Silent Sins ✓ ( book 1) Editing in Progress

Chapter 13

"Amara, you're shaking my car with your damn legs. I will literally throw you on the streets right now."

"I need to leave town." I blurt out. I fucked up. Fucked up so bad.

He didn't even glance in my direction when we left, and he avoided eye contact throughout the whole lecture. For the last hour, it was like some had thrown a charged nuclear bomb in the room and I was patiently waiting for it to explode. But it never did.

Camila didn't make it easy on me either. She was convinced he hadn't even seen it and urged me to keep flashing it. I was beyond sanity by that point and so ready to run.

She pulls up before my house. "No, you're not."

She shuts off the engine and turns to me. "Listen, we have an entire week off for exam prep. Then, on Monday, you're going to face him like the badass you are."

I go to speak, but she wards me off with her pointer finger. "and you will not flinch or act fazed. If he robbed you from a perfect family, you can steal his darn ring, Amara. Two can play at this game, remember?"

"You know how absurd this all sounds right?" I dry my palms on my jeans. The ring scrapes against my leg, another painful reminder of what I've done.

"Go home, eat, piss, study and sleep till next week." Camila instructs.

I roll my eyes. She's helpful, always is. Note the sarcasm.

"Text me later."

"Yeah, yeah." I get out the car and shut the door behind me.

She pulls away and I face home in defeat. I don't want to be in the house, thinking about all that I've done. The sins I've committed. But I don't have the energy to go out.

The sweet smell of icing sugar dwindles up my nostrils and down my throat when I step through the door.

"Ethan." I make my way into the kitchen.

He's hunched over the counter like any other day, practising roses on cupcakes. "Hey." He calls outs, hands steady on a piping bag. He doesn't look up from his masterpiece.

"Shouldn't you be nursing a hangover?" I slink my jacket over a chair.

He finishes with a flick and glances up. "I should." He muses. "But my taste buds have turned sour for alcohol."

I cock my head, unsure if I'm hearing correctly. "Is that so?"

His hands grow tighter around the piping bag and it shakes with pressure. It's subtle, but my eyes are accustomed to small shifts. Pursing his lips, his eyes strain with focus as he hunches closer to his baked goods. There's something innocent about him in this moment. Something vulnerable and sad. I want to reach out and hug him, but this family has never been much for affection. We long for each other at a distance.

"Are you upset about mum?" My voice seems loud in the open air.

His eyes shoot up and he stands to his full height. I play awkwardly with my hands, head lowered to the ground with hesitation. I'm sure I should keep my mouth shut, but It's been over twenty-four hours. Shouldn't we be discussing her absence?

"Mum?" He swallows excessively.

Slumping onto a chair, I toss my bag beside me. "I know."

His eyes dart around until eventually he's able to face me again. It's almost comical to watch. "You- you know?" He's trying to act naïve, he's the worst liar out there.

I clear my throat "I- um. I saw her leave yesterday morning."

He remains quiet.

"She's leaving dad." I confirm all that I know, hoping he might say something.