Page 143 of Brighter Together

“No.”

He stops. “Let go.”

“No.”

“Ella, he put his hands around your throat.”

“I don’t want you going after him.”

“He assaulted you.”

“I know what he did.” The words shake.

Tommy looks at me. “You need to call the police.”

Panic hits instantly. “No.”

“Why?”

“He’s my brother.”

“That does not give him the right to hurt you.”

“I can’t.”

“Ella—”

“I can’t.”

My voice cracks.

The thought of police makes everything inside me seize.

Dad calling.

Mum crying.

Lee raging.

Everyone telling me what I have done to the family.

Tommy sees something in my expression because his voice softens.

“Okay.”

I stare at him.

He takes a breath. “I’m not going to force you.”

Relief almost buckles my knees.

“But I need you to understand that this is not normal and it is not something you deserve because he happens to share your surname.”

My throat tightens.

I look away.

“Tell them today that they don't get the project,” I say shakily.