“Oh, Rain.” Her voice cracks. “I’m not even sure what to say. I won’t ask why you didn't tell me, but you know, no matter what, you’re my twin. You can always come to me.”
“I know,” I whisper. “But it just didn’t feel right at the time.”
She gives me a watery smile and reaches out, her fingers finding the pulse point on my wrist. She starts rubbing it gently. I close my eyes and breathe with her, letting the calm she offers slowly wash over me.
“So… what happened now?” she asks quietly. “Did you tell Xander?”
I nod. “Yeah. I told him before he left. He was amazing.”
A small smile lifts my lips, despite the ache in my chest. I think of how he held me, cried with me. Loved me harder after the truth came out. He truly is one of a kind.
“But while we were visiting his parents, I got a text from an unknown number. It was Dennis.”
Ruin’s entire face darkens. Her cheeks flush deep red as she sits up. “He dared to contact you again?”
I sit up too, needing to meet her on this level of fury.
“I know. It totally knocked the wind out of me. I shut down, Ruin. I didn’t tell Xander. Now he’s worried about me, which is the last thing I wanted since he has to focus on his game.”
“Did you respond?” she asks, still rubbing my wrist, groundingme.
I shake my head. “No. But now I don’t know what the hell to do.”
“What do youwantto do?”
I laugh bitterly as I wipe my cheeks.
