Rhett’s grip on my hand tightened.“Never.You had nothing to do with any of it.This isn’t your fault.You don’t get to take this onyourself.”
The words were so much like the ones I’d said to him once upon a time when we both thought my family had the moral high ground.All that had beenshatterednow.
“But—”
“He made his choice.It wasn’t your fault, Ari.Noneofit.”
I tightened my hold on his hand.Absolving myself wasn’t so easy.“Ishould’ve—”
Rhett pressed a finger to my lips as his gaze turned serious.“If my father’s sins aren’t mine to bear, then your brother’s aren’tyours.”
His words echoed in my head.How could I disagree with him when he put it like that?His father’s actions didn’t reflect on the man Rhett was ...therefore the corollary should alsobetrue.
But sound logic couldn’t wipe away myguilt.
“I’m so sorry, Rhett.Yourdad...”
“He wouldn’t hold it against youeither.”
I wanted to disagree.Argue.Rage that he was wrong and I was to blame, but I couldn’t without Rhett taking on the blame for his father’s actions.I couldn’t let him do that.He had borne too much responsibility for things he didn’t do.Now it was time for him toletgo...
But I had no idea how I could.My brother’s betrayal was too fresh andtooraw.
“I have to tell youtherest.”
Rhett climbed into bed beside me and held me as I told him everything, never letting me go, even as I cried through the end of it.His strength held me together, and eventually, my tears ran dry and a head poked through thedoorway.
Carver.“I don’t want to interrupt, but I had to see for myself that youwereokay.”
Rhett’s expression darkened as he turned to look at the man.“You can report back to your boss that she’s going to be fine and no longer requires yourservices.”
His boss?Did he just fire Carver?I’d missed something here.Carver didn’t protest, onlynodded.
“It was a pleasure serving you, Ms.Sampson.I wish you a speedyrecovery.”
With that, he left the room, and I looked atRhett.
“I’ll tell you later.You needtorest.”
My eyes were already heavy, and Idriftedoff.
65
Rhett
“If my father’ssins aren’t mine to bear, then your brother’s aren’tyours.”
I replayed the words I’d said to Ari while she slept, but I wasn’t sure I believed them as they appliedtome.
Eventually, the nurses had kicked me out of Ari’s bed, but I refused to leave the room.I wasn’t letting her out of my sight for a longdamnedtime.
Her chest rose and fell with even breaths while I wondered,Where do we gofromhere?
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to let go of what my father had done.Likewise, Ari would carry her brother’s actions with herforlife.
It still shredded me to realize that two of the most important people in my life had betrayed me and everything I believed in.Heath had been closer to me than my brothers, and somehow I’d been completely oblivious to what was happening beneath the surface.I should have been a better friend, a better son, andmaybe...
There I wentagain.