Chapter 93 Too Late to Hate
Avery rushed out of the room the moment Ravial told her to get out, but she paused at the doorway, turning back just once. Through the crack, she saw him pull Leitana into his arms, holding her fiercely tight. His expression was strong as stone, jaw locked, while her twin pressed even closer, small whimpers slipping from her lips, face flushed and swollen with tears. Even from where Avery stood, she could see the raw pain etched into her sister’s features, and it hit her like a fist to the chest.
Tears stung the backs of her own eyes. She looked away quickly, swallowing hard, then fled down the sprawling staircase, footsteps echoing in the grand, empty halls.
As she reached the bottom, tears already dripping freely down her cheeks, a few maids turned toward her, faces confused and worried.
“Ma’am, your dinner….” Maya began, stepping forward.
Avery didn’t slow. She shoved past, shoulder clipping Maya’s as she bolted through the massive double doors and out into the night.
“Ow, what’s wrong with her?” Maya muttered, rubbing her shoulder, stunned.
Rose moved to her side, staring after Avery’s retreating figure as she disappeared into the darkness. She shook her head slowly.
“I guess she’s finally learning about Leitana’s sickness,” Rose said quietly.
Maya’s eyes widened. “You’re telling me her own family didn’t know the missus is dying?”
“It seems so,” Rose replied, voice heavy. She turned away from the door and headed toward the kitchen.
Maya shook her head in disbelief. “What kind of family is the missus from?” she muttered, repulsed. She glanced back at the door, sighed deeply, then walked over and closed it softly, the latch clicking shut like a final, quiet seal.
Outside the villa, Avery ran, feet pounding the gravel path, tears blurring her vision until the world swam. The doctor’s words looped in her head like a curse, over and over and over.
Four to six months… episodes will become more frequent… reserves running low…
Her heart hammered so hard it hurt to breathe. She couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe herself. Guilt and disgust clawed up her throat, she’d been trying to destroy her sister’s marriage, guilt-tripping her sweet, kind, soft, innocent twin for being forced to marry Ravial… and then for actually falling in love with him.
All while Leitana was dying.
She felt like she was suffocating.
She needed to talk to someone. There was only one person.
“Matheo! Matheo!” she cried, voice raw as she reached the barn, screaming his name into the night.
Farmhands spilled out, confused and startled, eyes wide in the dim light. Avery’s gaze darted frantically through the sea of faces until she spotted him, tall, broad-shouldered, his deep Southern drawl cutting through the chaos the moment he saw her.
“Avery,” he called, voice wrapping around her like a warm blanket.
She ran straight to him. The workers parted instinctively. She crashed into his chest, arms wrapping around him as her body shook with violent sobs.
“She’s dying,” she choked out, voice muffled against his flannel shirt. “She’s dying, Matheo…”
He froze for half a moment, stunned, this cold, guarded girl who’d barely let him in was suddenly clinging to him like he was the only solid thing left in her world. Then his arms closed around her, strong and steady, one hand cradling the back of her head.
“Shhh, darlin’, calm down,” he whispered, rubbing soothing circles on her back. “Tell me. What happened?”
She pulled back just enough to look at him, face streaked and red. “Leitana… my sister… she’s dying. The doctor said… Lyran-Floros Syndrome or something… a few months left. She’s been sick this whole time and I—I’ve been so awful to her. Trying to ruin everything… and she’s dying!”
Matheo’s eyes widened, shock and sorrow flooding his features. He nodded once, firm. “Okay. Okay, darlin’. Let’s go.”
He kept one arm around her waist for support as she stumbled on shaking legs. His old Ford truck sat nearby, dusty from farm work. He opened the passenger door, helped her in, leaned over to buckle her seatbelt with gentle hands.
“Hold on,” he murmured, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
He jogged around, slid behind the wheel, and pulled out onto the dirt path leading toward the staff quarters, a small cluster of cabins on the far edge of the villa grounds.
Avery cried the whole way, heavy, wrenching sobs that shook her whole body. Matheo kept one hand on the wheel, the other reaching over to squeeze her knee, murmuring soft “It’s okay” and “I got you” until they reached his modest cabin.
He got out, circled around, and lifted her from the truck in one smooth motion—strong arms scooping her up bridal-style. She didn’t protest, just wrapped her arms around his neck, face buried in his shoulder as he carried her inside.
The cabin was simple, wood floors, a worn couch, a small kitchenette smelling of coffee and fresh hay. He set her down on the couch but didn’t let go; instead, he sat and pulled her onto his lap, cradling her against his chest like a child.
“Talk to me,” he said softly, his southern drawl thick with concern. “Tell me everything.”
Avery curled into him, her body still shaking, tears soaking his shirt. “It’s all my fault. Leroy… he was the love of my life. We were together for years, but my father… he’s a monster. Abused me, controlled everything. When he found out about Leroy, he… he killed him. Shot him right in front of me. Said if I didn’t do what he wanted, he’d go after Leroy’s family too.”
Matheo’s arms tightened, his face paling. “Jesus, Avery…”
“He kidnapped Mathew, Leroy’s brother and shot his leg. Crippled him. Told me if I didn’t break up Leitana and Ravial’s marriage, steal Ravial away—he’d finish the job on the rest of Leroy’s family. It’s all because of me Leroy’s dead. I caused it. And now… now Leitana’s dying, and I didn’t know. I was out there being cruel to her, trying to make her miserable, and she’s… she’s so innocent, Matheo. She has this light I don’t. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t hurt her. But if I stop, Leroy’s family…”
She broke down again, sobs wracking her frame.
Matheo held her closer, rocking her gently, his own eyes stinging. “Hey… hey, darlin’. Listen to me. You didn’t have a choice. Your father—he’s the evil one. He put you in a cage, twisted everything. You were protectin’ people you love. That ain’t on you. That’s on him.”
Avery shook her head against his chest. “But Leitana… she’s dying, and I made her life harder. I hate myself.”
“You stop that right now,” Matheo said firmly, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. “You didn’t know. And now you do. You can make it right. Be there for her. Love her like family should. And your father… we’ll figure that out. Together. You ain’t alone in this no more.”
She searched his face, tears slowing. “You… you mean that?”
He nodded, thumb wiping her cheek. “Every word. I got you, Avery. We’ll face it. All of it.”
She collapsed against him again, the fight draining out of her, replaced by exhausted relief. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel completely alone.
Matheo held her tight, staring at the wall, his mind racing with shock, her father’s evil, Leitana dying but his resolve hardening.
She didn’t have a choice before.
But now, with him… she did.