Her Lonely Grey Eyes

Chapter 5 - Caught by twin

𝘾𝙀𝘾𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙓 (𝘿𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙒𝙊𝙊𝘿)

A photo frame beside the bed caught my attention.

Without thinking, I picked it up.

It was a family portrait.

The Dashwoods stood together in front of a garden, dressed perfectly, smiling like the picture belonged in some expensive magazine. Matthew stood behind Mabel with one hand on her shoulder while the brothers crowded around her protectively.

They looked happy.

Complete.

I almost scoffed at the sight.

My fingers tightened slightly around the frame before I carefully placed it back where I found it.

And that was when I felt it.

Someone watching me.

My heart nearly stopped.

I turned sharply toward the bed and froze.

Mabel was awake.

Wide awake.

For a second, neither of us moved.

Then, unexpectedly, she spoke.

"Your eyes shine in the dark."

Her voice was soft and sleepy, almost gentle enough to make someone lower their guard.

I didn't respond.

Couldn't.

"My mother used to tell me my sister had grey eyes," she continued quietly as she slowly sat up. "Really light ones."

The room suddenly felt too small.

Mabel studied me carefully, but there wasn't fear in her expression.

Only shock.

Curiosity.

And something dangerously close to hope.

"She always cries when people talk about my sister," Mabel whispered. "Sometimes I catch her staring at our baby pictures for hours."

She pointed weakly toward another frame near the shelf.

I looked over and saw a photograph of two newborn babies sleeping beside each other.

Twins.

Us.

A strange feeling twisted painfully in my chest.

"Mabel," I finally said quietly, warning hidden in my tone. "You should go back to sleep."

But instead of listening, she climbed off the bed and walked toward me.

I instinctively stiffened when she reached for my hand.

Her fingers were warm.

"You really look like me," she whispered.

Before I could react, she suddenly wrapped her arms around me.

I froze completely.

"I always wanted to meet my sister," she said against my shoulder, her voice breaking. "Everyone gets sad whenever you're mentioned. My mom tries to hide it, but she can't. My brothers go quiet. Even my father changes."

I stared blankly ahead while she held onto me like she was afraid I'd disappear.

"I thought..." she continued shakily, "maybe if you came back one day, everything in our family would finally feel normal again."

Something inside my chest hurt hearing that.

I wasn't used to this.

People feared me. Hated me. Obeyed me.

They didn't cry while hugging me.

Slowly, awkwardly, I placed a hand against her back.

The motion felt unfamiliar.

But Mabel relaxed instantly.

Outside the room, I suddenly heard faint footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Someone was approaching.

Mabel pulled away first, quickly wiping her eyes.

"You need to leave," she whispered urgently.

I glanced toward the door.

The footsteps were getting closer.

Mabel gave me a small, watery smile. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you were here."

I hesitated.

For the first time in years... I didn't want to leave immediately.

But staying would be suicide.

I nodded once before stepping toward the balcony.

Right before climbing over, I looked back at her one last time.

She stood in the middle of the room holding onto the sleeves of her pajamas, eyes red from crying.

Looking at me like she had just found something precious.

I quickly disappeared into the darkness before anyone could see me.

•••

When I slipped back inside the car, Logan didn't say anything immediately.

He had heard everything through the earpiece.

The silence between us felt heavy.

He started driving without a word while I stared out the window, watching city lights blur past.

Usually after missions, my head stayed clear.

Tonight, it felt crowded.

Mabel's voice wouldn't leave my mind.

I want my sister so our family could be happy.

I hated how much those words affected me.

After several minutes, Logan suddenly pulled the car over.

I looked around, confused.

We weren't near the mansion.

We were near the coast.

Dark waves crashed softly against the rocks below while cold wind swept through the night air.

Without explaining, Logan stepped out of the car and walked around to my side.

He opened the passenger door and held out his hand.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it silently.

He helped me out, but instead of letting go, he kept his hand around mine as he guided me toward the fence overlooking the ocean.

The cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying the scent of saltwater.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

And somehow, that silence felt kinder than words.