CHAPTER 23

(Julia's POV.)

Early in the morning, I get up. My college classes start at 8 am and go until 5:30 pm. Of course, there is a lunch break and some between classes.

I go downstairs and make coffee, my brother Blake comes down too.

I know, I hurt my brother, I hurt him and I ruined my relationship with him.

When my parents died, I felt lost. I was responsible for my brother and had no support.

When Arthur appeared, for the first time I felt like I had someone on my side. I got carried away by his words, drowned in lust, and didn't realize what I was doing to my brother.

Blake always wad very closed off and never told me he had an ex-girlfriend. I found out the hard way, in an orgy with Arthur.

When I finally realized the shit I'd done, it was too late.

I felt guilty, but I didn't have the strength to repair the damage I'd done, and I ended up putting those problems aside.

However, he recently changed, to be more precise, after he met Jay. Blake cut his hair, started exercising and regained his confidence.

Seeing my brother like this, I felt a little relieved. But the guilt still gripped me.

I might look like an idiot, but I realized that Arthur liked to harm Blake.

Even knowing this, why didn't I take action sooner? For fear of not having someone. Ever since my parents died, a need to have someone other than family has arisen in me.

A dependency complex. I need someone to depend on, someone to pay attention to, someone to make me forget about my difficulties. I'm like a parasite.

For a long time, Arthur was that person. But now I think I've found someone else. And that person is Jay.

You might think I'm crazy because I barely know him. But, I feel like he's the person I'm looking for.

Why do I think so? For the simple fact that he took my brother out of the abyss, something I never had the strength to do. Thanks to that, your existence grew in my heart.

He, too, is giving me the opportunity to make amends for my sins.

I don't know if it will be enough, but I will sever my relationship with Arthur. For my sake, and most of all for Blake's sake.

After breakfast, I went to college.

After a long day, I was heading home. Suddenly, I heard someone calling me from behind.

"Julia."

I knew that voice, it belonged to a blond boy with green eyes, it was Arthur.

"Oh, how lucky. I wanted to talk to you, Arthur."

"Do you want to talk to me?"

"Yes, let's go to a local café."

Arthur agreed and went with me. Upon arrival, we sat facing each other.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"About our relationship."

"I see. I haven't been paying much attention to you lately."

Looking at Arthur, I see a sick smile on his face. Seriously, he's handsome, but what was on my mind? Was I some kind of maiden in love? These blind maidens of love?

How could I let this guy into my house and fuck up my brother's life like that? Why did I let my brother's ex-girlfriend into my house? Why did I sleep with them while Blake was home?

As I remember these facts, I feel disgusted with myself. I'm just a heartless bitch who lets desires speak louder than anything else.

"Arthur, let's sever all our relationships."

"What?"

"Please stay away from me and away from my brother."

Arthur's eyes twitch.

"Julia, I don't understand. Why?"

"Do you think I haven't noticed? You don't like me, you just want to use me to harm my brother."

That idea had already crossed my mind. Arthur looking for me today confirmed my concerns.

My brother goes into depression and Arthur stops coming to my house to see me, my brother goes back to what he was before, Arthur comes after me.

How did I not notice this before? I really am an idiot.

"Julia, what makes you think like that?"

"..."

"Is it another man?"

"..."

"I'm right?"

I close my eyes, Jay's face comes to mind. He's a person I've only known for a short time, but I feel deep in my heart that he can take care of not only me, but my brother as well.

Honestly, I'm a little scared, I don't want to make the same mistake again. I intend to take it easy and get to know Jay better, if he's the man I think he is, I'll give myself to him.

As I said, I need someone to depend on, I'm a parasite.

"Listen Julia..."

"Arthur, I don't want to know. Just stay away from me and my brother."

After saying that, I got up.

"You'll never find anyone better than me."

Arthur's voice enters my ears before I leave the establishment.

When I get home, I find Blake and Jay in the garden. Blake was doing sit-ups and Jay was watching him.

I approach the two of them, Jay looks at me, making my heart race. Noticing my approach, Blake stops doing sit-ups and looks at me.

"Julia?"

"We can talk?"

"I think yes."

Blake looks at me confused but agrees. So we both went inside and left Jay in the garden.

In Blake's room, I begin my apology.

...

(POV Jay.)

Today was pretty normal. I woke up, went to school, spent my lunch break with Tiffany, and in the late afternoon came over to Blake's house.

Blake was worried about my fight for the king position on Saturday, I told him not to worry.

Upon arriving at his house, I told Blake to focus on strengthening his body. It's no use learning to fight and not having resistance.

Blake started to do the exercises, until suddenly, Julia arrived. When she saw me, her face turned red. I felt there was something different about her.

She didn't say anything to me, just called Blake over to talk. The two entered the house and left me alone.

After a long time, I decided to leave. Blake, that bastard, must have forgotten about me. What a beautiful friend I made.

Wednesday.

Break for lunch.

"What did you and your sister talk about yesterday?"

Today I decided to have lunch with Blake, I was curious to know their conversation.

"My sister apologized to me."

"That's surprising. And you accepted?"

"Yes. Despite everything she's done to me, she's still the only family I have."

As I thought, Blake has a good heart and doesn't hold a grudge against people.

"After she apologized we spent some time talking. It reminded me of old times."

Seeing the nostalgic smile on Blake's face, a problem arose. I planned to do something really mean to Julia, but now that Blake has forgiven her, what am I supposed to do?