The Hybrid's Ex

Chapter 27

The tension in the Salvatore mansion was palpable.

After Kol's revelation, the entire household had retreated into their own thoughts, yet they knew a family discussion was inevitable.

Damon paced in the living room, his hands running through his hair in frustration, while Sofia sat quietly on the couch, her eyes distant but alert.

Across from her, Jace sat stiffly, his jaw clenched, staring blankly at the floor, while Issy leaned against the window, her back turned to the room, biting her lip in guilt.

Alex sat next to Jace, his presence grounding his brother.

He hadn’t said much, but his protective nature was apparent as he kept glancing between Damon and Jace, ready to speak if needed.

Angela, curled up beside Issy, was visibly concerned, her small hands gripping Issy’s arm, offering silent support.

“I can’t believe this,” Damon finally spoke, breaking the silence.

His voice was low but charged with emotion. “Kol figured it out, and now the entire Mikaelson family knows.”

Issy’s shoulders tensed at his words, her guilt gnawing at her. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled softly, barely audible.

Sofia looked up, her gaze softening as she heard her daughter’s words. “Issy, sweetheart, this isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is!” Issy spun around, her eyes filled with frustration and guilt. “If I hadn’t slipped up and mentioned our ages, none of this would’ve happened. Rebekah wouldn’t have figured it out.”

Jace’s jaw tightened further. He finally looked up, his blue eyes cold and distant. “They were bound to find out eventually, Issy. We’ve known for years. It’s not like we could keep this secret forever.”

Alex placed a calming hand on Jace’s shoulder, but Jace shrugged it off, standing abruptly. “We didn’t ask for any of this,” he muttered, his voice bitter. “Klaus wasn’t there for us. Why should we have to deal with his family now?”

Damon sighed, leaning against the fireplace, his face conflicted. “You’re right, Jace. None of this was your choice. But now that the Mikaelsons know… we can’t just ignore it.”

Jace shot him a glare. “I’m not ignoring it. I’m rejecting it. I don’t want anything to do with him. We’ve built our life here, with you and mom. That’s enough for me.”

Sofia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded, understanding her son’s pain. “You’re right, Jace. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Neither of you do.”

Issy, who had been silent, finally spoke again, her voice shaky. “But what if… what if I don’t want to reject him?”

She looked conflicted, torn between her loyalty to her family and the undeniable bond she shared with Klaus. “I know we agreed we wouldn’t see him, but… sometimes I wonder…”

Angela, who had been quietly listening, tugged at Issy’s sleeve. “You’re not alone, Issy. We’ll figure this out together. Just like we always do.”

Issy gave her cousin a small, grateful smile, brushing Angela’s hair back in a comforting gesture. “Thanks, Angie.”

Damon watched his daughter, his heart aching.

He knew this wasn’t easy for her, or for any of them. “Look, I know Klaus is your biological father,” Damon said, his voice softening. “But I’m your dad. I’ve always been, and I always will be.”

Jace nodded, his face softening slightly. “You’re more than enough, Dad. We don’t need him.”

Alex finally spoke, his voice calm and thoughtful. “Maybe you don’t need him, Jace. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be curious. I get it if you don’t want to meet him. But Issy might feel differently, and that’s okay.”

Jace’s expression shifted, conflicted. He glanced at Issy, his twin, who had always been more empathetic, more forgiving.

She was still torn, struggling with the weight of everything that had happened.

“I don’t know what I feel,” Issy admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I don’t want to lose any of you because of this.”

Angela squeezed Issy’s hand reassuringly. “You won’t lose us. We’re family, no matter what.”

Sofia, her voice soft but steady, added, “You both have to make your own choices. If you decide you want to talk to Klaus, or if you don’t—that’s up to you. But don’t carry this guilt. It’s not on you, Issy.”

The room grew quiet again, the weight of the discussion lingering in the air. They were a family, complicated as it was, but they had each other. And that, for now, was enough.

Finally, Damon broke the silence, looking at his kids with a soft smile. “Whatever you decide, we’re with you. But I’ve got your backs, no matter what. Just remember that.”

Issy and Jace exchanged a look, the shared bond of their twinhood evident in that moment.

No matter what the future held, they knew they had each other, and the Salvatore family was strong.