CHAPTER 51: UNWIND

Unedited

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I blinked, feigning innocence. "Who? Oh—just a friend. Nothing major."

"But you called her ’Mum.’"

My heart leapt into my throat, but I forced a nervous giggle. "Oh, this?" I picked up my phone and flashed the now-blank screen. "My school mum. A senior two years ahead of me—she calls me her ’daughter.’"

"Two years?" Mum wasn’t entirely buying it.

"Yeah, that was when I just got into the school. She was pretty cool and helpful. We were just catching up about school, my birthday party... and then, well, the whole mess with Spring came up."

Her expression softened immediately. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug. "You don’t have to worry, sweetheart. I won’t let that girl bully you anymore."

I closed my eyes and melted into her arms, a perfect picture of the victim.

"Thank you, Mummy," I whispered. But inside, I was already plotting the next move.

"So..." she pulled away from the hug. "How are you looking forward to the trip with the family?" Mum asked, a little excitedly.

"I huh..."

"Don’t be shy. I heard from the driver that he had taken you to your brother’s."

"Yes, mum." I nodded and looked at my fingers fiddling with the hem of my shirt.

"Baby." I glanced up at her. "You don’t have to be this way, you know. I love and adore you. Tell me, how was seeing your brothers again?"

I shrugged. "Yesterday wasn’t much. I wasn’t invited into the house. Spring opened the door for me. She didn’t like seeing me there but as soon as I saw Eryx and Rhys, I rushed in to hug them both."

I put on my best performance as I stared at her cutely. "Mum, I missed them so much. I missed Rhys, Eryx and big bro Kaius. I... I feel like my coming into this family put a big dent on our relationship. Now... now my brothers don’t want anything to do with me since Spring started..."

I sniffled and wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Mum shushed me softly. "Don’t cry."

"I... I feel like my coming into this family put a big dent in our relationship," I whispered, voice wavering just enough to sound raw. "Now... now my brothers don’t want anything to do with me since Spring started getting all this attention."

Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I didn’t even wipe the second one away.

I wanted her to see it. I needed her to.

Mum’s arms wrapped around me again, tighter this time.

She stroked my hair with a tenderness that was both comforting and pathetic. "Shhh... don’t cry, baby. It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault."

I buried my face in her shoulder, smothering the smile that threatened to escape.

"But they don’t talk to me the same anymore," I murmured. "Eryx barely looked at me. Rhys wouldn’t meet my eye. And Kaius... he didn’t even come to the door."

Mum’s voice went a touch icy.

"They’ve changed. All of them. That girl—Spring—she’s put a wedge between you and your brothers. But I won’t allow it."

She pulled back to cup my cheeks, her thumbs gently brushing away my fake tears.

"You’re my daughter. My precious girl. You have endured so much. And I’m going to rebuild this family if it’s the last thing I do."

I looked up at her, sniffing delicately.

"What if... what if I stayed with Rhys for a while? Just for the school week. I could get closer to him again. Maybe even bond with Spring a little. If she saw we weren’t enemies, maybe the tension would go away. Maybe... they’d love me again."

Mum paused for a moment, studying me. I didn’t blink. I needed her to believe it was a fragile suggestion, not a calculated step.

Her hand moved to my hair, gently combing through it with her fingers as she nodded slowly.

"That’s... actually not a bad idea. If it means mending things between you and your brothers, I’ll speak with Rhys about it."

I smiled faintly, eyes lowered. "I just want to be part of the family again."

She leaned in and kissed my forehead. "You are, Rose. And I’ll make sure they remember that. I’ll make sure they see the wonderful girl you are—not the twisted version Spring paints."

"Thanks, Mum." My voice was soft, grateful. But in my chest, my heart thrummed with something else entirely.

Because if everything went as planned... Living under the same roof with Spring would be the perfect opportunity to destroy her from the inside out.

"Thanks, mum."

"Anything for my lovely rose."

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~Spring’s POV~

The final bell rang like the sweet chime of temporary freedom.

I stepped out of class with Tyrion already waiting for me at the edge of the hallway, leaning against the railing like he owned the place.

His arms were crossed, his hair was ruffled slightly by the breeze, and that usual lazy smirk rested on his lips.

I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at mine.

"I’m ready," I told him.

He raised a brow. "Sure? Last chance to ditch me and run off to Chemistry club or something nerdy."

I laughed. "Very sure."

As we walked out of the school building, I pulled out my phone and dialed Rhys. He picked up after the first ring.

"Hey," he said. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah. Good evening. Just calling to let you know I’m spending some time with Tyrion after school. He’ll drop me off at home later."

There was a pause before he spoke. "Got it. Be careful. And tell Tyrion I’ll come after him if anything happens."

I chuckled. "Noted, and nothing bad would happen. I trust Tyrion."

"I know you do, little sis. Love you. Pecks on the forehead."

"Received with thanks, Rhys."

We hung up, and just as I tucked the phone away, a notification pinged.

I took my phone out to check the caller.

Eryx: Hey, what time would you get back? Tech class, remember?

Oh. Crap.

I quickly typed back.

Me: I’m sorry, I have something to do with Tyrion. Rain check?

A second later, a single sad emoji appeared.

Then another message: I’ll see you on the weekend for the family trip thing. I’ll come over.

That made me smile.

Sure. I’ll save you some cake by the time you come. I typed, then slipped the phone back in my pocket.

I didn’t notice Tyrion had been watching me until he casually reached out and took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It was strange how comfortable it felt. His warmth seeped into my skin.

"Ready for your first ride?" he asked, pulling me gently toward the courtyard.

"Definitely."

As we stepped outside, the late afternoon sun had painted the sky in soft gold and coral streaks.

The courtyard buzzed lightly with students heading off, but my attention was snagged by two familiar silhouettes near the school gate.

Jace and Kael.

They stood side by side, Jace with his usual easy charm, Kael with that unreadable gaze of his. Both of them looked in our direction, and for the briefest moment, I caught it.

That flicker of something like jealousy?

It wasn’t loud or bitter, but it was there lingering in Kael’s clenched jaw and the way Jace’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. I lifted a hand and waved to them, keeping it casual.

"See you guys!" I called.

Kael gave a small nod. Jace raised his hand, but he didn’t say anything.

Tyrion tugged gently at my hand. "Ignore them. Let’s go."

We walked across the pavement toward where his bike sat—sleek, jet black, and with chrome shining like polished steel. It looked expensive. And dangerous. Like something that fits him perfectly.

He stopped beside it and turned to me, holding out a hand again. "My lady."

I arched a brow, smirking. "You’re so dramatic."

He didn’t argue.

I placed my hand in his, letting him guide me to the bike. He helped me up like a gentleman and then handed me a helmet. I pulled it over my head and adjusted the strap.

"Hold on tight," Tyrion said, strapping on his own.

"Try not to kill us," I muttered.

"Where’s the fun in that?"

The engine roared to life beneath us, vibrating with raw power. And the second his foot hit the accelerator, we were flying.

The wind fluttered in my face. My arms wrapped around his waist at the start, and all the rules I lived by, for a moment... they didn’t matter.

Tyrion’s bike cut through the city.

I hadn’t expected it to be so... thrilling. The wind tangled my hair at the edges of my helmet, and the roar of the engine rumbled through my bones.

I could feel Tyrion’s solid strength as he leaned into each turn with ease.

The world blurred past us—traffic, pedestrians, towering buildings, all fading into a streak of colours and motion.

We didn’t speak for most of it.

The city gradually fell away behind us, replaced by wide roads and open stretches.

The sky had already begun to shift into dusk, tinged in shades of lavender and deepening gold. I tilted my head up, just a little, to see the horizon bleeding into twilight.

When Tyrion finally slowed, I noticed a wide iron gate ahead with a sleek digital scanner mounted beside it.

We rolled to a gentle stop as the scanner blinked red.

Tyrion reached into his jacket, pulled out a black wristband, and pressed it to the panel. The light blinked once—green—and the heavy gates began to groan open.

I blinked behind my visor.

On the other side of the gate was... a track.

A real one.