The Three Who Chose Me
Chapter 20: Whispers of Regret

Chapter 20: Whispers of Regret

Josie

"What’s going on here?"

Varen’s voice was thick and gruff with controlled rage, his eyes burning into Thorne’s.

He didn’t even spare me a glance.

So yeah, maybe this was my cue to take my fucking leave?

But it still hurt my feelings that he didn’t even bother to acknowledge me.

It always seemed like none of them cared about the way I feel... cared to understand me...cared to really see me...

Just...care.

But no, these triplets didn’t give a damn about me, and I was the only one running wild and insane and losing my head over each fucking one.

Just as their faces were different, they gave me different headaches.

Made my heart ache differently.

I backed away from the bookshelf, trying to slip away because it seemed like there was about to be a round-two of an altercation between two brothers.

I wasn’t here for it. I’d seen enough fake chivalry already.

I’d only taken a few steps backwards when Thorne suddenly reached forward and grabbed my arm, stopping me.

I turned, glaring at me. "Let me go."

He gave me an impatient look, his brows drawn tight together. "I’m going to be quick with this, Josie. Just let me talk to Varen for a little bit."

"Talk?!" I exploded, snatching my arm away with unbelievable force. "You mean really talk, or throw punches and grab at each other’s throat?"

They both seemed bewildered by my outburst, forgetting the tension between them for a moment.

"Because that’s all you all ever do!" I continued. "And I’m not about to hang around and watch grown-ass men squabble like kids! I definitely have better things to do!"

I stormed off as the words echoed through the library, not glancing at Varen once.

Although I caught the annoying snicker on his face from underneath my long lashes.

He had that look on his face, like every-fucking-thing happening was my fault.

I was pretty repulsed that he’d think that, or even have that look.

I got to my room and kicked the door open, exhaustion and rage pushing my feet into the room.

I’d just slammed the door shut when I was suddenly grabbed off in one fluid movement, and pinned against a wall.

It happened so fast my heart literally stopped, a scream reaching from my lungs.

But they never moved past my lips, because a slender finger glided over them, applying sharp pressure.

"Shh," Kiel whispered in my ear, "it’s me."

He made himself visible then, pinning me with one hand and slipping his face out of the shadows to bounce it off the sun reflections.

I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, relief washing through me and weakening my legs.

"Let me go," I lashed out, and to my surprise, he did.

I slid down the wall, my heart racing. "What the fuck is wrong with you? All of you?"

Kiel let out a huge sigh, as if he was disheartened by my agitation, running a hand through his long, dark hair that fell over his forehead, escaped tendrils framing his high cheekbones.

"I don’t want to have to do this the hard way, Josie," he muttered in a cold, dark voice that sent shivers down my spine. "You wouldn’t want that too."

I just stared at him, empty words clogged at my throat.

And that somehow prompted him on.

"You need to actually listen to me and stop trying to follow Thorne around, alright? He’s no—"

"Oh, please, Kiel," I snapped, cutting him off bluntly. "Do you think I asked for any of this?" I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. "You know, it’s always been so evident that you don’t understand, and you never try to. Not even once."

Something about these words caused the darkness in his to diminish very slightly, a hint of softness creeping in. "Don’t say that, Josie. I’ve always understood you."

"Oh, really?" There was a sarcastic ring to her tone. "You wanna know what I think? I think maybe you and your brothers haven’t really been around a girl like me before. An omega with no personality that suits your standards. And that’s why you all act like I’m some toy made for your amusement."

The confusion and disbelief on Kiel’s face kept mounting the more I spoke.

"Look, Kiel," I continued, "I’m actually not in the mood to be played with today, so please leave me be."

He tried to take my arm, "Josie, you—"

"Just leave me alone," I shot, snatching my arm away before he could grab it. "Nothing you say can change the fact that I mean nothing to any of you. So why bother?"

"Listen, it’s not what you think, Josie," Kiel sounded aggravated. "What happened—"

"I don’t care! I’m tired of listening to your consistent lies, and your brothers’. So maybe y’all should give me a break?"

Something dark crossed Kiel’s face, and like the flip of a switch, the repentant look in his eyes was gone.

He was back to cold, mysterious Kiel.

"Fine, then," he stepped back, adjusting the collar of his jacket. "I’ll leave you be."

Without another word, he turned on his heels and walked away, the muscles in his shoulders rippling with ease and sass and calling my fucking attention.

My heart was heavy, my throat clogged, my eyes burning.

And I was a little disappointed at the way I felt. Shouldn’t I be happy he was gone? Relieved?

Why did I feel that sad weight of—

Did I go too far? Maybe a little too harsh? More than a little?

He’d seemed really hurt.

I sighed, dragging my feet to my bed with mixed feelings.

I’d just plopped down on the soft mattress when my door flung open and Marcy stood there. Panicked and droopy-eyed.

I eyed her cautiously from where I lay. "What’s going on, Marcy?"

She gave me a look, like she could believe my question. "You haven’t heard?"

"What?"

She paused, her eyes dimming further.

Then.

"It’s your mom, Josie."

I stilled, my breath seized.

"She tried to commit suicide."