Brittany O'Neill and her family packed up everything and moved to Berkeley, California for a fresh start. Her brother and she were excepted into Berkeley University and she thought it would be the great college experience. With little to no stresses...
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Chapter: Forty
"Britt I'm sorry. It's going to take me putting aside a lot of my pride, but I was wrong. Wrong for keeping this from you and for what I did to Tamron. I have a great deal of respect for his father and maybe even the kid himself. I lost my temper again and someone suffered as a result. I'll have to apologize to him as well and to Max. I said and did things I didn't mean and I feel remorse.
I didn't want you to find out yet because I had planned to tell you myself, perhaps with Niles, but things got in the way. I had hoped some other things would be taken care of first to better protect you. That didn't happen and now you've met Victor. I shouldn't have used Aubrey, either, but she's intelligent for a child her age. She knew I would only ask this of her if it was important."
"She was in on it?" I questioned.
"She was afraid you'd leave her and upset about it. I assured her it was for the best if you did, but despite her intelligence, she is a child with a child's mind. She couldn't understand things properly and we tell her only what she can handle at her young age. We protect her too and you now know why. I didn't want you to leave, but I'm sure we both also hoped maybe you could. Victor wouldn't allow that, of course, but we'll deal with what comes next. Whatever it is, we'll make the best of it."
I moved slowly, wrapping him in a hug. I felt his arms around me after a moment and I remembered that kiss we'd shared. Yes, I had feelings for him. Yes, I wanted to help him with his anger and pain if I could. I didn't know if that was possible, but I wanted to try. I also needed to know how poor Tamron was. As Liam said, somehow, we would have to make the best of this. I hadn't completely forgiven him for this. I hadn't completely forgiven Niles, but I tried to see things from their point of view.
I let him go, turning to Niles. "Could you take me to see Tamron?"
"Of course," he nodded.
The atmosphere in the room had changed. Everyone was more relaxed and at least a temporary peace had ensued for now. Zeke wrapped his arm around Lily, kissing her head as she smiled at me against him. Henry and Megan shared a seemingly relieved kiss and Louis, eyes full of joy, nudged Liam, causing him to glare, but it defused into a grin as he shook his head. Niles and I headed to his car, and we left for the Marksans.
"I was wrong today," Niles said suddenly.
"About?" I prompted.
"I must have come off as angry at you, but that was never the case. I was only angry at myself."
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't hurt or surprised at you leaving me. It's happened many times, some of which are out of our control. I don't blame you for that. I never could because you're always being unfairly pulled into something you don't want and can't help. I'm tasked with being your guardian, yet the calamity of that is my duty can never be properly fulfilled. No matter what steps I take to keep you safe, I always fail. Nothing is worse than not being able to protect the one you love most. I always try, but it never seems to be enough. Not being honest was an attempt to do that.
