Page 204 of Chasing Hope

Horror slices through my heart as my parents come into view. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m on my knees on the wooden floor of the cabin, my eyes filling with tears as my head shakes side to side.

My father’s face makes my stomach roll, the look of innocence and sadness he’s trying to betray pushing bile up my throat.

“It saddens both me and my wife that our daughter is claiming such lies. We’re heartbroken and deeply concerned for her mental health and wellbeing to say such things. We would never put our children in harm’s way.”

“Are you saying that Evie’s claims are?—”

“What the fuck.”

Matteo’s voice booms throughout the cabin, making me jump as I turn to him. Caleb, who trailed in behind Matteo, makes it across the room in two long powerful strides and turns off the TV.

The silence in the room is so deafening I swear I can hear all of our raging heartbeats.

Caleb’s shoulders are rising and falling in rapid succession, his fists clenched at his sides, trembling with the force of his restraint. As he slowly turns, the pure fury on his face steals my breath.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” he declares, his voice a deadly promise.

Matteo steps forward, placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing. His thumb brushes back and forth, that one touch grounding me tremendously as he says, “You’re not the only one who wants to.”

Caleb shakes his head. “No, I’m going to kill him. He—” All the anger seeps out of him as his eyes land on me. “He—” His words die on his tongue again, his bottom lip wobbling.

“Caleb,” Matteo says softly.

My brother’s teary eyes lift to Matteo. “I want to kill him,Valenti. I want to kill him.” He sucks in a deep stuttering breath and repeats on a broken sob, “I want to kill him.”

Before either of us can comfort him, he strides out of the cabin, the sound of the door slamming behind him closely followed by the sound of retching. Matteo goes to move but I snap my hand out, clasping his wrist. “Let me. I need to talk to him.”

He frowns, worry clear across his face. “Are you sure? You’ve had such heavy conversations already. It’s been so much, Dove. It’s beentoomuch.”

“He needs this,” I whisper.

“And what do you need?”

Swallowing thickly, I confess, “I need my life back.”

The war within him is evident. I watch a thousand thoughts pass behind his eyes before he seems to force himself to let go of me.

But before I can move, he kneels in front of me, holding my hands in his lap. “Don’t push yourself to the point where you’re lost forever, Dove. I couldn’t handle losing you. I know you can’t handle that pressure right now but I need you to know that I am here to help you carry everything. I am here to help you in whatever way you need. Whether that be hiring a lawyer, holding you as you break, hiding… Fuck, Dove, if you wake up tomorrow and are ready to go full force, I’ll pick up a blade and fight right beside you.” He squeezes my hands gently. “I will be whatever you need. Just say the word.”

Leaning forward, I lay a hand on his cheek and murmur, “I need you, Matteo. Just as you are.”

He turns his head into my palm and kisses me, his lips lingering before he takes a deep breath and lets go, craning his head to the door. “Go after our man.”

Ifind Caleb at the edge of the cabin property, pelting rocks into the abyss of the mountain’s forest.

A branch snaps beneath my foot, making Caleb turn. He heaves out a breath, clenching his fist around the other rocks in his hand. “I’m sorry I lost it in there. I’m trying not to, Evie. I’m really fucking trying my hardest to be strong for you right now but…”

“You’re angry,” I supply for him.

“Anger doesn’t begin to scratch the surface.”

Coming to stand beside my brother, I hold out my hand. His eyes flick from my open palm to my eyes before he gently places the rocks in my hold.

“You have every right to feel angry, Caleb. We all do. It’s a lot to process. You need to not be so hard on yourself.” I throw one of the rocks, a rush of endorphins filling my bloodstream with the movement.

Turning to my brother, I hand him back one of his rocks.

He opens his mouth, only to snap shut.