Page 108 of Unspoken Hearts
I didn’t expect her to say that.
I want to argue against her. To tell her that she’s wrong, but no words come out.
She sniffs again before continuing, “My parents used to always tell me off for getting in the way.” I see the prickling of moisture in her wide eyes. “That’s the last thing Mum told me when they left, that she didn’t have the time for me when I asked them where they were going.”
I feel my heart shatter beneath my ribs as I reach over, engulfing her in my arms.
“First my parents left without telling me, and then my aunt. What if—”
“No,” I utter, squeezing her tighter. “Don’t even think it.”
Macie’s long golden lashes blink before she shakes her head against my chest. “I-I don’t want to believe it, but what if—” Her voice cracks on the words.
I hear the question behind those words.
What if she’s the reason that they keep leaving?
I hate that she thinks that way, like she’s the issue, and because of her, Axel hasn’t had a good childhood. It’s not fair on her to think this way. To have to prove herself to everyone around her that she can handle everything, and that nothing affects her, when really, she’s just shoving it all aside because it’s easier for her to deal with.
I hate it. She shouldn’t have to think this way. How long has she? How long has she kept herself at arms length from people to keep herself from being hurt again?
I bite down on my cheek, shaking my head at her damaging thoughts.
“You’re not the reason,” I growl in a low tone.
I hear her sob gently. “You didn’t see them when they left for the last time.” Her voice is barely audible as she starts vibrating against me. “Mum shouted at me to keep out of their business. They didn’t care about Axel and I. We were just in their way.” She stops to sniff again before mumbling, “We were too much for them.”
“You weren’t,” I say defensively. “You’re nothing like that. Look at me.” My fingers grab onto her chin, lifting her gaze up to mine. “You didn’t push any of them away. Macie, you are the kindest person I know. You have done everything for your brother, because you love him. Don’t listen to what those people said because they—” I stop myself from finishing off that sentence, gulping down those silent words as hot tears spill from her lashes.
I know she’s figured out what I was going to say.
Macie pulls her chin out of my grip, looking down at our connected hands. I feel a warm droplet hitting the skin of my finger. “I know they never loved me,” Macie wheezes.
I’ve never wanted to hit someone more than I do right now. If I knew their names, I’d hunt them down just to teach them a lesson for abandoning their own kids.
My chest struggles as the world begins to tilt, every organ in my body tearing apart as she bursts out into tears. I mumble out a curse before pulling her into my arms again, wanting to protect her from everyone who has ever hurt her.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say that,” I mumble against her ear as she cries into the crook of my neck.
My usually bright girl is falling apart because of me, and I hate that I’ve done this to her. I never meant to say it. This is why I keep my mouth shut.
She shakes her head against my skin as I breathe her in, arms locked around her shaking body as my blood pumps furiously through me.
“No,” comes out in a heavy sob. “No, you’re right. They never did. But I never loved them, either.” The truth spills from her lips like venom.
Tucking her head under my chin, I feel her heart pounding against mine. I don’t dare let go of her. She needs to know that I’m here for her, and that I’m not letting her deal with this alone. I never will. I’ll fight Grayson for her if I have to, because she’s everything to me, and I will never let her go.
“I’m so sorry, Mae.”
Her crying slows after holding her for a few minutes, and I carefully pull myself away to peer down at her rosy eyes. Her gaze drifts down my face, from my eyes to my mouth, then back up again. I feel the words on the tip of my tongue. The three simple words I’ve been dying to tell her for so long. Ones that she might not have heard in a long time.
My mouth opens to speak, but Macie cuts me off, “I don’t cry in front of people.”
I can feel her shields rising a little.
I know it’s the way she is, from being brought up in those bitter environments, but I want to shatter them completely. She doesn’t need raised walls around me, because I’m going to be the one to protect her from anything that haunts her mind.
“You can always cry in front of me.”
