Chapter 220
Lynette's POV
I stood in the doorway and the living room felt like it was closing in on me.
Mom's voice cracked. "Ethan, please. Just finish this year. One more year."
Ethan didn't turn around. His shoulders were rigid, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
"We can't afford one more year," he said, and his voice had that flat finality that meant he'd already made up his mind.
I watched him carefully. His jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping, and his back was ramrod straight like he was holding himself together by sheer force of will.
This wasn't some impulsive decision made in the heat of the moment. He'd been thinking about this for days, maybe weeks.
Dad sat on the couch with his head down and his hands clasped between his knees. He looked completely defeated, and I hated seeing him like that.
Mom turned to me with red, desperate eyes. "Lynette, say something. Tell him he's making a mistake."
I met her gaze, then looked at Ethan.
He finally turned around and looked at me, waiting to see what I'd say.
I could see it in his eyes—that stubborn determination I recognized from my own reflection. The look you get when you've decided to fight, when you've accepted the cost.
"You really thought this through?" I kept my voice neutral.
He nodded. "Yeah. I did."
"And you're sure?"
"I'm sure."
I studied him for another long moment, then nodded slowly.
Mom made a small wounded sound, like I'd betrayed her.
But I understood something she didn't. Everyone has their own battlefield, their own way of protecting what matters. Ethan had chosen his, and I wasn't going to take that away from him.
---
I didn't sleep much that night.
I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, listening to the house settle around me. Around two AM I heard footsteps in the hallway—Ethan's room. He was still awake too, probably running numbers in his head, figuring out where to apply and what jobs paid enough.
I turned over and closed my eyes. Tomorrow I'd figure out how to help. Tonight I'd let him have his decision.
---
Morning came too fast.
I was in the kitchen making eggs when I heard Elara's footsteps on the stairs. She came in with her backpack over one shoulder and her face carefully blank.
"Morning," she said quietly.
"Morning." I slid eggs onto a plate and pushed it toward her. "Eat."
She sat down and picked up her fork but didn't actually eat anything.
I poured myself coffee and watched her from the corner of my eye.
"Ethan left early," she said finally.
"I know."
"He didn't say goodbye."
I heard the hurt in her voice that she was trying to hide but couldn't quite manage.
"He's dealing with a lot right now," I said.
Elara nodded and pushed eggs around her plate without really looking at them.
I finished my coffee and rinsed the mug. "I'll drive you to school."
Her head snapped up. "You don't have to. I can walk."
"I know, but I'm going into town anyway. Might as well."
That was a lie—I had nowhere to be until training this afternoon—but I wasn't letting her walk alone. Not with everything else falling apart around us.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Thanks."
---
The drive was quiet at first.
I kept both hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road while Elara stared out the window with her fingers twisted in her lap.
We were halfway to school when she spoke.
"There's a sports festival. Day after tomorrow."
I glanced at her. "Yeah?"
"The opening ceremony has this swimming exhibition thing. Synchronized swimming." She paused, and I could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "My teacher asked me to join."
"You don't want to?" I asked.
She bit her lip. "I don't know. Before I would've said no automatically. But..."
"But?"
"But maybe I should try." She looked at me with something vulnerable in her eyes. "Is that stupid?"
I felt something warm spread through my chest—pride, maybe.
This was real growth. The old Elara would've refused instantly, would've hidden and stayed safe. This Elara was actually considering stepping into the light.
"It's not stupid," I said, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "Do it. I'll be in the stands cheering."
She smiled, small but genuine. "Really?"
"Really."
She relaxed back into her seat and some of the tension left her shoulders. I focused back on the road and made a mental note: day after tomorrow, sports festival, be there.
---
We pulled up to the school gates and I was about to tell Elara to have a good day when I saw them.
Blythe and Sophia, standing just inside the gate facing each other.
And they were fighting.
Not physically, but close enough that it looked like it might come to that.
Sophia's voice was shrill and loud enough to carry across the parking lot. "You can't just treat me like this! After everything I've done for you!"
Blythe reached for her arm but she yanked it away violently.
Students were stopping and staring, phones already coming out to record the drama.
I cut the engine and got out of the car.
Elara followed more slowly, watching them with wide eyes.
Sophia's face was blotchy and red with tears streaming down her cheeks. Blythe looked frustrated and embarrassed at the same time.
"Sophia, stop. Not here," he said.
"Why? Because you're ashamed of me now?" Her voice cracked. "You didn't care before when you were using me."
Oh. So that's what this was about.
Classic breakup drama with a public meltdown. I leaned against the car and crossed my arms, watching with detached interest.
Part of me was curious, but mostly I just felt cold about the whole thing. These were the people who'd tormented Elara, who'd made her life hell. Now they were tearing each other apart in front of everyone.
Karma had a dark sense of humor.
Sophia's eyes swept the growing crowd like she was looking for someone to blame, and they landed on Elara.
Her expression twisted into something ugly. "This is all your fault!"
She started toward us but Blythe grabbed her. "Sophia, no. Leave her alone."
"Let go of me!" She struggled against his grip. "That bitch stole you from me!"
I straightened up and stepped slightly in front of Elara—not obviously, just enough. My body language shifted into something predatory and dangerous.
Anyone with half a brain would've backed off.
But Sophia was too far gone, too hysterical to notice.
Blythe physically pulled her back. "Enough! This has nothing to do with Elara!"
Sophia froze and stared at him. "What?"
"You heard me." His voice was firm and final. "Our problems are between us. Stop dragging other people into it."
The crowd was getting bigger now with everyone watching and recording. This would be all over social media within the hour.
I glanced at Elara and was surprised to see that she wasn't cowering or shrinking back. She stood straight with her chin up.
When Sophia looked at her again, Elara spoke.
Her voice was calm and steady. "Sophia, whatever's happening between you and Blythe has nothing to do with me."
Sophia's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
"I never pursued him. Never wanted him." Elara's eyes were cold and clear. "If your boyfriend isn't loyal, that's between you two. Don't blame me for your relationship problems."
Damn.
I felt a surge of fierce pride wash over me.
That was my sister.
Sophia's face crumpled and fresh tears spilled over. Elara turned and walked through the gates without looking back.