My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 99: Goodbye Aaron

"You know..." Stephen began quietly, his thumb brushing slow circles against my hand. "Back then, I asked Pat about you. I wanted to know everything. But she wouldn't say a word. She was jealous... and scared we might end up together."

His lips curved faintly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"And here we are now," he finished softly. "Except that..."

His voice trailed off.

A cold sensation crawled up my spine. The air in the room suddenly felt heavier.

"Except what?" I whispered.

The look on his face terrified me. His jaw tightened. His eyes darkened with something that looked too much like grief.

"It's Patricia."

My heart skipped.

"What happened to her?" I asked, my voice barely holding together. No matter how much we fought... no matter how much she hurt me... she was still my sister.

Stephen swallowed.

"She's gone."

The words shattered something inside me.

I covered my mouth as a broken sound escaped my throat. Gone. Not angry. Not distant. Not plotting. Gone.

There were nights I wished she would disappear. Moments I said I hated her. But deep down... all I ever wanted was for her to love me. To choose me.

Maybe I pushed her away first. Maybe I started this war between us.

But can anyone truly change destiny?

Tears blurred my vision.

"What about Dad?" I managed.

"He's not okay," Stephen said gently. "He wants to be alone."

Before I could respond, the door creaked open.

Stephen and I both turned sharply.

Aaron.

Of all people.

He stood awkwardly in the doorway, hands shoved into his pockets, like a boy who wasn't sure if he was allowed inside.

"Am I... interrupting something?" he asked.

Stephen's body instantly tensed beside me. His fingers curled into fists.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he snapped.

"I came to see Sharon. That's all."

"Well, I don't agree."

Stephen stood, towering, protective, dangerous.

I reached for him quickly, wrapping my fingers around his wrist.

"Stephen, it's fine."

He looked down at me, searching my face. Hoping I would say no. Hoping he had permission to throw Aaron out.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Just a few minutes."

His jaw flexed.

"Fine. I'm doing this for Sharon. Nobody else."

He locked eyes with Aaron — a silent warning — before walking out and shutting the door.

Aaron hadn't even sat down when the door flew open again.

Stephen leaned against the frame, eyes cold and deliberate.

"One more thing," he said lazily. "No matter what you think you're doing... she's mine. Mine alone.."

A wicked smirk touched his lips before he winked at me and disappeared again.