Chapter 19

"She literally tried to kill you, and you let her off the hook? Are you stupid or something?" Chloe asked furiously pacing my room like an angry cat, arms folded, her expression tight with frustration.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "I don't want any more issues with the family."

Chloe froze mid-step and turned to me, eyes wide with disbelief.

"I don't want more issues with the family," she mocked in a whiny voice, rolling her eyes. "God, you sound like an idiot."

I shot her a glare, but she wasn't done.

"She poisoned you, Astrid. Poisoned!! Do you get that? And you just let her go? What the hell is wrong with you?"

I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed, feeling drained. "What do you want me to do, Chloe? Have her locked up? That wouldn't solve anything. It would just make things worse."

Chloe threw her hands in the air. "Worse? How could things possibly get worse? The entire Caldwell family already hates you. Now, instead of fearing you, they think they can walk all over you. Congratulations."

I clenched my fists. "I don't care what they think."

"Then maybe you should start," Chloe shot back. "Because if you keep acting like this, they're going to bury you, Astrid. And I mean that literally."

She was angry. Livid. But underneath all of that, I could hear it—the fear in her voice.

She wasn't just mad. She was worried about me.

I didn't know what to say to that, so I stayed silent.

Chloe sighed, shaking her head. "Look, I love you, okay? But you need to start protecting yourself. Because if you don't…" Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Then she scoffed, muttered unbelievable, and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I sat there in silence, staring at the door.

Maybe she was right.

Maybe I was being an idiot.

I collapsed onto the bed, shutting my eyes, but a knock at the door pulled me back to reality.

"Come in," I murmured, exhaustion lacing my voice.

The door creaked open, and Cole stepped inside. The moment I saw him, I braced myself. Another lecture. Another argument. Another reminder of how stupid I was for letting Camille go.

"Thought you'd be hungry," he said.

I blinked. That was… unexpected. My gaze followed his movements as he approached, balancing a tray of food in his hands. Not a lecture. No scolding. Just food.

As he set the tray on the bed beside me, I hesitated before speaking. "So… you're not upset that I let Camille off the hook?"

Cole's jaw clenched slightly, his posture stiff, but his voice remained even. "You're the boss. Whatever you say goes."

I narrowed my eyes. "Try again. Honestly, this time."

He exhaled slowly, gaze locking onto mine. Honestly?" he repeated, then leaned slightly forward, his voice lower. "I think you showed mercy, and there's nothing wrong with that."

A small smile tugged at my lips.

"But," he added, his voice dropping slightly, "you showed mercy to the wrong people. Now they think you're weak."

The smile vanished. But before I could respond, something unexpected happened.

Cole chuckled. Actually 'chuckled'.

It was quiet, but it was real. A deep, amused sound that I'd never heard from him before, and for some reason, it made me smile again.

"You should eat," he said abruptly, pushing off the bed and heading toward the door.

I watched him, feeling an odd sense of comfort in his presence. He made me feel… safe. Like the weight of today wasn't entirely mine to bear. And as I saw him reach for the door, an unfamiliar panic stirred in my chest.

"You should stay."

The words left my lips before I could think them through.

Cole stilled, glancing back at me. His expression remained neutral, but I saw the flicker of hesitation.

"I'll be right outside if you need me," he said.

"But I…" I swallowed hard. "Want you to stay inside."

His gaze darkened slightly, something unreadable flashing in his eyes.

"Is that an order or a request?"

I hesitated, unsure of the answer myself. "A request."

He studied me for a long moment. I wasn't sure what I was hoping for. Maybe just not to be alone for once.

But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I think it's best I remain outside. You need space to recover."

And before I could argue, before I could figure out why I even wanted him to stay, he was gone.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, staring at the closed door.

Cole had laughed.

Not a smirk. Not a scoff. An actual laugh. And for some reason, that tiny moment of amusement between us had warmed something inside me.

I glanced down at the tray he'd brought.

A full meal—steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables, even a side of fresh fruit. It was thoughtful..

And it was probably his way of making sure I ate after everything that had happened today.

I sighed and picked up the fork.

As I took a bite, my mind drifted back to what he had said.

"They'll use it against you. Now they think you're weak."

Was he right?

No.

I wasn't weak.

I was just... tired.

Tired of fighting.. Tired of every little thing turning into a battle for control.

A dull, rhythmic thud pulled me from my thoughts. At first, I ignored it, assuming it was just the wind rattling something outside. But then it came again. And again. A steady. What was that?

I set my fork down, brows knitting together as I turned toward the window. The curtains swayed slightly from the breeze as I approached, peering out onto the balcony.

Someone was below, tossing small stones up at the glass.

I pushed the window open, the cool air rushing in. My confusion deepened when I saw him.

Tristan.

"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed, leaning out slightly.

He smirked, casually tossing another pebble in the air before catching it. "What? Isn't this how they do it in romance movies?"

I narrowed my eyes. "You realize this isn't Romeo and Juliet, right?"

Tristan chuckled. "Yeah, well, your overprotective guard dog wouldn't let me use the front door, so I had to improvise."

Of course, Cole wouldn't let him in. Not that I blamed him.

I folded my arms, unimpressed. "So you decided this was the best alternative?"

He flashed a boyish grin. "Seemed romantic in my head."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What do you want, Tristan?"

His smirk faded slightly, his expression growing more serious. "To talk."

I hesitated, gripping the window frame.

"Talk?"