Elly's about to make the biggest move of her life-from Germany to America. But before she officially settles in, a school trip takes her to Freeridge, the city she'll soon call home. What she didn't expect? Meeting someone who's about to flip her wo...
Oscar walked into the house slowly, his head down, each step heavy and deliberate. When he reached the couch in the living room, he sat down, his eyes scanning the space as if he was seeing it for the first time. Ray's things were gone, leaving the room feeling strangely empty, like the ghost of his presence still lingered.
I sat down next to him in silence. We stayed that way for a few minutes until he finally leaned into me, resting his head on my shoulder. His eyes closed, his breathing steady but weary.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked softly.
"No," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
I wrapped an arm around him and gently scratched his head, feeling his tension ease just a bit. I knew this always helped him relax, and right now, he needed that more than anything.
We spent the rest of the day together on that couch, talking softly, cuddling, letting the TV drone in the background. The hours passed, and as evening settled in, we heard the door open. Cesar stepped inside, his eyes immediately sensing something was wrong. Oscar rose and looked at him, gesturing toward the couch.
"Sit," Oscar said firmly.
Cesar, still wary, sat down. Oscar looked at him, struggling to find the words. Finally, he said, "Ray... he—he left. Again."
Cesar's face registered disbelief. "He wouldn't leave without saying goodbye."
Oscar's jaw tightened, and he nodded, his voice quiet but steady. "He did."
Cesar let out a sigh, then stood, stepping closer to his brother.
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Cesar's expression shifted, hurt and frustration clear on his face. "What did you do?" he demanded.
Oscar's face hardened. "I didn't do shit."
"Exactly. You didn't do shit," Cesar snapped. "You could've helped him find a new job or something, but you just let him go."
Oscar's face went blank. "I don't have that kind of power, Cesar."
"Oh, bullshit!" Cesar spat, stepping closer. "I bet you're happy about it. You wanted him gone."
Oscar's patience was thinning. "Happy? You think this makes me happy?" he asked, voice low. "I'm your brother, Cesar. For most of your life, I've been more of a dad to you than he ever was. If you're going to be mad at someone, be mad at him. He's the one that up and left. Again."
Cesar's face twisted in anger, and without warning, he shoved Oscar back. Oscar took a steadying breath, trying to stay calm, even as Cesar shoved him again, each push fueled by years of resentment and betrayal.
"Monse was right," Cesar said, his voice shaking. "You're cursed. Everything bad that's happened to me—it's all because of you."
With that, Cesar stormed out of the room, leaving Oscar standing there, hurt and stunned. Without another word, he grabbed his keys and left the house, needing space to deal with the sting of his brother's words.
