Page 148 of Sunrise & Serenity

I tighten my grip on the reins.

The truth sits heavy in my chest. Underneath all my hurt and anger is the realization that he wasn’t wrong to feel blindsided. I was holding back. Waiting for a sign from him that he wanted me to stay before I was forced to decide for myself what I wanted. But I never let him in on that. I never told him how real this all feels.

Cozy flicks an ear back toward me, and with a shaky exhale, I stroke her neck.

“You’re not very good at emotional support, you know that?”

She ignores me completely.

Rude.

Despite myself, my mouth twitches. But the smile fades again as my thoughts drift back to Milan. Two months ago, the residency would’ve felt like winning. Now, every version of my future feels like losing something.

Shifting in the saddle, I inspect the mountains.

Maybe that’s what growing up is. Realizing there isn’t always a perfect choice.

The wind picks up, carrying the faintest scent of rain with it. So with a sigh, I turn Cozy back toward the ranch.

The house is too warm when I walk inside. And too loud.

Voices carry from the kitchen before I even reach the hallway. Not laughing. Sharp enough for unease to lodge in my throat.

Taryn appears around the corner, and one look at her face makes my pulse stumble. “What’s wrong?”

She hesitates, her eyes misty. “Holden’s leaving.”

A chill sweeps through me. “What?”

“He’s going back to the rodeo.” Her mouth trembles. “Some mentorship thing.”

The blood drains from my face.

No.

No, absolutely not.

She folds her arms, hugging herself. “Dad’s really upset.”

My heart cracks. I’ve never heard Harrison yell. Never seen him slam a door or lose his temper. In fact, over the last few weeks, I’ve watched him smile every time Holden showed up for dinner or worked alongside his brothers. As if having all his kids at home was everything he needed to be happy.

Hurt crashes through me so fast it almost steals my breath. Anger follows half a second later. Before I can think better of it, I’m heading toward the kitchen.

Conversation cuts off the second I step through the doorway. All the brothers are here, along with Harrison. Holden is standing near the end of the table, hat in hand, one hip braced against the counter. He looks up at the sound of my approach, and pain claws across my ribs.

He already looks halfway gone.

“You’re leaving?” I ask, my voice more brittle than I want it to be.

He pushes away from the counter. “Sage⁠—”

“When were you planning to tell me?”

The room goes quiet. Chance’s eyes flick sharply between us as Harrison drags his hand down his face.

“No.” I let out a sharp laugh. “Actually, don’t bother.”

“Sage,” Harrison says quietly, exhaustion threading heavily through his voice.