I KNOW THE END

20

Act Two:Chapter 5, September 15th, 2023

THE PARKER RESIDENCE

GRACE

I never thought I'd come back here.

The house was just as I remembered—too big, too cold, filled with shadows that stretched long and sharp in the dim light. The walls still held the echoes of old fights, old scars carved into the floorboards and doorframes.

But it wasn't the same.

Because this time, I was here alone.

No Cleo, with her sharp tongue and fierce protectiveness.

No Matthew, with his steady presence and quiet strength.

No William, always trying to lighten the mood, to make us laugh even when everything was falling apart.

No Emma, my baby sister, whose hand used to cling to mine like I was her whole world.

No Lila, my best friend, who had been by my side through everything.

No Alexander, who had promised to keep me safe.

Just me and him.

I set my bag down at the foot of the stairs, my fingers clenching around the strap. My father stood a few feet away, watching me with an expression that didn't quite reach his eyes. He looked almost pleased, like he had won some invisible war.

"You made the right choice," he said, voice smooth, calculated. "I know your friends have poisoned your mind against me, but you'll see soon enough that they were wrong. You belong here, Grace."

My stomach twisted.

I wasn't sure what scared me more—the way he spoke, like he had planned this all along, or the fact that some small, desperate part of me wanted to believe him.

Because I was tired.

Tired of running, tired of fighting, tired of being the scared little girl that Lila and Alex always had to protect.

Maybe he was right. Maybe this was where I belonged.

I forced myself to nod, swallowing against the lump in my throat. "Yeah," I murmured. "I guess so."

His smile widened. "Good girl."

The words sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn't move as he turned and disappeared into his office.

I let out a shaky breath, staring at the spot where he had just been.

I had done this for them.

To keep them safe.

So why did it feel like I had just made the biggest mistake of my life?

⸻

THE SCHOOL HALLWAY

Two days later, I realized just how much I had lost.

I shouldn't have been surprised. I knew things would be different now. But I hadn't expected this.

I was walking to class when I saw them.

Alexander and Nora.

She was standing too close, her fingers curled around his arm as she laughed at something he said. And then—

She kissed him.

Right there, in the middle of the hallway, where everyone could see.

Where I could see.

My heart stopped.

I didn't even realize I had frozen in place until someone bumped into me, muttering an annoyed watch it before continuing down the hall.

I barely heard them.

I was too busy staring at Alexander—the boy who had promised I wouldn't have to face this alone—wrapped up in someone else's arms.

My vision blurred, a sick, hollow feeling settling in my chest.

I had left. I had sacrificed everything to protect the people I loved.

And Alex had already moved on.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let them fall.

I turned on my heel and walked away, my father's words from that first night echoing in my head.

"You belong here, Grace."

Maybe he had been right all along.

NOTE; I know this chapter is short but I have testing this week so I don't have much time

dianeversee•25