Expelled and needing to transfer for his final year, Liam had known immediately where to go. It was the place that'd taken everything from him; that'd ruined him so absolutely it'd twisted his personality beyond recognition.
The place where he'd met...
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The antique door was thick enough to hurt his knuckles as he knocked, rapping with false confidence. His aunt's study left one tired from the stairs it took to reach, and Liam held down his slightly laboured breath when he heard a sigh from the other side. It knotted his stomach.
ㅤ"Come in," muffled through.
ㅤWith his chin up and shoulders straight, Liam entered, snicking the door to a silent close behind him. It hadn't changed since the last time he'd been berated in this enclosed space. Looming bookshelves and senile furniture, it smelt like old wood and paper, tinged with the sterile perfume of his aunt before him. She focused on her computer under the stone-framed window.
ㅤShe didn't look at him. "I would've thought you lot would've left already."
ㅤ"Nope. Still here." He fought the urge to fidget, knowing she hated it. "I wanted to talk to you about something before we left."
ㅤMargaret let the silence stretch without response, her fountain pen scratching on paper, as he waited uncertainly. His aunt was good at making others feel like that—to make them unsure what they were supposed to do, have them wonder whether she was waiting for them to supply more or wait patiently. It always felt as if he had to please her in some way.
ㅤHe hated it.
ㅤ"Well?" she said, finally. "Take a seat."
ㅤWith a stiff nod, he did so, unable to relax in the chair he sunk a little too much into. He'd taken the habit of perching on it, but it still tried to swallow him. Another moment passed, and she placed her pen down, perfectly parallel to the paper, before looking up.
ㅤ"What do you wish to discuss?"
ㅤHe adamantly maintained eye contact, drumming up confidence on his uncertain pulse. If he was to ask about his inheritance, he needed to do so now.
ㅤ"Why did no one tell me Theo was going to come?" It slipped from his lips before he knew what he was saying.
ㅤThe regret was immediate. Her gaze sharpened like the tips of her nails tapping into her desk like a counting metronome. "Is it not Theo's duty, as your mother's son, to be present?" she put. "He is your brother, and shares your duty to attend as well. I do not know why you think I must explain myself to you."
ㅤHis tempered exasperation took on a slightly breathless quality. "I ask because this is the first time he's gone to one of these things. Considering our... tricky relationship, I think I should've received a warning in advance. It would've reflected very poorly on you if this had caused a public scene, don't you think?"
ㅤHe winced.
ㅤShit.
ㅤ"Rowan." She smiled darkly, pricking the hairs on the back of his neck. "Did you just call me incompetent?"
