Page 83 of The Photograph

“Angel, he took advantage of your innocence and hurt you—”

“I haven’t been innocent since I was twelve.” Pain flashes in Cara’s eyes, but Aelin continues. “My Cara, you’ve been my mother, my friend, my monster slayer, and the best sister anyone can dream of.” She cups her sister’s face. “I love you so much, but saying Gabe took advantage of me, is saying that I’m some kind of walking target for perverts. And it hurts me that you would think of me that way. He’s a lot of things, but he’s not that.”

What am I to you?

“But what he did—”

Aelin shakes her head. “He lied and did terrible things. But he didn’t coerce me. I entered what I thought was a relationship. And I did because I wanted him, and I thought he wanted me the same way…”

I did. I still want you.

“…it was completely one-sided, but he didn’t take anything I wasn’t willing to give.”

Heat creeps up my nape, and I can feel Mike and Cal’s eyes on me.

Aelin touches her head to her sister’s before squeezing her sibling’s hands in hers. “I know you’re angry, I am too. I also know you’re worried, my Cara, but I’ve never felt unsafe with Gabe, not ever. So, to me, it’s just… a bad breakup.” When her sister’s eyes widen, Aelin winces. “A really horrible one. But I’m here and I’ll get over it.”

The pain in her voice rips through my chest.I don’t want you to get over me.

Cara scowls at her sister and tension fills the room once more. “How can you…? Are you seriously forgiving him?”

My whole-body strains toward Aelin’s answer.Baby, please.

“I don’t know about forgiveness, but I kind of understand his motives.” Her voice lowers.

“His brother had dozens surgeries, was in tremendous pain, and if the roles were reversed and you had fallen into a coma, I probably wouldn’t have been in my right mind —”

Cara whips her head toward Mike who exhales sharply. “You were in a coma?”

Before Mike can reply, Aelin’s sister leaps to him and frames my brother’s face who looks lost and happy to be lost as he watches the woman he loves. “How bad was it?”

My brother wraps his hand around her waist and pulls her to him. “I’m okay now, I—”

Cara snaps her gaze to me. “How bad was he?”

I clench my jaw at the memories. “Fucking bad.”

On a small gasp, Aelin’s sister returns her attention to Mike. “When did this happen? You left and—”

“When I came back, you were gone.”

Her breath rushes out. “You came back?”

Mike’s eyes drill into hers. “To you? Always.”

Cara’s breath hitches and she loops her arms around Mike’s neck who touches his forehead to hers. “Mitch. Oh, God, Mitch,” she whispers.

I catch Cal’s eyes and grind my teeth.Yeah, you were right, so you can stop the fucking gloating.

“Let me take you home, my heart,” my brother whispers.

Aelin smiles. “I think that’s a good idea.”

Mike wraps his arm around Cara, and they walk out of the office.

When the door closes behind them, Aelin pivots to Cal. “Caleb, I apologize you had to witness this the first time we meet, I can assure you today was…” She lets out a cute grunt. “…not the norm.”

Cal steps to her and kisses the back of her hand. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Aelin. Hope to see you again.”

---