Page 18 of Sweet Obsession

At first, I didn’t see the bruises.

Not until she lifted her head.

The side of her face was swollen, purple blooming under her eye like a dark, ugly flower.

One of her ankles was wrapped in a bandage.

Pain speared through me.

“Gabriela,” I whispered, rushing forward.

I knelt at her feet, heart pounding. “Who did this to you?”

She flinched when I reached for her.

“Gabi, please. Tell me.”

She shook her head, tears welling.

“Was it Papa?” I demanded.

No answer.

“Was it Misha?”

Another violent shake of her head.

“Then who?”

Still nothing.

Just her trembling lips. The way her hands twisted in her lap.

“Baby,” I said, voice breaking, “please, you have to tell me.”

She sucked in a shaky breath but stayed silent, eyes darting toward the door like she was afraid someone would hear.

I felt my blood boil at her refusal to speak. Every second she stayed silent, I lost control. Was this really happening? Was my little sister that afraid of me—of the truth? My chest tightened as the silence suffocated me, and I reached for her again, shaking her by the shoulders. “Tell me who did this to you, Gabi! Please!”

Her head remained down, eyes fixed on her lap. The tears welled up in her eyes, but she stayed silent, shaking her head. I gripped her arms, forcing her to look at me. “Gabi, I can’t protect you if you don’t let me in. Don’t you trust me?” My voice broke as I pleaded, my hands trembling.

I sat back on my heels, fists clenched so hard my nails bit into my palms.

“If you don’t tell me, I swear to god, I will burn this whole fucking house down to find out who’s doing this to you.” My voice was a low growl, the fury bubbling up like molten lava.

I stood.

“You’re not marrying Misha,” I said, voice shaking with rage. “I don’t care what Papa promised. I’ll find a way. I swear it.”

Gabriela didn’t answer.

She just stared at me with hollow eyes.

As if she already knew the promises I made wouldn’t be enough.

I stormed back angrily to my room.

Who is hurting my little sister? And why is she so scared to tell me about it? Ever since my mother's demise, I have practically stepped into my mother's position but Gabi still didn’t trust me enough to tell me what she’s going through.