His room was right next to mine and Alvin’s, but his was at the very end of the hall, mine in the middle, and Alvin’s on the outermost side.
Because of the renovations, Alvin’s room was still in progress, with clear signs of unfinished work.
Philip stopped in his tracks, his gaze narrowing in suspicion.
I gave a half-smile. “Michelle had it renovated.”
I handed him his bag. “Philip, go ahead and settle in. I’ll tidy up a bit.”
He gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, and I walked back into my room.
The room was still full of our things-mine and Alvin’s. It was clear that no one had stayed here since I left.
It seemed Alvin hadn’te back even once. I wondered, ‘So where has he been staying these days? With Thea at Saltwater Spring?’
The thought made a heavy weight settle in my chest. Even though I’d managed to push Alvin out of my heart, the wound he left behind still needed time to heal.
I tried not to dwell on it, focusing instead on packing. I’d always been someone who preferred to declutter, so there wasn’t much to pack-just a suitcase that held everything I needed.
By the time I finished packing, I heard a knock at the door. I walked over and opened it. It was Philip.
He’d changed into a new outfit, and his eyes scanned the room. When theynded on the half-packed suitcase, his brow furrowed. “Are you moving out of the Dolton family?”
“Yeah,” I said, turning back to my things. “It’d be awkward if I stayed here any longer.”
Philip stepped inside, his eyesnding on the open wardrobe. Inside, Alvin’s clothes still hung there. He clenched his hand at
his side.
“You and Alvin were together for so long… to leave like this…” Philip spoke slowly. “Are you really sure about this?”
‘Sure?’ The word sounded strange.
I paused for a moment, then replied, “Philip, you know I’m someone who’s good at letting go.”
Philip didn’t say anything, and I continued packing. Once I finished, I zipped up the suitcase and reached to lift it off the bed. But as I was about to pick it up, Philip ced his hand on it.
I looked up, our eyes locking.
His gaze was clear and calm, like a stillke in spring-pure and without a trace of bitterness or cynicism.
It was different from Alvin’s coldness and far more gentle than Josh’s brooding intensity. His eyes made me feel light, like all my tangled thoughts had been swept away.
“Zoe, you said this was your home.” His voice was low and heavy, carrying a quiet, suffocating emotion.
I understood what he was trying to say. He didn’t want me to leave.
Philip, I said, gesturing toward the bed. “Do you really think I still belong here?” I nodded toward the pillows that had been left on the bed. “Do you expect me to sleep in the same bed as Alvin after everything that’s happened?”
Something shed in his eyes, too quick for me to catch. He slowly pulled his hand back, his voice low and thoughtful.
Then… will youe back to visit?”
“Of course.” I smiled.
But even as I said it, I knew I wouldn’t being back regrly. Maybe asionally, or perhaps never again.
After a breakup, pretending to be family or friends wasn’t something I could do. Whoever believed in that “we can still be friends” nonsense had clearly never been through a breakup like mine.
“Will you still consider me your brother?” Philip asked, his voice tinged with an almost painful sadness.
My heart squeezed at the question, but I managed a smile. “Of course. You’ll always be my brother.”
He paused, his gaze deepening, like he was searching for something in me. His voice was softer when he spoke next, “Then… can I hug you?”
I froze for a moment, not knowing how to respond. Before I could say anything, he pulled me into his arms.
His warm breath brushed my hair, and the heat of his embrace seeped into my skin, making my heart skip a beat. That closeness, that intimate pressure, made me shiver, and for a moment, I felt like I was losing myself in him.
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