Chapter 30

Ivy, back then, continues...

"Tell me what's on your mind, Aidan," I urged him.

"Things are pretty messed up right now," he continued. "My dad...he...."

His words hung there, suspended in the space between us. I could sense the careful construction of his walls crumbling, revealing the raw and unguarded truth of his insecurities.

"I know, Aidan," I managed to say, my own voice barely above a whisper, not wanting to disturb the fragile quiet of our conversation.

"Nobody knows, Ivy. It's... hard, you know? To keep pretending everything's alright when it feels like everything's falling apart."

I nodded, even though I knew he couldn't see it. "I saw how he treated you," I said, wishing I could find the right words to soothe the turmoil he was expressing. "Those bruises on your face hurts me too. Can't you just leave?"

"I can't leave Ellie. She needs me," Aidan said grimly.