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As she turned away to go, I took the chance to seize Aunt Mary in an unexpected embrace, momentarily startling her.
It was a moment bittersweet with the recognition of how profoundly I would miss her hugs, the soft and gentle words of encouragement, and the joie de vivre that eternally buoyed my spirits. Innumerable treasured memories flooded my mind, which I knew I would forever hold dear.
In her absence, I was petrified that I would return to my old ways, my dissolute era of recklessness and alcohol abuse. She was the singular force capable of quelling those urges, of compelling me to examine my actions with a critical eye. With her departure, I harbored the dread that I would forever be incapable of doing so again.
Aunt Mary was a second mother to me, and I will forever keep the cherished memories of her close to my heart. Now, all that remained was an oppressive loneliness and the specters of secrets that haunted me to my core.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Skye
Bonus Chapter.
"For how long have you been withholding this information from me?" I demanded, my fingers trembling with frustration. Well, it seems I'll have to redirect my question to my dear brother.
"It was the day before our mother made her marriage announcement!" Kenneth exclaimed.
"So you knew all along... and yet you saw fit not to inform me!"
"I wasn't entirely certain of my suspicions regarding the man Mom intended to marry. I needed to gather evidence and prove my theory first!" Kenneth explained.
"Please spare me the scientific jargon. At this moment, I am consumed with anger. Anger that you have continued to keep these secrets from me..."
"Why does it even matter to you, sister? These are insignificant matters that should not concern you," Kenneth retorted.
"Insignificant matters?!" I was taken aback by his dismissive words, my hands clutching the tattered fabric that restrained Kenneth to the chair. You see, my dear brother was seated before me, bound like some unfortunate creature, upon the very chair we no longer use in our home.
You may be curious about how I managed to accomplish all of this. Regrettably, I lack the ability to physically restrain my brother in a chair, nor do I possess the strength to do so. Nevertheless, true to my nature, I always find a way. The instant I unearthed the truth about the man my mother intended to marry, I knew I had to find an outlet for my fury. At first, I entertained the idea of obliterating all my books, but that felt excessively extreme. Those books served as my companions when everyone else in my life had forsaken me. And then Kenneth strode out of the room, and in that moment, he became the perfect target for my bottled-up rage.
When I attempted to approach him and inflict physical harm, he caught sight of me and opted to confess instead. He divulged the identity of the man my mother was planning to marry, along with the name of his company and other pertinent details. Though I hadn't solicited this information, it presented an opportunity for me to redirect my anger and frustration toward my brother.
Now, envision Kenneth bound in a chair. I compelled him to be there, utilizing my unorthodox methods that I am disinclined to reveal at this moment.
"Do you truly believe that my predicament is inconsequential?" I demanded, my frustration evident.
"I suppose not..." he replied, arching an eyebrow.
"Are you joking? Can't you see the immense chaos I am caught up in?"
"Absolutely not!" Kenneth asserted unequivocally, his jaw clenched in determination.
I couldn't contain my frustration any longer, and it poured out in a torrent of words, "Mom's marriage to Mr. Blackwood is going to make Dax and me step-siblings."
Kenneth mimicked me with a yawn, rolling his eyes dismissively. "Oh, that," he said, his tone tinged with mockery. "And who is this Dax, again?" he questioned, feigning ignorance.
Exasperated, I shot back, "Are you serious? You genuinely don't know who Dax and his family are?" It seemed incomprehensible to me that someone could be unaware of Dax, a renowned celebrity and a prominent figure in our school and city.
"Yes, I know his family, but not him..." Kenneth responded, his voice trailing off as if he couldn't be bothered to elaborate.
"How can you know the Blackwood family and yet not know Dax, the only son and heir to the Blackwood empire?" I demanded, incredulous at his lack of knowledge. But Kenneth remained unfazed, continuing to yawn at me with an air of indifference. It was clear that he didn't share my concern about the consequences of Mom's impending marriage to Mr. Blackwood.
"Do I need to remind you that I don't attend your school?" he reminded me, momentarily pausing as if trying to recall something. "But I think I do know him. Wasn't he the one you kissed? It was all over your school's gossip platform!" Kenneth said, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he attempted to tease me.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... now you know..." I muttered, rolling my eyes at his attempt at humor.
"So he's the guy you constantly talk about..." Kenneth surmised, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yes, it's him I talk about," I confirmed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
