𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲.
𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞
I am the judge, the jury, and the executioner.
Francesca "Frank" Monroe. One of the most successful criminal defense attorneys in the history of Illinois. The woman everyon...
"I don't like it, but my hands are tied. I just want you to know this: if I ever get the chance to betray you, I will. If the opportunity arises to pay you back, I'll take it. You'll never be able to trust me."
- Darren Shan
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I pulled out a small suitcase, ready to pack for my trip to New York.
I wasn't thrilled about leaving Uncle Ben and Noah alone for two whole days. I'd put Sawyer in charge while I was gone, and Papa was around if they needed anything, but the idea of being away from Noah didn't sit right. It felt... wrong. Like something I shouldn't even be considering.
I was so close to scrapping the whole plan and staying put when a knock at the door snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts.
"Frankie?" he called from the other side.
I shot up from where I was sitting, instantly relieved when I saw him in the doorway. "Hey, baby. What's up?" I said, waving him in.
He walked in slowly, heading straight for the ashtray on the windowsill where I'd left a cigarette still burning. He snuffed it out without a word and turned back to me. "When's your flight?" he asked, his blue eyes searching mine.
"In two hours," I said, watching him carefully. "But, Noah, if you want me to stay, I will. I'll cancel everything."
"No, don"t do that," he said, shaking his head. "I just wish you'd take Sawyer with you. For protection. You know I worry about you."
His words—and the way he looked at me—made my heart squeeze. The care in his voice, the worry in his eyes... it was overwhelming in the best way.
I reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Baby, I'll be fine, I promise. Sawyer needs to stay here with you and Uncle Ben. You're my priority."
Noah's eyes shifted away from mine, and I knew then that whatever he would say next would stab straight through my heart. "I know you worry about me... more than anyone," he whispered. "I'm your weak point, Frankie. And we both know people break at their weakest points."
"Noah, stop—" I tried, but he cut me off, his words coming in a rush.
"I'm a burden to you. I know it. I hate it. I wish I wasn't. I wish I could be different, be helpful. Instead, I just... hold you back." He shrugged helplessly, still refusing to meet my eyes.
I grabbed his hands, holding them tight. A wave of sorrow and frustration crashed through me, but I pushed it down.
"Baby, listen to me," I said firmly. "You are not a burden. You've never been one. You're my strength, my hope, my reason to keep fighting. You keep me grounded when everything else feels like it's falling apart. There's nothing about you I'd ever want to change."
