Chapter 33 #2
“Scarlett, I would never hurt you. Never would I put you in a position to question your worth or how much you are loved. I am in love with you, Scarlett. I am in love with your ability to make everyone laugh and smile. I am in love with the way you curl your hair between your fingers when you’re nervous or the way you bite your lip when you're thinking about something, but don’t want anyone to know.
I love how fearless you have become and how strong you have grown.
You are a force, Scarlett. You think you are weak, but you are far from it.
You think you are not loved, but everyone I know loves you.
How could they not? You focus on the wrong love, baby.
You focus on the love that comes with conditions.
You deserve to be loved without stipulations, without regulations, just love, free of expectations and sacrifice.
You deserve to be loved in all the right ways, and I am so fucking sorry no one has loved you how you deserve.
” His eyes shot to mine in recognition. “Except Levi.” She gives him a small smile.
Honestly, he is giving me less and less of a reason to beat his face into the ground, so I let him continue.
“I’ll love you unselfishly, there will be no stipulations and regulations, there will never be fear of being unworthy or less than.
I will never ask you to sacrifice yourself for my gain, baby, be selfish with me.
” He walks over to her and holds her face so gently in his hands.
It makes me forget he betrayed me, because no other man has ever shown my sister this amount of tenderness, and I know Spencer is a good man.
What he's saying is true; she deserves all that and more.
“Scarlett, I am in love with you, and I will be for the rest of my life. Please let me show you how lovable you are. I promise I'll never hurt you, in no way, shape, or form. Unless I do something stupid with Levi, odds are it was his idea anyway. What I am saying is, forgive me, Scar. Forgiving me for being selfish, forgive me for making you think—” His chin quivers. “That I would ever, ever betray you, so much so that you went back on your promise.” I watch a tear fall from his eye, and he grabs both of her hands. “If you allow me to love you or not, you’ve got to stop this, baby. You can’t keep hurting yourself, and unless you want Levi sleeping on your floor and following every step, you have to get help.
Even if you tell me to go fuck myself, I will love you.
Even if you need space, I will love you endlessly and forever because that is what people who truly love someone does, without ulterior motives.
” She looks up at him now, crying herself, wraps her arms around his neck, and pulls him into her.
I clear my throat as the feelings try to soar out.
“I know you didn’t mean to hurt her tonight with Ashley, I know it was her.
I also know you didn’t intentionally betray my trust by falling in love with my sister, but fuck, it feels like a gut punch.
I know she is amazing, and it would be hard not to fall in love with her.
Out of everyone she could have chosen, I am glad it is you, Spencer.
I’m hurt that you both thought you couldn’t tell me, I’m pissed you didn’t tell me what she was doing, yet, I understand all the same.
” I take in a much-needed breath and sit on my sister's bed.
“What a fucking birthday.” Putting my head in my hands, I take a few breaths.
Scarlett walks over to me, holding out her hands. I grab them while her eyes beam into mine. “Levi, I need help, and I am sorry that it took this for me to want it.” I pull her onto the bed next to me and I hold her, like I'll never hold her again. I hug her as if I let go, I'll lose her.
I whimper in a jaded breath before my words come. “We will get you help. I promise you that. I'm going to fix this.” Spencer stands there watching us. I set Scarlett so she is sitting up, as I stand up. I start walking toward Spencer.
“Here’s the deal. You hurt her, and I will kill you.
You touch her in any way other than loving, and I will kill you.
You so much as look at her wrong, and I will knock you the fuck out, because she is all I have.
And if you ever–ever– keep a fucking secret as significant as that again, I will kill you.
Never, ever keep a secret if someone is self-harming, especially not my sister.
From now on, it’s the truth and only the fucking truth, because if not? ”
“You'll kill me.” I shake my head and pat his shoulder.
“Good thing you're a fast learner. Letty, if you love him back, you'd better pray he listens, because if he breaks any of those rules. I will not hesitate to break your heart, sis.”
Spencer stands tall. “I feel I need to clarify what was said earlier…I would like you to know I did not have sex with your sister, or anyone for that matter.” My face drops.
I put my finger up, shaking it in his face. “Another rule. NEVER say my sister and sex in the same sentence, ever again… also, that is actually surprising and does make me feel better.”
I’m hurt and confused. I’m broken because I feel like I have failed. Yet, I’m also oddly satisfied; the truth is out. I’m hopeful for a better tomorrow, and I will do everything in my power to help her heal from there.
She may always have those scars, but I'll be damned if she burns another.