Page 89 of Through the Storm

Declan blinks. “You have what?”

“Royalties,” she repeats. “From my books.”

“Your books?” I ask slowly.

“I published a few.” She shrugs. “Under a pen name.”

I stare at her.

“Holy shit, Katy. The manuscript you read to me when you were sixteen?”

She nods. “I finished it. Then another. Then another.”

“You actually did it.” Awe floods through me. “Katy, you…”

“Yeah.” She smiles, almost shy. “I did.”

Declan scrubs a hand over his face. “So let me get this straight. You’ve been quietly building a writing career, and Ben was the only one who knew?”

Her mouth twists. “He’s always been the one I talk to about stuff...”

Declan exhales slowly. “I’m sorry I never noticed that. I had no idea.”

There’s a pause.

“And the book thing is actually… really impressive,” he says. “I’m proud of you.”

Katy closes her eyes like that alone is something she’s been carrying for years.

“I’m not nothing without the trust, without our parents,” she says. “That’s all I’m trying to say.”

Something in me tightens, shame and awe tangled together.

“Of course you’re not.” My voice softens. “But you have us too.”

She nods. But she doesn’t step closer.

And I know, even as I stand there wanting to pull her into my arms, that something has shifted in her.

Not away from me.

But into herself.

I find Katy curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, a blanket pulled around her shoulders. I sit beside her, one arm stretched around her shoulders on top of the blanket.

She breaks the silence first.

Her voice is soft. “I’m sorry.”

I frown immediately. “For what?”

“For today. For…” She gestures vaguely. “I’m such a mess, Ben.”

I turn fully toward her then. Really look at her.

“Katy.” I shake my head. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault.”

She exhales, tired. “I just feel like it’s a lot.”