The tension was unbearable, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. I sat on the worn couch in my living room, staring at the flickering glow of the television, though I wasn’t really watching it. My mind was elsewhere, spinning with all the inconsistencies in the brothers’ stories.
Grayson’s evasiveness. Aiden’s outbursts. Asher’s charm that sometimes felt too perfectly timed. And Evelyn—her name lingered like a ghost, always present but never fully addressed. They were hiding something, and it was becoming harder to ignore.
I grabbed my journal from the coffee table and flipped to a blank page, pressing my pen to the paper.
Diary Entry: November 16th, 10:47 PM
I don’t know what’s real anymore. Every time I think I’m getting closer to the truth, something pulls me back.
The brothers—Grayson, Aiden, Asher—they’re so good at deflecting, at making me feel like I’m the crazy one for asking questions. But I’m not crazy. I know there’s more to the story, and I’m starting to think they’d do anything to keep it buried.
And then there’s Victor. I don’t trust him, but he knows things. He keeps dropping hints, like he wants me to doubt them. Maybe that’s his goal—to turn me against them. Or maybe he’s right.
How much of what I feel is real, and how much is manipulation?
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway snapped me out of my thoughts. My parents were still out, so it wasn’t them. I peeked through the curtain, and my stomach dropped.
Victor.
I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. He stood on the porch, looking completely at ease, like this wasn’t an invasion of my personal space.
“Victor,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “We need to talk.”
I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “I don’t think we have much to talk about.”
“On the contrary,” he said, his voice smooth as ever. “I think we have quite a lot to discuss. May I come in?”
I hesitated. Every instinct told me to say no, but I also knew he wouldn’t leave until he said what he came to say. Reluctantly, I stepped aside, letting him in.
Victor walked into the living room, his gaze sweeping over the space like he was sizing it up. “Cozy,” he remarked, his tone faintly condescending.
“Get to the point,” I said, crossing my arms again. “Why are you here?”
He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “I’m here to help you.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Help me? That’s funny, considering you’ve done nothing but make everything worse since you showed up.”
Victor smirked. “I see you’ve inherited some of Tessa’s fire. Good. You’ll need it if you’re going to survive.”
“Survive what?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. “You think they care about you? You think Grayson, Aiden, or Asher would risk everything for you?”
I stiffened, my heart pounding. “They’ve protected me—”
“They’ve used you,” Victor interrupted, his voice cold. “They care about protecting themselves. That’s all they’ve ever cared about.”
I shook my head, refusing to believe him. “You don’t know them like I do.”
“Don’t I?” he said, his tone mocking. “They’ve spent their entire lives cleaning up each other’s messes. You’re just another loose end for them to manage.”
His words cut deep, but I refused to let him see how much they affected me. “Why are you telling me this? What do you want?”
“I want you to open your eyes,” Victor said, his voice softer now. “You’re being dragged into a game you don’t understand, and it’s going to destroy you if you’re not careful.”
I took a step back, trying to create some space between us. “I don’t trust you.”
Victor chuckled, shaking his head. “You don’t have to trust me. But remember this—when things fall apart, and they will, you’ll realize I was the only one telling you the truth.”
Before I could respond, he turned and walked toward the door. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, glancing back at me. “Oh, and one more thing. Be careful who you trust, Lila. Especially the ones who seem too perfect.”