BROKEN VOWS (Broken Redemption Book 1)

Chapter 14

Lucas

Walking back toward the house, I'm livid. As much as I want to go in there and tear into these people, I can't forget that there are two little girls on the other side of that door who don't deserve to be put in the middle of this. What happened tonight clarifies how much the dynamics of this family changed after George's death. While I remember that Embree's mom was somewhat aloof when it came to her daughter, I never could have imagined what I saw tonight.

Back in the foyer, I run into Ben and Jen, who look to be getting ready to leave. In the background, I hear the echoes of an argument between who I assume is Embree's mother and stepfather.

"How is she?" My sister asks. Though I know her concern is genuine, it does nothing to tamp down the outrage that's prickling at the base of my skull. Everyone who sat at that table played a part in what happened. Even the paltry attempts Jenny made to protect Embree were nowhere near enough.

"How do you think she is? She's upset. I'm here for the girls. I'm taking them home." When my sister flinches at my clipped tone, I instantly regret taking my frustrations out on her. The reality is I know nothing of what's led these people to this point, so at the very least, I owe Jenny the benefit of the doubt. Softening my tone, I tell her, "I'm sorry. She'll be okay. I'll drop them off and make sure she's back to herself before I leave."

"Should I go to her?"

"Nah..." I pull her in for a hug, my left hand rubbing circles on her back in the same soothing way I used to when we were kids. "I've got her. Maybe just give her a call later tonight."

"Have I told you how happy I am that you're back?" She sighs into my chest as she snuggles in close. Her wistful tone hits me like a knife straight to the heart. I know how badly she wants me to stay, and as I hold her, I feel the tension of that want sitting between us like a deep emotional fissure I'm not sure how to breach.

"I love you, baby sister. No matter where I am, that will never change." The tear-filled frown when she pulls back to look up at me deepens my guilt. I've always wondered if leaving her behind was the right choice, and knowing that tomorrow I'll be leaving her again is killing me. This is yet another reason I didn't want to come back. As much as this reunion with her and Embree has meant to me, it's only making the heartache of separation that much more painful.

"You're still leaving, aren't you?"

"Tomorrow." Unable to take the disappointment reflected in her eyes, I pull her back into my arms. "But it won't be like before. You have my number. I'll come back to visit when I can. You have my word."

I don't know how long we stand there holding on to one another. It's like we're clinging to the moment out of fear that once we let go, this right here, will forever disappear. It's an unease that was sewn into the fabric of our being the moment our parents were taken from us.

When we pull apart, she wipes the tears from under her eyes and then gives me a sad smile.

"Okay. I'll, uh, go help Annelly get the girls ready. I'll be right back." She says as she steps away.

When she moves to go past Ben, he reaches for her and drops a tender kiss on the top of her head. The look in his eyes as he watches her leave the room is filled with such adoration that it eases what lingering doubts I had about their relationship. He genuinely loves her, which I'm grateful for since it's what she deserves. Still, it's not enough to excuse how he sat there and watched Embree get crushed by her stepfather.

"What the hell was that, Ben?" I hiss in barely contained anger. "I just stood in that room," I point towards the living room. "And thanked you for taking care of them in my absence, and yet you sat there and did nothing while that asshole tore her apart."