Minding Grace

24: Who's gonna be the first one to set it all on fire?

Harry sat on his bed, composing his weekly email to his family although he found it hard to concentrate, his mind beginning to wander to the final conversation he had had with James as they had walked back to the house together.

He had alluded to so much and it left Harry's head spinning.

"Try not to judge her if she reveals her secret.

I was able to stop her but if it had been myself in her place...

Well I doubt anyone would have been able to have stopped me.

It's just fortunate I was there.

For her anyway...

She still struggles with the guilt and the anger of what happened.

She still blames herself.

Just don't let it cloud your opinion of her..."

Even though James had opened up to him, he still felt more confused than ever. It was like he had revealed something so important yet Harry still had no clue, absolutely no idea what he was alluding to.

What could have transpired with Grace that was so terrible he would look at her differently?

He honestly had no idea.

One unfinished sentenced played on repeat in his head.

"Please don't let what she did to my bro-"

James had stopped short of revealing what Harry eventually thought to be at the heart of this family.

What kept them together, but also made them despise one another.

Sighing, he turned his attention back to his laptop and continued typing.

~~~~~~

James was busy changing into something a little more appropriate for lunch.

And by appropriate, that meant what his mother wouldn't bust his arse for wearing certain colours to their luncheon.

Yes, she really was that controlling.

He recalled what he had said to Harry during their final conversation that morning.

"I've been waiting for you to come along..."

For years, the lie that James and Grace had been forced to live was like a permanent blanket of darkness that hung over them, one that he felt would never be lifted.

The only shining light they had in all of this was their girls.

Their beautiful, precious girls.

The thought of harm coming to them...

He pushed down the feeling of guilt as he ran his hand through his hair, smoothing it even though it didn't need it.

It was already perfect.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror he let out a humourless chuckle.

Yes, he looked perfect on the outside.

Everything around him was perfect.

But sooner or later, the high price of living such a perfect façade was that eventually, it was bound to break.