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“Not at all. You and Kinsley are welcome anytime. You can help Isabella pack,” my mother said brightly.

Without another word, she closed the door, leaving me with Kinsley and Tori. The frustration bubbled inside me. Tori wasted no time. She walked over to my closet and pulled out a suitcase, setting it on the bed.

“We’ll have you packed in no time. Kins, dear, will you get some outfits together?”

She turned back to me. “Bras and such in this drawer?”

I huffed, still not on board with this whole trip.

“This doesn’t mean anything. I plan to spend the entire time in my room.”

“Well at least the view will be different,” Tori said.

Kinsley reappeared from my closet with her hands full. I rolled my eyes and plopped onto my bed. I was torn between anger and resignation. The girls continued to pack.

A pang of guilt hit for not being more cooperative. But a deep-seated resentment for not having a choice in this had my ass glued down. Tori folded some jean shorts and placed them into the suitcase carefully.

“This is so stupid. I’m not going to magically get better just because we’re at the beach house. In fact, I may have to use Kinsley’s blade and sink it into Sebastian’s heart if he comes near me.”

“You are still upset, I get it. He’s a man and said all the wrong things. Andy talked to him. I don’t think your brother understood the damage he’d done until afterward.”

Tori carefully folded another shirt before placing it into the suitcase. She let out a quiet sigh and then looked up at me.

“You should know, your brother was broken up bad that day, too. He cried in my arms.”

I looked at her like she’d grown an extra head. Bash cried? He never cried for anyone other than Vanya.

“We don’t expect magic, here. We’re a family, and this is a family trip. That’s why your mum is so adamant that you come with,” she added.

I wanted to tell her it was for more than that. She didn’t trust me alone. It was probably for the best. Kinsley kissed my cheek.

“Don’t worry, he is still on my shit list. Even more so now that Pasha is leav…” Kinsley said, and then abruptly stopped when Tori smacked her arm. “Ow.”

I didn’t respond, my throat tight with emotion. “Were you going to say ‘leaving’?”

Pasha was leaving? Where was he going? How could he leave?

Kinsley teared up, glancing at Tori. “I’m sorry. I know I promised to not bring it up, but I hate being sad by myself. This isn’t easy for me. I hate this.”

Tori sighed and turned to me, her expression one of cautious concern.

“He’s taking the Cirque du Soleil offer.”

The words hit like a tidal wave, crashing into me, knocking the air out of my lungs. The ground may as well have crumbled beneath me. I struggled to breathe, my mind racing with the implications.

“Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?” I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and despair.

Tori stepped closer, her eyes filled with empathy. “The last thing we wanted to do was overwhelm you. You’ve been through enough.”

I shook my head, trying to process the news. The ache in my heart intensified.

“I can’t believe it. When?” I whispered, looking at Kinsley.

She crumbled before my eyes.

“I tried to tell him not to go. I tried so hard, begged him even. I tried, Bellaruso,” Kinsley said between sobs.

“Oh lord, we don’t have time for this, young lady,” Tori chastised her as she continued packing. “Go get some more shirts.”