Chapter 36: Shared Burdens and Shattered Truths

Chapter 36: Shared Burdens and Shattered Truths
POV: Theo Sinclair

Ryan’s voice on the other end of the phone was sharp, cutting through the static of my thoughts.

“So, you’re actually talking to him?” he asked, the disbelief in his tone palpable.

“Yeah,” I said, leaning against the counter at Chapters & Brews. “I told him we could talk, but I don’t know if I trust him.”

“That’s because you shouldn’t,” Ryan shot back. “You know how he is, Theo. He lies, manipulates, and destroys. Why are you even giving him the time of day?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration bubbling under my skin. “Because maybe he’s trying to change. Maybe he actually regrets what he did.”

“Or maybe he’s just trying to get back in your good graces for some selfish reason,” Ryan countered. “People don’t change overnight, Theo. Especially not someone like Alex.”

“I know that,” I said, my voice rising slightly. “But he’s still my brother. And if there’s even a chance we can fix things, shouldn’t I at least try?”

Ryan let out a long sigh, his tone softening slightly. “I get it, man. He’s family. But don’t let that blind you. You don’t owe him anything after what he did to you.”

The words hit harder than I expected, leaving me momentarily speechless.

“I just… I need to know,” I said finally. “I need to hear him out.”

Ryan was quiet for a moment before replying, “Alright. But be careful, Theo. He’s good at saying what you want to hear.”

“I will,” I promised, though the knot in my chest didn’t ease.

“Call me if you need backup,” Ryan added, a faint hint of humor creeping into his voice.

“Thanks,” I said, managing a small smile. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

The conversation lingered in my mind as I locked up the café and started walking toward the library. The quiet streets and crisp night air should have been soothing, but my thoughts were anything but.

Alex’s text still sat unanswered on my phone, but it wasn’t his words that replayed in my mind—it was Ryan’s.

When I arrived at the library, the warm glow from the windows was a welcome sight. I stepped inside to find Evelyn sitting on the floor surrounded by books and papers, her curls framing her face as she scribbled in a notebook.

Her mismatched eyes lit up when she saw me, and for a moment, the tension in my chest eased.

“Hey,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “What brings you here?”

“Needed to get out of my head,” I admitted, sitting down beside her. “What about you? Shouldn’t you be home by now?”

She smiled, handing me a stack of papers. “I could say the same to you. Here—make yourself useful.”

We worked in comfortable silence for a while, the quiet punctuated by the occasional rustle of pages and the soft hum of the library’s heating system.

Finally, Evelyn broke the silence. “You’re distracted.”

“Yeah,” I admitted, leaning back against the shelves. “It’s… a lot.”

“Alex?” she guessed.

I nodded, hesitating before adding, “And Vanessa.”

Her brow furrowed. “What about her?”

“She texted me,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “Said my parents asked her to reach out.”

Evelyn’s expression darkened. “She really doesn’t know when to quit, does she?”

Before I could respond, the sharp click of approaching heels echoed through the library. I tensed as Vanessa appeared in the aisle, her smile sharp and predatory.

“Well, isn’t this cozy,” she said, her gaze flicking between me and Evelyn.

“What are you doing here, Vanessa?” I asked, standing.

She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I thought we should talk. Alone.”

“I’m not interested,” I said firmly, crossing my arms.

Her smile didn’t falter. “Oh, Theo. Always so stubborn but this isn’t the place for this conversation. Come with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, my voice cold.

Her expression hardened, and she stepped closer. “Fine. Then I’ll get to the point.”

“Your parents think you’re wasting your life,” she said, her voice cutting. “They’re embarrassed by this… charade of yours. Running a café? Hiding out in this nowhere town? It’s pathetic, Theo.”

“Watch it,” I warned, my voice low.

“Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t care what they think,” she said, her tone dripping with condescension. “You’ve spent your whole life trying to prove yourself to them. But you never will. You know why?”

My jaw tightened, but I didn’t respond.

“Because you’re not really one of them,” Vanessa said, her smile triumphant.

Her words hit like a punch, leaving me momentarily stunned. “What are you talking about?”

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Oh, Theo. You really don’t know, do you? Ask your parents. They’ve been keeping secrets from you your whole life.”

“Vanessa,” I said, my voice a warning. “If you’re lying—”

“I’m not,” she interrupted, her tone smug. “But don’t take my word for it. Go ahead and ask them yourself.”

She turned on her heel and walked out, leaving a suffocating silence in her wake.

Evelyn stepped closer, her hand brushing against mine. “Theo?” she asked softly.

“She’s lying,” I said, though my voice wavered.

“Maybe,” Evelyn said gently. “But if there’s even a chance she’s not, don’t you think you deserve to know the truth?”

Her words settled over me, grounding me in a way Vanessa’s couldn’t.

“Yeah,” I said finally. “I do.