12. Fractured Bonds

Cassian leaned against the headboard, watching Savannah with an unreadable expression. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, like an unspoken truth neither was ready to confront. He let out a slow breath before he finally spoke, his voice softer than she had ever heard before.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’m so sorry I left you there.”

Savannah’s fingers tensed around the hem of the oversized shirt she had borrowed from him to sleep in. She kept her gaze trained on the floor, her emotions warring inside her.

“I promise that won’t happen again.”

She exhaled, closing her eyes for a moment before shaking her head. “Why do you care so much?”

Cassian’s jaw tightened. He swallowed as if debating something, but instead of answering, he whispered, “Don’t ask me anything. Please.”

A lump formed in Savannah’s throat. His reluctance made her heart clench.

“Cassian, this is all a game to you, right?”

His brows furrowed. “What game?”

Savannah hesitated, then shook her head. “Nothing.”

The moment she stood up and ran her fingers through her tangled hair, she felt his gaze follow her every movement.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. It’s already quite late.”

“At least let me drop you.”

“No, it’s fine,” she muttered, forcing a small smile. “I’ll manage.” Her voice wavered, but she ignored the sting in her chest. “See you… uhh, tomorrow, I guess.”

And just like that, she walked away.

Cassian didn’t stop her.

She didn’t turn back.

The walk home was cold, the night air biting against her skin, but she welcomed the chill. It was better than the warmth Cassian had given her—warmth that felt too safe, too addictive.

She needed to stay away.

Luckily, her house wasn’t far from Cassian’s. As she approached the front door, she steeled herself, knowing what awaited inside.

The moment she stepped in, her brother’s voice rang out like a whip.

“Where have you been?”

Savannah let out a tired breath. “Nowhere.”

David scoffed, arms crossed. “Yeah, sure. You can say that to Dad when I tell him how you’re out here making people fight.”

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. “Look, David, I’m too tired right now. I can’t deal with you. Save it.”

“Tired from what?” he sneered. “Sleeping with that rich boy?”

The world around her blurred.

Before she even registered what she was doing, her feet carried her down the half-climbed staircase, her palm swinging before she could stop herself.

The sound of the slap echoed in the silent house.

David’s head snapped to the side, his cheek reddening.

“How dare you say that?” Her voice was sharp, laced with raw betrayal. “I hate to even call you my brother. I know you hate me, but is that the first thing you think of when you see me? Is that what I am to you?”

Her chest heaved, rage and hurt swirling violently inside her.

David blinked, his mouth parting slightly as if he was about to retaliate, but then his gaze dropped.

His eyes zeroed in on her wrists.

Savannah stilled as she followed his gaze.

The bruises.

Dark, angry marks wrapped around her skin like invisible shackles, remnants of Derek’s cruel grip from earlier that night.

David’s face darkened. “What’s this?” His voice was quieter now, tense. “Who did this to you?”

Savannah let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, so ‘now’ you care?”

“Savannah—”

“Fuck off, David.”

She turned on her heel, storming up the stairs, leaving him standing there, stunned.

For the first time, her brother had nothing to say.