Chapter 9 

Kaden winced at the sound of shattering glass as he approached Phoebe’s hospital room 

at 

A nurse intercepted him in the hallway, looking frazhed “Mr. Hughey, dank God Your sisters been throwing things for the past hour, demanding to see you. We’ve tried everyting 

“I’ve got it from here,” Kaden reassured her, motioning for her to step aside. 

The scene inside was pure chaos. Shards of broken water glasses littered the floor alongside smashed plates and magazines torn to confetti. Phoebe sat amid the destruction, wild–eyed and pale, a pillow clutched in her white knuckled grip. 

“Get out!” she shrieked at a retreating orderly, “I don’t want any of you! Where’s my brother?” 

Kaden stepped over the debris. “Phoebe. That’s enough.” 

Her head snapped up at his voice. The rage in her eyes instantly morphed into wounded vulnerability–a transformation so practiced it was nearly seamless. 

The pillow dropped as she launched herself into his arms. “Kaden! I thought you’d abandoned me,” she sobbed against his chest. “You’ve never been this angry with me before!” 

Kaden’s arms hovered awkwardly before settling on her back with a hesitant pat. “Do you even understand what you did wrong?” His voice was surprisingly cold. 

Phoebe pulled back, defiance flashing across her tear–streaked face. “Wrong? I just needed to know who matters more to you. That’s all I wanted to find out!” 

Kaden fell silent, his thoughts unexpectedly drifting to Hannah–her unnervingly calm eyes as she’d told him to go to Phoebe, the quiet resignation in her voice. Something unsettled him about her complete lack of fight. 

His prolonged silence triggered Phoebe immediately. “You’ve changed!” she accused, her voice rising. “You used to say I was your priority without even thinking about it!” 

The accusation hit home. She was right–he would have automatically reassured her before. But now, Hannah’s face kept intruding into his thoughts, her absence creating a strange hollow feeling he couldn’t identify. 

6.0% 

Chapter 9 

He realized he was actually angry–not just at Phoebe’s dangerous stunt, but at Hannah for so easily pushing him away. For never seeming to care who he spent his time with. For acting like his choices meant nothing to her. 

But Phoebe was escalating again, her breathing becoming erratic as she worked herself toward another meltdown. Instinctively, he fell back on the pattern that had always worked. 

“Of course you matter most to me,” he soothed, the familiar words suddenly feeling strangely mechanical. “Listen, you’ve been saying I don’t spend enough time with you. So let’s fix that today’s all yours. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do.” 

Phoebe’s sobs cut off abruptly. “Seriously?” She looked up, suspicion giving way to excitement. 

“Yes,” Kaden nodded. “But you have to promise me something. Leave Hannah alone from now on.” 

Phoebe’s expression darkened instantly. “Hannah, Hannah, Hannah! Do you even remember who you’re supposed to love most?” 

Kaden’s hand faltered mid–gesture. He brushed her hair back, buying time. “I know. But we can’t be together like that. Isn’t this enough? Me taking care of you, being there for you…” 

The words “loving you” caught in his throat unexpectedly. He couldn’t quite bring himself to say 

them. 

Phoebe didn’t seem to notice his omission. She just pouted before launching enthusiastically into plans for their day together, as if she hadn’t nearly killed someone hours earlier. 

♡ (0) 

(0) 

6.4