“Has your sister been living in Melbourne the whole time since leaving Kaden?”
Her eyebrows shoot up, clearly surprised by the fact I have this information. “What… umm… how…”
“It’s okay, Kaden told me everything.”
She lets out a heavy sigh, looking relieved that she no longer has to carry such a big secret. “Skylar told me everything too. It was a real shock. I mean, what are the odds that those two would cross paths again, but in a completely different city?”
“I was definitely surprised when I found out. I never would’ve guessed that the usually shy and reserved Skylar had started a whole new life on her own. That takes a lot of courage. I’m just relieved to know she’s happy and doing well.”
“Yeah,” Mila says, a small smile tugging at her lips. “She’s doing much better now than she was a few months ago. And it’s comforting to know that she’s already made some friends. I’ve always hated the fact that she was all alone over there. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Jase. She didn’t want to risk Kaden finding out, so she made us promise not to tell anyone.”
I wave her off, brushing aside her apology. “Nothing to be sorry for. I get it. I’d do the same if it were my sister. Kaden hasn’t exactly been in the right frame of mind lately. It was a smart move not saying anything that could get back to him. Not that I would’ve told him anyway.”
She stares blankly at the TV again, lost deep in her thoughts. Then, shaking her head, she huffs out a dry, humourless laugh. “Boy, don’t we Rivera sisters know how to pick ‘em.”
“Hey.” I reach out, gently sliding her towards me until she’s nestled against my side, my arm wrapped around her. “Don’t for a second think that any of the terrible things that happened were your fault. Men like them will never be worthy of women like youandyour sister. You don’t even realise how extraordinary you are, how incredibly fortunate anyone is to know you. You’re among the most beautiful and selfless souls I’ve ever met, Mila, and I’m endlessly grateful to have you in both my life and Jake’s.”
She looks at me with those warm, whisky-brown eyes, and I feel myself getting lost in their depths, as if mesmerised. “That’sthe sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me,” she says, her voice soft with emotion. “Thank you, Jason. Not just for your kind words, but for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve become the friend I never knew I needed, and I’ll always be grateful—for you, and for Jake.”
I lean down, pressing a soft kiss on her temple, and she snuggles in closer to me. If time could stand still, I’d want it to be right here, right now in this moment with Mila nestled comfortably and safely in my arms. The way she fits so perfectly against me makes it feel like she’s always belonged here—with me.
When we finally settle on a movie, some new release I’ve never even heard of but sit through anyway because it’s what Mila wants, we stay curled up together, neither of us eager to move or break apart.
After an hour and a half, she drifts to sleep in my arms, her soft breath warm against my chest. Careful not to wake her, I rise and carry her upstairs to the guest room, easing her beneath the covers and tucking her in gently.
I linger a moment longer, silently watching her sleep. Her body lies relaxed and still, yet I have never seen her look so beautiful, so utterly at peace—as if the wounds she endured only days agohaveleft no mark on her at all.
CHAPTER 26
Mila
The days blur into weeks, each slipping seamlessly into the next, until time itself seems to disappear around me.Before I realise it, an entire month and a half has passed since I moved into the Hawkins household.I’ve kept myself thoroughly occupied with house chores, uni, work, and some much-needed girl time with Sofia, all in an effort to reclaim a sense of normalcy. Yet it’s my current housemates who have truly helped me stay grounded—anchored in the here and now, especially when my thoughts spiral into a tangled, chaotic mess.
I know the road ahead is long and winding, and I’m prepared for it to get harder before it finally eases, but this house has offered me more than just a safe shelter—it’s given me hope, strength, and the courage to keep moving forward.
When the court hearing wrapped up a week ago, facing Dean again was far tougher than I’d imagined. He stood there flanked by his family, their blind loyalty painting him as the innocent victim, while I was made to look like a nobody out to ruin his life.He didn’t appear the least bit affected—just laughed and joked, deliberately ignoring me, as though I were invisible. If it hadn’t been for Jason and Sofia being there, offering their unwavering support, I probably would’ve walked out and called the whole damn thing off.
In the end, I was relieved when the restraining order was granted, even if it’s only for the next two years. Honestly, Iwould’ve preferred to see him rot in jail, but I know his family—they’d throw every dollar they have at the best lawyers in the country just to keep him out of a cell. Whatever. As far as I’m concerned, I never want to see or hear from Dean again.
I still don’t know if I’m fully ready to go back to my apartment. Part of me aches at the thought of leaving this safe little bubble—the comfort I’ve come to rely on for the past several weeks. But deep down, I know I can’t stay here forever. I can’t keep leaning on others to hold me up. I need to find my own footing again. And that’s why I plan to talk to Jason tonight. It’s time to tell him I’m moving back home.
Jake and I decided to surprise his dad with a homemade meal, preparing everything from the butter chicken and naan bread to mango pudding for dessert. I drove myself a little mad trying to get everything just right, but so far, it’s been an absolute hit—Jason’s already on his second serving.
“What have you guys done to me?” Jason whines playfully, rubbing his belly. “At this rate, I’ll have to spend the next five days in the gym just trying to work off all these calories!” “Or you can just sit on the toilet and poop it all out,” Jake says to his dad, stating it like it’s a fact.
I let out a snort, and Jason quickly shoots me a pointed look, making me laugh even louder.
“Thanks for the tip, mate,” he says, reaching over to ruffle Jake’s hair. “But I don’t like wasting good food,” he adds.
“Well, you know what I think?” I ask no one in particular, as I pop a spoonful of mango pudding in my mouth. “I actually dig the whole dad bod look.”
Now it’s Jason who lets out a snort, shaking his head as I flash him a playful wink.
These are the moments I live for—the small jokes, the easy laughter, the bursts of playfulness that flow so naturally betweenthe three of us. It feels so effortless, so right. Almost as if we’ve always been this way—a family.
“Moving on, what else have you two been up to today, besides feeding me until I’m fat and bloated?”
“We were on the computer looking for French bakeries to visit after Mila goes home next week,” Jake says with excitement, oblivious to the fact that he had just blurted out what I was planning to bring up with Jason tonight.
