❛𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃, 𝐈'𝐌 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀 𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐑...❜ | 𝐍𝐨.𝟐

Chapter 9- Taking A Break...

I feel like i've been in this car for days.

We're driving back to Abbey Wood, in complete silence.

I can't believe Lauren would keep something like this from me. The one part of the case that i've been going over again and again, wringing my brain out for answers was sat right beside me all along.

She was the one who shot her father, she is the reason why i've had sleepless nights for three years.

My blood boils, too far over the edge for my own comfort, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just...there was never a right time..." she says sorrowfully, looking down but keeping her eyes on the road.

I scoff under my breath, "Is that the best you can come up with? The right time would have been when i told you about the case in the first place. The right time would have been when i was staying up countless nights trying to solve the murder case of your mother, hell! The right time would have been when we arrived in Oxford in the first goddamn place!"

"Emma, i understand you're upset-"

"That's an understatement! How do you expect me to send Victor down for life if you won't trust me?!"

This time, there's no response. Just silence.

I think i need to get away from Abbey for a few days, just me and Max.

So I go to the one person who always helps me get my shit together...

"Hey, Cadan."

"Hey, little sis. What's happening?"

"Can me and Max stay with you for a night or two?"

"Considering you're at my doorstep, how am i meant to say no?" i drop off our bags in the hallway and lay down a sleeping Max onto the grey plush couch, placing a dummy in his mouth.

"What brings you back home?"

"I just needed to take a break from London, and i wanted to see my big bro."

"Nice try, but i can read people like a book, you know that. Do dads know your here?"

I shake my head, "I'll see them later. I'm not in the mood for bone-crunching hugs and old man breath."

Cadan is always the one to pull me out of certain funks. I guess that's what big brothers are supposed to do, right? Other than leave the seat up and not flush the toilet.

"Mummy? Where are we?" a slumbering Max asks me, "We're at Uncle Cadan's house, baby, we've come to Cornwall for a few days."

"Where's mummy Lauren?"

My heart compresses itself and retracts again. I knew he'd ask me that question, and i'd be a fool to tell him we've been having problems, "She has some work to be doing back home, sweetheart, she couldn't come with us."

"Awww..." i haul him up onto my lap and kiss his cheek, "Don't worry though, we'll have lots of fun with Uncle Cadan! We can go to the seaside, get ice creams, and maybe if we're lucky he'll take us out to see the fishies."

Turns out we were lucky. Cadan has taken us out on one of our dad's boats by the harbour, "You don't know how to sail this thing, do you?"

"Does it matter? It's the journey what counts, right?"

Coming back to Falmouth makes me miss the water; the one thing London doesn't have.

When i made the decision to move to the city, it wasn't one i took lightly. Every time i come back home for the holidays it makes me miss the cool, breezy air and the crystalline waters.

Max is a lot like me that way, a child of the sea.

It helps me think, a bit like how the noise of rain helps some people sleep.

"So, what have you and Laura argued about?" i roll my eyes, he clearly knows her name, "It's Lauren, and what makes you say that?"

"I've told you, i can read people like a book. Plus, you never just decide to rock up to Cornwall, you're the most organised person i know."

"Yeah...y'know how i'm working on the case of her mum?"

"Yes..."

"She kept viable information about the case from me."

"Can you please speak like a normal 23 year old?" i roll my eyes skyward, "She lied to me. She made me drive myself insane trying to solve the case of her own mother, when the answer was right in front of me. How can i deal with that?"

"Be honest, have you kept anything from her?"

Why do brothers do this?! The guilt tripping is maddening, "I'll take your silence as a 'yes'."

"If i tell her the truth, it'll kill her inside. I- i can't do that..."

"And what is the truth?"

"That i may never solve the case of the murder. That i've been spending hours, days, weeks, years trying to pin him down but i can't. Fucking. Do. It." i grab a rock and toss it into the ocean, anger railing off of my body.

"Ever since you were younger, if you haven't been able to fix a problem, you get angry for it. A lot like dad. But did whatever Lauren keep from you kill you inside like this will her?"

"Well, yes, but...oh, god i'm a fucking hypocrite."

"Again, like father like daughter. Seeing things from both point of views helps. I'm no relationship expert, but sounds like you're just as fucked up as Laura is."

"It's Lauren."

"Tomayto tomahto. My point is, before you go judging other people take a look in the mirror first."

I know Cadan doesn't mean it in a horrible way; he's right, in his own rude manner.

Going to Cornwall is exactly what i needed.

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Thank you for reading!

I got a request from one of you to make a chapter about Emma and Cadan, so here it is!

Not the best one i've written i know, blame writers block!

Come back for chapter 10!