The Sun and the Moon

➸ Chapter Fifteen: Set Free

Allie

"Somebody needs to tell me what the hell is going on here." I look desperately at Will, Bree and Ian. None of them meet my eyes. I expected that from Bree and Ian but not from Will.

"You? Did you know about this?" I demand and Will starts to talk,

"I tried to tell you when you were about to-"

I hold up my hand and cut him off.

"I can't believe you would keep that from me...but you're not my biggest problem right now." I twist back to Bree and Ian. "You two are."

Ian has the dignity to look guilty and Bree almost looks happy. I study Ian and feel...nothing like I thought I would. Of course, there was my initial anger because he lied to me and, for all intents and purposes, he cheated on me. But I think both of us knew that this relationship wasn't going anywhere. Mostly, I just feel relieved because I honestly don't know if I would've married him or not. And that terrifies me. I would've married someone I really don't care for because I thought it would be best for my daughter. But wouldn't showing her that you can be happy on your own be better than exposing her to an unhealthy relationship?

"Will?" I call to him without removing my gaze from Bree and Ian. "Would you mind leaving us for a bit? I think we have some things to talk about."

"Absolutely," He sounds relieved like he thought he would have to witness the fight about to come.

Will closes the door and his footsteps retreat from the room. I wait until I can't hear him anymore to say,

"So, who wants to start?"

Ian and Bree glance at each other and I wonder how I never saw anything between them before. The way they looked at each other....well, there was only one person that I looked at like that and it wasn't Ian.

"I guess it started when we were kids," Bree starts hesitantly. "Ian and I met at school and we just...clicked."

Ian takes Bree's hand and smooths his fingers across her knuckles. I recognize the gesture from the few times he had done the same thing to me. My heart clenches, not from wishing that I could be Bree, but from wishing that Will could be here with me.

"So, we started dating." I stare at Bree and Ian in shock. It makes sense...but then, why didn't Bree tell me about it when I started dating Ian? What happened between them? "We kept it a secret from everyone because..."

She trails off and glances at Ian meaningfully. I look at them in confusion, feeling like I'm missing some piece of the story here. Ian hesitates for a moment, opening his mouth then closing it again. Finally, he speaks.

"We didn't tell anyone because of my mother," His face is pinched and I struggle to understand his words. Why did his mother disapprove of him dating Bree? "She wouldn't have wanted me to date Bree because she wanted me to date you."

This explanation is only serving to confuse me further.

"What are you talking about?" I ask as Bree squeezes Ian's hand.

"My mother wanted you and me to become involved because...my father's company went bankrupt and she thought your family could help us."

I stare at Ian in stunned silence as I process what he just told me. Ian's mother wanted me to date Ian so my family could fix their financial troubles.

"Why would you...why would you agree to do that?" I demand, watching as Ian's expression falls and Bree's face tightens with anger.

"It's just-it's hard to explain." Ian tries but Bree cuts in.