Page 152 of Brighter Together

“And you are to leave Ella alone.”

Lee’s father gives me a humourless smile.

“You don’t get to decide whether we speak to our own family.”

“No. Ella does.”

That is the point.

Not me.

Not them.

Her.

“If she chooses to speak to you, that is her decision. You do not turn up at her home and force your way into her life because you want something.”

Lee scoffs.

“You’ve known her five minutes.”

My anger flares again.

“I know enough to understand that she spent years making herself smaller to keep the two of you happy.”

His father’s expression hardens.

“You have no idea what she was like growing up.”

The words hit something raw.

Not because I believe him.

Because I can suddenly imagine Ella hearing them.

Every argument rewritten until she was the difficult one.

Every hurt turned into proof that she was selfish.

Every demand justified because family comes first.

I’m done listening.

I look at Nick.

“We’re leaving.”

“Excellent plan,” he nods.

I turn towards the door.

Behind me, Lee says, “Fuck you and your hotel.”

I stop.

For one second, I consider turning around.

Nick’s hand lands between my shoulder blades.