Shattered

Chapter 31

I reached a point where I didn't know what to feel anymore.

Was I scared? Angry? Sad? Honestly, all of it, but so much more too. My emotions were just one huge jumbled mess, as was my life. To think that over a month ago I was in such a good place with myself, only to have the rug that is my life swept away from beneath me.

Although it would lessen over time, what happened between Lucas and I that day left a mark none of us would forget, especially not me. Sometimes I look back on this time of my life and remember how it took a month to entirely change the way I viewed the world for the rest of my life. In this time though, I was blinded by Chandler's concern and sweetness towards me, that I forgot about the side of Chandler I knew first.

Undeniably, he did a good job of cheering me up after Lucas revealed himself as a shitbag who messes with women for the sake of his entertainment. Chandler got us food and then we spent the rest of the day driving about New York. It was peaceful and calming, a break I truly needed from the chaotic events that seemed to take place every day.

But like all good things; they don't last.

Upon returning to the apartment, we were greeted by the ever so pleasant face of Roselyn, who took it upon herself to wait for us in the garage. From what I remembered of her last night, she wasn't exactly nice.

"Rose, what a great surprise to see you here." Chandler subtly squeezed my hand a bit tighter, like her presence made him tense, probably not noticing the reaction. "I told you I would visit before I left," she stated while pulling her deep red hair into a ponytail. It made me think about how misleading the term "red hair" can be. Technically, we both had red hair. In the photos I saw on Chandler's laptop, she was blonde, but now her hair was blood-red, whereas mine was ginger. Her hair reached a bit below her shoulder blades, brushing against her black coat as she tied it up.

"You did, but you never specified when you would visit or when you were leaving. And you also know I hate unannounced guests." With only a glance her way, Chandler continued walking as he talked to her, leading us to the elevator. Rose followed, coming into step beside me, her boots thumping on the concrete.

"I'm not a guest, I'm your sister, whom you should be a lot nicer to." She huffed, as if she thought it was truly unforgivable, crossing her arms. "Shouldn't you be nicer to him as well, then?" Rose turned to me, looking surprised that I spoke with such a monotone voice, let alone spoke at all. Honestly, I was in no mood for bullshit, and she seemed to have a lot of it.

"Twenty-two years with this fucker bullying you makes you want to give him the same hell. Besides, he's scared off most of my boyfriends, I figured I could do the same to him." Ha. Jokes on you, Rose, doesn't matter what you do, I'm stuck here.

"You haven't dated since high school, and they were all jackasses who were with you for the status and money. There was a new one every week, you can't lie and say they meant anything." As we all entered the elevator, Rose fake pouted, like she was offended, before she suddenly smirked and laughed. "You're right, I could hardly stand them, but you still did a lot of other shit."

We all kind of stood there awkwardly, me squishing myself between the wall and

Chandler, keeping distance from Rose. She glanced at us back and forth, the gears in her head clearly turning. She touched a manicured finger to her lips, tapping a few times. "I'm sensing some post-sex vibes here."

My breath hitched in my throat.

Huh? I wasn't aware these were "vibes" that could be sensed. Regardless, I felt myself stiffen, cheeks heating, like they hadn't done enough of, and a very obvious look crossing my face. If I didn't give it away, certainly Chandler's deep sigh and jaw tick would.