The day he left

Flashback — The Day Jacob Left:

That day felt different… worse. The screams were louder, the hits sounded heavier, and the air was filled with this suffocating tension that made it hard to breathe. Dad was beating Jacob like usual, but this time… there was something crueler in the way he did it like he wanted to break him for good.

At first, I couldn't figure out why. I stayed frozen in my room, my whole body trembling, listening closely and then I heard it.

"What college, you little brat?!" Dad's voice boomed through the house. "You think you're good enough for college? You're nothing, Jacob! You'll never be enough! You're lucky you're even breathing under my roof!"

His words cut deeper than any punch. I sat there shaking, fists clenched, eyes full of tears because how could he say that? Jacob was the smartest person I knew top of his class, always doing his best even with everything against him. And dad? Dad couldn't stand it. He knew he'd never measure up to Jacob, so he did everything he could to pull him down, drag him through the dirt until he felt small… worthless.

I could hear Jacob's sobs from across the hallway and I wanted to move, to go to him but I couldn't. I was too scared.

A few minutes later, Chase burst into my room. His face was pale, eyes red, and he was crying hard. "It's my fault… It's all my fault… I'm so sorry," he kept repeating, but I couldn't understand what he meant. What had he done?

Chase's POV:

I couldn't speak. I couldn't even look at Sissel. All I could do was cry and God, did I deserve to cry? Probably not. Not after what I did.

But I still let it out the guilt, the regret, the fear. It was eating me alive.

"I found some money… in Jacob's box… the one he keeps under his bed." My voice was barely a whisper. "There was a note… It said for college… and it was a good amount." I stopped, swallowing hard, my throat burning.

"I don't know what came over me… I got jealous… I was angry. Why does he have everything? He's smart, good-looking… everyone likes him. And now, he's going to college while I… I can't even pass my exams. I just… I hated him for a second."

I finally dared to look at Sissel, but what I saw in her eyes made my stomach drop disappointment, betrayal.

"What did you do, Chase?" Her voice was cold… dead cold.

"I… I told Dad." The words barely made it out of me. And then — slap.

I didn't flinch. I didn't even try to dodge it. I deserved it. Hell, I deserved worse.

"Why would you do that?" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Don't you think it's unfair enough that Jacob is the only one getting beaten every single day? Doesn't it break your heart that he never got to be a normal kid? That his childhood, his teenage years were all just… survival?!"

I had no words because she was right. Every word she said was the truth. I was selfish. And now… I might've destroyed the only person who ever fought for us.

Sissel hit me again, then again… and then, she did the thing that broke me she pulled me into a hug. "I hate you… but you're my brother." Her voice cracked. "We're all we have."

And just like that… Jacob walked in.

The look on his face I'll never forget it. It was empty. Hollow. Like whatever was left inside him died the moment he heard us.

I opened my mouth to speak, to apologize but he just raised his hand, telling me to stop. His eyes lingered on Sissel a little longer before he finally spoke, voice so calm it sent shivers down my spine.

"Goodbye… dear family."

And just like that, he turned around and walked away. None of us moved. None of us followed. And maybe that… was our biggest mistake.

The next day, he was gone. No note. No message. Just… gone. He took whatever he could carry and disappeared.

Dad didn't care of course, he didn't. He ordered us not to look for him, said it was better this way. "One less mouth to feed." That's what he said.

And Mom? She was working when it all happened. When she came back, she just sighed. "Maybe it's better for him… Maybe he'll survive out there… because here… he was only getting on his father's nerves."

And that was it. That was the end of Jacob.

End of Flashback

Aidan's POV:

His sister?!

I stared at them, completely lost. How the hell was this even possible? How did none of us know about this? Sissel never talked about him… and Jacob? He never even mentioned having siblings.

Jay needs to know. He needs to hear this because this changes everything.

I looked at Sissel she was trembling, eyes brimming with tears. There was so much pain between them, so much history I couldn't even begin to understand. But I knew one thing whatever happened between them… it wasn't simple.

Jacob stood there, staring at her, face unreadable. Then, out of nowhere, he pulled her into a hug tight, desperate like he was scared she'd disappear if he let go.

And honestly? She looked like she needed it.