But when Kelsey was upset, he’d video call her, breaking things down bit by bit, staying with her until her emotions completely settled.
Before, without anything to compare to, I thought I was happy.
Now, I finally understood that the happiness I once felt so smug about was nothing more than stray sparks that spilled out unintentionally from Tucker’s overwhelming love for Kelsey.
Moments later, the car stopped in front of my house.
I wiped the tears off my face and got out.
But the moment I pushed the door open, I froze.
The living room was brightly lit. A delicate birthday cake sat in the center of the dining table.
My eldest and second brothers stood nearby, smiling as they gently teased Kelsey.
Their voices were relaxed and indulgent—a kind of warmth I hadn’t heard from them in months.
“To our family’s best little sister, happy birthday!”
“If only we’d become siblings with you earlier. Instead, we spent all these years doting on the murderer’s daughter. Damn, just thinking about it makes me sick.”
Verity’s POV
When my second brother said that, his voice was thick with hatred.
I stood frozen at the doorway, not daring to step inside.