Paying the Price

Chapter 74: The Final Chapter

AN: Okay, this is the last chapter! Which is so crazy to think about!

I couldn't write more full chapters, but I also didn't want to skip anyones POV so this is like three mini chapters in one with POVs from Oliver, Jenifer, and then finally Oakely.

Thank you so much for sticking around this long, and I hope you enjoy!

I love you! :)

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Oliver:

The hives had almost left June and Oakley completely, and I couldn't be more relieved. Whatever pain they had been battling was finally easing up, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they weren't scratching or red. I took it as a good sign.

We were... sort of safe.

The past 24 hours had been nothing short of chaotic. Between being captured, reunited, and trapped again, it felt like we'd lived a whole year in a single day. But right now, we had blankets, water, and time to talk. That was more than we had most of the time we were on the run.

I trusted Jasmine, for some reason. I didn't think she intended to hurt us. If she did, she probably would've done it already.

My siblings and I were okay. No one was hurt. And despite being locked up, we had been semi-well taken care of. Clean clothes. Warm meals. Time to rest.

Still, I couldn't let my guard down.

"What do you think is going to happen to us?" June asked. Her voice was quiet, cautious.

"Nothing bad is going to happen to you. That's for sure," Oakley said immediately. His voice was sharp and sure, and I knew he meant every word.

Oakley was our protector. Always had been. Even when he was scared, he stood between us and danger.

"She might let us go back home," Janae offered hopefully, her eyes flickering toward the door.

I missed home too, even with all the lies that had come with it. Our beds. Our rooms. Our kitchen. Even the weird creaking hallway near the staircase. It felt like another world now.

"She seems... I don't know," Janae said again, starting a sentence but not finishing.

"What do you mean, Jae?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. But her face. It just seems familiar. Like I could recognize it from somewhere."

That didn't make sense. We had never met Jasmine before. Not that we knew of.

The only way it could even be remotely possible was if we'd crossed paths while we were on the run. But I didn't remember that. Still...

"Something about her is definitely special," I agreed.

Oakley had gone quiet again. He was chewing on the inside of his cheek, staring at the ground like it held answers.

"She looks like Mom," he said suddenly.

I blinked. "What?"

"Her name starts with a 'J'. That might not be a coincidence."

A pause.

"You don't think—" I started.

"She's related to us?" Oakley finished. "At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised. Our parents have more secrets than I can keep track of. Feels like we learn a new one every other day."

He wasn't yelling, but I could hear the anger rising in his voice. And I didn't blame him.

A few weeks ago, I thought the only family I had were my parents and siblings. Then we found out about the twins, our secret cousins. And now... maybe Jasmine?