Short and Sweet

Betrayal

I'm not known for my patience so I thought why not post this one too. This story I wrote when I was feeling down. It's still a work in progress.

I hope y'all enjoy it. Don't forget to vote and comment ;)

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Laney was crying again. Or wailing would be more accurate.

The headache brought on from hours of slaving away infront of a computer intensified as I unlocked the door to my apartment.

The sight that greeted me was heart breaking.

Rosalind stood between our ancient television and the beat-up sofa, slowly rocking Little Laney in her arms.

Her hair rest atop her head in a tangled bunch. Her cheeks were splochy and wet with tears. Dark bags lay under her bloodshot blue eyes. Put simply, she looked like a woman who hasn't slept in days. She probably hasn't slept in days.

The exhaustion from working since eight this morning drained away. In its place came a feeling of protection. The tears in my heart expanded. It breaks my heart to see my sister in this state.

I've always been her hero, but right then, I couldn't feel more like a failure. I made a promise to keep her safe and I couldn't keep it.

Pushing my thoughts away, I hurried inside, pushing the door closed gently as I set my worn out messenger bag against the wall beside the door.

It was clear that Rosie hadn't seen or heard me come home because she flinched when I touched her shoulder to slowly turn her towards me.

When she saw me, she sobbed. The fissures in my heart brcsme bigger than it already was and made my chest hurt. Overwhelmed with guilt, I wrapped my arms around Rosie withthe baby still cradled in her arms between us.

Rosie rest her head on my shoulder and wept silently. She didn't have to tell me how tired she was. The bundle in her arms wiggled and kicked her impossibly tiny feet against my arm. Her wailing quieted down to sniffles and short cries.

I took a deep breath, breathing the both of them in, borrowing from their strength. I pulled away slightly, and said softly, "Rosie, I'll take her. Go and get some sleep, you look exhausted."

She lifted her head and sighed heavily, her voice cracked as she said, "No, Ryan, you just came home from a long day at work. Besides, she's my - "

"Stop," I said in a low tone. I touched her shoulder and squeezed it lightly as a gesture of solidarity. "Let me do this for you." So that she understood I really meant it, I added, "Please."

She looked down at Laney and then glanced back up. She must have seen that I wasn't going to let up until she gave in because she lifted the still snivelling baby in her arms and handed her gently over to me.

"I'll go lay down for about two hours. Regenerate." She gave me a watery smile and walked towards the passage on the left side of the sitting area that leads to her room.

She stopped at the entrance of the passage turning to face me. Her red rimmed blue eyes which were identical to my own shone with gratitude.

Guilt burned a hole in my chest making it a mission to get air into my lungs. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but she already turned back.

I watched her walk away from me, hoping to God she wouldn't do the same thing when she finds out the truth. When she finds out that I was responsible for destroying her life.

I sat down gingerly on the sofa, careful not to disturb the baby in my arms. She looked at me and blinked with those wide teddy bear eyes the same shade as her father's.

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I'm not really creative when it comes to titles. You can leave title suggestions in the comment section and I'll choose the best suited one :)

Have a good day and thanks for reading.

XOXO