Her first

Chapter 9 : Elijah

I stand at the trunk of my car furious.

"What did I do Eli"
"Don't act like you don't know the stupid Sh*t you did"

Richard looks to Emily with an apologetic look then back at me and heads I the house.

"I'll leave you to talk"

As Richard walks away Emily grabs my hand again.

"I said don't touch me"

Ahh, why did I have to let myself trust her like this.

"Eli, you're hurting me with this please tell me what did I do wrong"

I remove the picture of her on top of Matt clearly naked.

"This was sent to me while I was in Paris"
"Eli this isn't what it---"
"Shut up!, Shut up"

Letting my frustrations take control i raise my voice.

"Saying it isn't what it looks like won't make it better, this is you and you are clearly naked on top of him"
"Eli who sent you that picture--"

I throw the phone into a wall a screaming out.

"Do you think I give two damns about who sent the photo i saw you kiss him as he left you can't even be ashamed of yourself doing it right in front of my house"

I turn to walk away but she holds my crutch. Tears in my eyes I turn to look at her with an intense gaze making her let go.

"I don't care about this anymore you've hurt my feelings killed my trust now get out of here"
"But Eli listen--"
"Get out"

I turn around and slams the door I her face, heart broken and feeling upset I head to my room.

"Hey bro do you wanna talk"
"No thanks Richard I appreciate you for asking"

I enter my room and begin to tear up even more.

"Why Emily what did I ever do to deserve this"

The next few days are a struggle, I head out of my apartment always thinking of her, walking in always thinking of her everything I touch do is about her. She was always close to Lilly and speaking of the devil she walks right into my kitchen as I make my breakfast.

"Morning"
"Don't morning me"

She responds throwing her purse on the kitchen table.

"Okay, what's gotten you on your bad side?"
"You apparently, I've been talking to Emi and I have to ask what the heck is wrong with you?"

I look at her eyes wide open in surprise.

"What are you telling that to me for, didn't she tell you what she did"
"Yeah, everything"
"And you're still taking her side?" I ask her curiously wanting to hear her answer.

"Take a wild guess genius what do you think"
"Wha---, why"

It's obvious she tells me.

"She's bieng purposely set up"
"What do you mean"

She finally takes a seat and begins to explain to me.

"There's only one simple thing to this whole story that a simple genius like me couldn't miss, in mo way that could there have been a camera at that exact moment to take the photo of them being in that position unless"
"She was being set up"

I sit back in my chair to think. She puts a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Look Eli, relationship arguments are a test. To see if you're strong enough to overcome it that's what defines your true love"
"I messed up didn't I"

She smiles at me.

"Now's there's the big brother I know and love, you have messed up Eli but you messed up even more when you choose not to hear her out"
"I just wish I'd given her a chance"
"You still can"

I look up from my kitchen table and see Emily approaching my house. I get up and run towards the door waiting for her to come in. As soon as she enters we're locked eyes. I'm immediately in tears as I approach her kneeling down by her legs I put my arms around her waist. She holds my head.

"I am so sorry about the whole thing Emily I really am"
"I know Eli you were upset in that moment I didn't think my reaction would be any different from yours"

Later, I'm sitting on the chair, Emily in my arms and Lilly on the other chair.

"There's a connection here you two, that is why Matt apologized to you before he kissed you"
"I bet this was Sophie's idea"
"We never found out the secret she was hiding from you my love what was it"

I look at Emily then to Lilly who are both waiting for an answer.

"Well I never thought she'd do it but--".

My phone rings. I pick up to answer.

"Hello, wait what. I'm on my way"

I stand up and start heading for my car. Emily asks me

"What's the problem my love"
"Ciara's in the hospital"
"Oh my God"

Emily is still confused.

"Who's Ciara"
"Our eldest sister"

We rush to the hospital and find Ciara in a room bieng examined by a doctor

"I thought you quit"
"I did actually" she responds to me coughing

Then why didn't you come to me when you saw it was becoming worse"
"Eli what are you talking about what what's wrong with my sister"

I look at Lilly her face falls when she sees mine.

"Ciara has lung cancer"
"I'm so sorry Lilly"

Lilly looks upset read leaving her eyes.

"Doctor -- ?"
"Valentine"

"Treatment plan surgeries all that stuff I'll cover it"
"This is why I didn't want you to know Eli I don't want you to take charge of the finances"

"That isn't your decision anymore"

Lilly raises her voice.

"Woah Lilly"
"No Eli"

She pushes past me.

"Because of your selfishness you have let this cancer get worse, if it wasn't for your stupid enormous ego you would have been treated and operated on but noo you had to go and be a proud big sister who can't ask for money from her little brother just because she made one mistake of not begining her insurance plan early"

I hold back Lilly who seems like she's about to go full Supergirl on Ciara.

"Calm down Lilly hush"

I hug her.

"There are many options Pulmonary lobectomy, Wedge resection, Radiosurgery and Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery I need to run more tests and see the stage of the cancer so I can tell you what next for now try to rest Mss Johnson I'd advise against getting worked up because you're-"
"Tired I know"

I look at the doctor suspiciously walking out of the room

Eli you can't tell Mom or Grandma"

"That isn't your choice to make Ciara"

What could Ciara be already hiding
Will they find out the true master mind behind framing Emily