Page 274 of Iced Up Love: Part Two

---

I nod.

But I don’t answer.

Because until I know what is happening with my brother, nothing about this is okay.

And for the first time tonight, I’m not in control of what happens next.

fifty-eight

Liana

The apartment feels too quiet.

Not peaceful.

Not calm.

Just… stretched thin, like everything that happened is still echoing through the walls, still sitting under the surface, waiting.

Jackson’s hand stays at the small of my back as we step inside, steady, grounding, guiding me forward like he doesn’t quite trust the world not to tilt again if he lets go.

“Go get changed, sweetheart,” he murmurs softly, brushing his lips against my temple. “Something comfortable, yeah?”

I nod, even though my body still feels like it hasn’t quite caught up to everything yet.

Zach’s hand lingers at mine for a second longer before letting go, his thumb brushing over my knuckles once, grounding me in that quiet way he always does.

Elijah doesn’t stop moving.

He’s already pacing.

Back and forth across the living room, phone in his hand, jaw tight, shoulders rigid, like there’s too much energy inside him and nowhere for it to go.

I feel it. That tension. It sits heavy in the room, pressing into my chest as I turn and walk toward the bedroom.

I need a second.

Just a second.

Something normal.

Something steady.

I peel the dress off slowly, carefully, the silk sliding down my skin, pooling at my feet as I stand there in the quiet. My fingers brush absently over my stomach, over the faint curve that still barely shows, but feels like everything.

Everything has changed.

Everything is changing.

I pull on something softer, something easy, one of Elijah’s shirts, the fabric loose and warm around me, and for a second I just stand there, breathing.

Then I reach for my phone.

Evelyn.

My fingers move quickly.

Are you okay?

---