"He's your brother, Gerard," she said, her voice soft but firm. "A real man should show kindness. Don't take out your anger on him."
That moment lit something inside me.
Margaux became my light in the middle of all that darkness.
Because of her, my years with the Davidsons had at least a sliver of dignity.
So I gave her everything I had—my youth, loyalty, and heart.
I folded a thousand paper cranes for her so she could give them to Archie.
I ran her errands by delivering Archie's medicine and breakfast.
I did everything for her just to make her happy.
I stood in the shadows like a coward, guarding my feelings as if they were shameful.
I knew where her heart was. She never once said she liked me.
But I don't regret a damn thing.
She was ready to live and die for Archie. And I was the one who stayed.
I was the one who held her when she was breaking apart, and I was the one who promised, "I'll never leave you. No matter what."
Then one day, she showed up at my door with a withered rose and that hollow look in her eyes.
"Marry me," she said.
I didn't even blink. I tossed aside my pride, my last shred of self-worth, everything.
Because I loved her.
But now?