章節 7: CHAPTER 7
Sitting in her room, staring at the walls that suddenly felt like they were closing in on her, the secrets weighed a ton. Her heart was sore from the fight that had gone down with Julian, and she was so alone. She was losing her grip on the few people who truly cared about her, and now it seemed even her family was slipping away.
She was yanked from her reverie by the sound of her mother's steps down the hallway. Skylar held her breath; maybe her mom would merely follow right on past her door. But instead, there was a light tap at her door, followed by her mother's soft voice.
"Skylar? May I come in?"
Skylar let out a deep sigh and pushed off from the bed, trying to force a calm she didn't quite feel. "Yes, come in."
Her mother entered the room, scanning Skylar's face with a concerned expression in her eyes. "I wanted to check on you. You haven't seemed yourself lately."
Skylar forced a weak smile, trying to hide the tempest that was brewing inside. "I'm okay, Mom. Just. tired."
But her mom had eyes like an eagle, and Skylar knew she didn't buy the facade one bit. "Skylar, I know you. There's something you're not telling me."
Skylar looked away, guilt washing over her. She hated lying to her mother, but the truth was far too dangerous to reveal. "Mom, really, I'm okay; I just have a lot on my mind."
Her mom's expression softened as she reached out and took Skylar's hand. "Whatever it is, you don't have to go through it by yourself. I'm here for you, no matter what."
Skylar swallowed hard, a lump welling up in her throat. A part of her wanted to dissolve into her mother's arms and tell her everything-let her in on the secrets that were tearing her apart. But the risk was too great. If she knew, her mother would be in danger too.
"I appreciate that," Skylar said softly, squeezing her mother's hand. "But really, it's nothing you need to worry about."
Her mother nodded, though her eyes held a sadness that made Skylar's chest ache. "Just remember, Skylar… there's no shame in asking for help. Sometimes we all need someone to lean on."
With one last squeeze of her hand, her mother was out of the room, leaving Skylar to sort through the ferment of emotions inside her. The conversation had left her feeling further alienated than ever; she couldn't see how in the future she would be able to share her troubles with her family without endangering them.
Later that evening, Skylar found herself wandering aimlessly through the garden at her side of the house, needing fresh air to clear her mind. She hadn't expected to run into anyone, but as she rounded a corner, she came face-to-face with Julian.
"Skylar," he said with a touch of surprise. "I didn't expect to see you out here."
Her heart was racing with the remembrance of their last conversation still raw, but before Skylar had time to think up an excuse to leave, Julian stepped closer, and those eyes that always seemed to see right through her searched hers.
"We need to talk," he concluded with finality, softer than before.
Skylar might have, but something in Julian's expression stayed her. There was a part of him so open, so fragile, that he hadn't revealed to her yet. She nodded reluctantly and followed him to a secluded bench beneath an ancient oak tree.
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between them. Finally, Julian broke the silence.
"Skylar, I know there's more going on than you're letting on," he said steadily. "And I know you don't trust me enough to tell me everything. But if there's even a chance I can help… I want you to know that I'm here."
Skylar looked down, her hands twisting in her lap. "Why, Julian? Why do you care so much?
He took a deep breath, as if collecting his own thoughts. "Because… I've been where you are. Not exactly, but… I know what it's like to feel trapped, to carry a weight so heavy it's like it'll crush you."
Skylar looked up at him, surprise shimmering in her eyes. Julian had always seemed so confident, so in command of himself. She would never have thought he might bear his own scars.
"I don't talk about it much," he added, his gaze drifting off. "But my family … they are not as perfect as they seem. I have been driven into positions I did not want, obliged to take on responsibilities that were never mine in the first place. I know what feeling powerless is.".
Skylar's heart softened as she listened, a new understanding of Julian beginning to take shape. She'd always seen him so confident, almost unbreakable. Now, though, she could see the cracks-the struggles he'd masked.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know."
Julian mustered a small sad smile. "It's not something I usually share. But I wanted you to know, because… I don't want you to feel alone, Skylar. Whatever you're going through, you don't have to bear it on your own."
Skylar's resolve began to crack. She had held her secrets in such a tight grip for so long, afraid of what would happen if people knew the truth. But with Julian, the words stirred something in her-a longing to let someone in, to share the weight that was slowly crushing her.
But even as the need to reach out to him grew so did the fear. She wouldn't be able to rid her mind of the threats Jasper had made, the danger in store for her. Could she really entrust Julian with something that was so dangerous?
"Julian… there are things I want to tell you. Things I've been holding back," she said, the quiver in her voice palpable. "But I'm scared. If you knew everything… you might get hurt. And I can't let that happen."
Julian leaned forward and set a hand on hers, very soft. "Skylar, you don't need to protect me, because you think I'm made of glass. Whatever it is, I can handle it.
She looked down at their entwined hands, her heart racing. For the first time in a very long time, she felt a glimmer of hope-a spark of connection that did not make her feel quite so alone. But before she could speak, before she could finally let him in, a voice so achingly familiar shattered the moment.
"Well, isn't this cozy?"
Skylar turned to find Jasper standing a few feet away, his face dark and inscrutable. The presence of him himself sent shivers down Skylar's spine, and instinctively, she pulled her hand away from Julian's.
Jasper's gaze danced fleetingly between them, an icy smile beginning to play on his lips. "I didn't realize you two were so… close."
Julian's jaw clenched as he rose to his feet, his posture tense. "What do you want, Jasper?"
Jasper's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a malicious satisfaction. "Just checking in on my dear friend Skylar. I wouldn't want her getting too… distracted."
Skylar's stomach twisted as Jasper continued to stare at her. She knew what he was suggesting, the unspoken threat in his words. He was reminding her how much control he had, what secrets he could ruin her with at any moment.
"Leave her alone, Jasper," Julian said, his voice low and dangerous. "She doesn't need you hovering over her like some kind of jailer."
But Jasper's face didn't change, even if his eyes flashed brilliant with irritation. "Oh, Julian, you really don't get it, do you? Skylar and I have… an understanding. Isn't that so, Skylar?"
Skylar's heart drummed wildly as her gaze moved from one man to the other, trapped and helpless. She saw the unspoken challenge in Jasper's eyes, daring her to refute his statement, threatening everything by refusing him.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We… have an understanding."
Julian's eyes clouded with pain; his face reflected his confusion. "Skylar, what are you talking about?"
She made a Herculean effort and met his gaze, her heart breaking at the expression in his eyes. "I… I just can't explain it, Julian. Just… trust me. Please."
Julian's face hardened, and he took a backward step; his face clouded with disappointment. "I don't know what hold he has over you, Skylar, but I thought. I thought you trusted me."
Skylar felt the prick of her tears at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to let Jasper see her cry. "I do trust you, Julian. But there are things you don't understand."
Jasper chuckled, enjoying the strained atmosphere hanging between them. "Well, I think that is enough bonding for one night. Skylar, it's time to go."
Skylar looked at Julian-an apology silent in her eyes-and finally rose awkwardly from her seat. She could see the hurt etched into his features, and it tore at her heart.
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