The silence at breakfast was heavy.
Noah sat at the table, scrolling his phone, completely unaware that the two people across from him had barely survived another explosion the night before.
Jace kept his eyes down.
Savannah didn't look at either of them.
Just as she stood to rinse her plate, Noah's voice cut the air.
"You two wanna tell me what the hell's going on?"
The plate slipped from Savannah's hand, clattering into the sink.
Jace went still.
Noah leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, face unreadable. But his jaw… it was tight. Controlled.
"I'm not stupid," Noah said. "I've seen the tension. Heard the fights. And last night?" He stared hard at Jace. "I came home early. Heard you two on the porch."
Savannah's stomach dropped.
"You were supposed to be at dinner," she said quietly.
"I was. Until I wasn't. And guess what I came home to? My sister saying she's not yours anymore."
Jace stood, slowly.
"Noah - "
"No," Noah snapped, standing now too. "You don't get to speak yet."
His voice shook. "You were supposed to be my brother. My best friend. And you thought screwing around with my sister behind my back was what?"
Jace stepped forward. "It wasn't like that."
"Then explain it."
Savannah tried to speak, but her throat was dry. Jace's voice came first.
"I've loved her for a long time," he said.
Noah blinked.
"I didn't act on it. Not for years. I fought it. But it never went away."
Savannah closed her eyes.
Jace kept going.
"That night… it wasn't just physical. I've wanted her in every way someone can want another person. But I didn't do this to hurt you."
"You did, though," Noah hissed.
"I know. And I'll carry that forever."
Savannah stepped forward, voice shaking. "Noah, I didn't plan this. I didn't mean for it to happen. But I love him."
That silence after?
It was brutal.
Noah looked between them - eyes red, jaw clenched, heart clearly breaking.
"I can't look at either of you right now," he said, backing up toward the hallway. "I need… space. Just - don't be here when I get back."
The front door slammed behind him a moment later.
And the house felt like it collapsed around them.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later That Night
Jace sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, hands buried in his hair.
Savannah sat across from him on the floor, knees hugged to her chest.
"He's never going to forgive me," Jace whispered.
"He might," she said. "But maybe not now. Maybe not soon."
Jace looked at her. "Do you regret it?"
"No." Her voice didn't waver. "I regret that it hurt him. But not you. Never you."
He exhaled slowly, the weight of the day pressing down on them both.
And just like that, the truth was out.
No more hiding.
Now all they had to do was survive it.