Confession

I look at Dom, and I can tell he's just as surprised to see me here as I am to see him.

His eyes widen slightly, his posture stiffening as our gazes lock. The room feels smaller, the air heavier.

My own breath catches in my throat when Dan speaks.

"Hello, Aunt Tay," He says, a polite smile on his face as he pulls the door open wider to let them in.

'Aunt Tay?'.

The words echo in my head, setting off an immediate unease in my stomach. My mind spins, frantically trying to piece things together.

A woman steps forward, her presence warm yet commanding. She's impeccably dressed, her short bob sleek and modern, her nails painted a bold red that matches the rich shade of her lips. Her eyes, observant and amused, scan me with a knowing smile.

"Hey, nephew," she says, tilting her head toward Dan before turning to me.

"And who is this lovely young lady?" Her smile widens, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

Before I can even gather my thoughts, Dan steps closer, slipping an arm around my waist. His grip is firm, possessive.

"Aunt Tay, meet Helen. Helen, meet Aunt Taylor—my mom's sister."

I blink, stunned. Dan and Dom are related?

My gaze darts between them, searching for resemblance, for some kind of clue I'd missed before. My thoughts race, but Aunt Tay's warm voice interrupts them.

"Welcome to the family, Helen," she says, Her tone kind yet carrying an undertone of something I can't quite decipher.

"Uh, thank you," I manage, my voice slightly uncertain.

"And where is your mother, My Sister?" Aunt Tay asks, glancing around.

"I think she's still on her way," Dan answers, then gestures at the elegant gift bags she's holding. "You brought all this for her?"

Aunt Tay beams with affection. "Of course! You know I like to spoil my sister, unlike you two." She gives Dan and Dom a teasing glare, wiggling her manicured fingers at them.

I can feel my heartbeat quicken as I glance at Dom. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes never leave me. There's something about his gaze, something almost… knowing.

'How is it possible that Dan and Dom have acted like strangers all this time? How could no one have suspected they were family?'

"Hello, Helen,".

Dom finally speaks, his voice rich and smooth, carrying a hint of amusement. "Happy Valentine's."

Aunt Tay looks between us, her brows raising slightly. "Oh? You two know each other?"

Dan answers immediately, his grip on my fingers tightening.

"Yeah, we go to the same school." His voice is casual, but I can sense the slight edge to it, like he doesn't want Dom speaking for himself.

Aunt Tay turns to me with curiosity. "Then I must know your parents."

I shift uncomfortably, offering a nervous smile. "The Edwards," I say, my voice softer than I intended.

Aunt Tay's expression changes instantly. Her lips part slightly, and for the first time since she walked in, she looks taken aback.

"Oh," she says, almost to herself. Then, placing a hand over her chest sympathetically, she adds, "I'm really sorry about the news of your brother."

My stomach twists, my jaw clenching.

'My brother? Who the hell is spreading this nonsense around town? My blood boils at the thought. That ghost of a child isn't my brother'.

Before I can respond, Dom steps forward, his deep voice cutting through my thoughts. "Helen, I didn't know I would meet you here."

There's something unreadable in his tone, something just beneath the surface. And then, out of nowhere, he holds out a bouquet of red roses—big, beautiful, and undeniably romantic.

I gasp softly, my eyes widening as I stare at the flowers.

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. My insides scream in a tangled mess of emotions.

Dan's voice snaps me out of it.

"Hel, I don't think you like those, right?" His voice is tight, almost hostile. "Those aren't your favorite flowers."

But they might not be. They are absolutely beautiful.

I feel a battle raging inside me, but before I can react, Aunt Tay intervenes, sensing the tension.

"Oh, come on, Dan," she says lightly.

"It's Valentine's! Every girl loves flowers, right, Helen?"

I give her a grateful smile, sensing that she's trying to defuse the situation.

Dom steps forward, closing the space between us as he extends the bouquet. His eyes, now close enough for me to see the intricate mixture of brown and black hold a depth I hadn't noticed before.

I lean in slightly, catching his scent. It's intoxicating, rich, yet clean. It's not just the flowers,

it's him.

As he steps back, Aunt Tay busies herself arranging the gifts in the living room, watching us with barely concealed curiosity. "I can see you two lovebirds are busy," she teases, her voice playful. "Tell your mom to call me when she's back from these her exquisite travels". Aunt Tay quickly chips in.

Dan wastes no time taking the flowers from my hands and setting them on the kitchen counter. "I'll see you out," he tells Aunt Tay and Dom.

As soon as they leave, I seize the opportunity to take in the scent of the roses again, feeling something I can't quite name.

But my moment is short-lived.

"You shouldn't have taken those flowers from Dom," Dan says as soon as he returns.

"I didn't want to be rude," I reply softly.

Dan exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm your man, Helen. Sometimes, you make me feel like I'm not.". His tone is tight, controlled, but I sense something else beneath it.

'Is he jealous?'.

The thought amuses me, and a small smile creeps onto my lips.

"You know no one comes close to you,". I whisper, reassuring him as I climb onto his lap and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

He softens slightly, but doesn't smile.

"I didn't know you and Dom were related," I say, shifting back onto the couch.

His expression darkens immediately.

"Yeah. Dad's always comparing me to him—always saying he wished Dom was his child instead.".

Dan's voice is raw, vulnerable in a way I've never heard before.

My heart clenches. "That's a terrible thing to say."

Dan nods but doesn't respond. Instead, he clenches his jaw. "Dom and I never got along. He's arrogant. He thinks he's better than everyone."

I nod slowly, processing his words. Maybe there's a side of Dom I haven't seen yet.

Dan turns to me, his gaze sharp.

"I see the way you two look at each other."

My breath catches. "What do you mean?"

"Is there something going on between you two?".

His voice rises slightly, frustration creeping in.

Fear prickles my spine. "No, there isn't, I swear. But…" My voice falters.

Dan's eyes narrow. "But what?"

I take a shaky breath. "That night when I saw you with Sabrina… I didn't know where to go. I started walking home. I wasn't thinking. I was hurt. And then…" My voice breaks.

Dan stares at me, his jaw tightening.

"I didn't hear a car honking. I didn't even realize I was in the middle of the road until Dom pulled up and got out of his car." I swallow hard. "I hugged him."

Dan's entire body tenses. Then, suddenly, he stands, slamming his fist into the wall. The sound makes me flinch, a small scream escaping my lips.

"You what?" His voice is sharp, nearly shaking with anger.

I shrink back slightly, my pulse pounding. "It was just a harmless hug. I swear!"

Dan paces the room, running his hands through his hair, breathing hard.

"I see what's happening. He's trying to get to me through you."

He sits down beside me, calmer now, his fingers gently intertwining with mine.

"Stay away from him, Helen. He's going to use you, He did it to me, he destroys everything he gets close to."

Tears prick my eyes, and I break down, sobbing into his chest. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Dan holds me, stroking my hair. "You know I'd never hurt you, right?"

I nod, my body trembling.

After a while, I excuse myself to the bathroom. When I return, my makeup refreshed, Dan meets me with a small smile.

"I trashed those flowers for you," he says, reaching for my hand.

I hesitate, but let him pull me close.

'Did I want those flowers? Yes.'

But maybe Dan needed this reassurance.

He tilts my chin up. "Promise me something?"

I nod. Waiting to hear what he has to say

"Don't let Dom get between us."

And in that moment, despite the lingering questions in my mind, I whisper, "I promise."

Dan brings my head forward to relax calmly on his wide chest, aa I watch him give me my drink to sip and feed me the popcorn.

"You should not allow him tutor you, talk to Mrs Edwina about it". I hear him say.

I look up at Dan looking confuse, I am on the verge of loosing my scholarship, I don't think Miss Edwina wants to hear any opinion from me right now'.

'But I did not voice this out'.