chapter995

Lydia stayed quiet for a long time before she finally spoke, her face blank. "Take me to see him."

Garrett's voice trembled with worry. "But your health.....

"I can handle it."

Besides looking a little pale, Lydia didn't look hurt at all.

Connor knew her well enough not to argue. He just nodded. Alright.

After the forensics team was done, Luke was placed in the hospital morgue. Connor and Garrett took Lydia there together.

When the heavy door opened, a rush of cold air mixed with the sharp smell of disinfectant hit them. The chill was enough to make anyone shiver. Harsh, white lights glared down on rows of metal lockers. Their surfaces reflected warped shadows, as if hiding secrets no one dared speak of.

Lydia stood at the entrance. She didn't go in right away. On the outside, she looked calm, but inside, she was falling apart. Luke-the boy she'd always seen as her own

brother was really gone.

She just couldn't accept it.

"Lydia..." Connor started, but stopped, not knowing what to say. He was scared she wouldn't be able to take it when she saw Luke's battered body.

Lydia steadied herself and looked at both of them. "I'm okay."

A staff member led them inside. The floor tiles were freezing, and every step sounded so loud in the empty, silent space.

When Lydia finally saw Luke, his face pale and lifeless, all the strength she'd built up crumbled. Her heart squeezed so tight it hurt. Breathing felt like dragging glass shards into her lungs. Every breath burned.

"I want to be alone with him for a bit."

Connor and Garrett exchanged a look, then nodded. Of course."

Before he left, Connor hesitated. He spoke softly. "Lydia, Luke wouldn't want you to put yourself through this."

He squeezed her shoulder gently, then left with Garrett and the staff.

Silence closed in around Lydia.

She looked at Luke's face, peaceful as if he were just sleeping, and memories from their childhood rushed back. Jenson and Milana had always favored their their son. From the day Luke was born, he was everyone's golden child. She'd always been jealous, deep down.

She had tried so hard, always pushing herself to be better, just hoping Jenson and Milana would notice her more. But no matter what she did, they only had eyes for Luke. She was always left out.

After a while, she gave up hoping. It didn't matter anymore what Jenson and Milana thought.

Luke used to be a wild kid, always getting into trouble. But after his car accident, when he started to see her as his sister, she'd really started to see him as her little brother Shed.... wanted to protect him for the rest of his life.

But...

"Luke, I'm so sorry..."

"I didn't protect you..."

Her voice came out broken and rough, softer than she'd ever heard it before. She'd always believed crying never solved anything. She almost never cried. But now, after seeing all the wounds and bruises covering Luke's body, the pain was too much to hold back.

Her eyes stung with tears she couldn't control.

What had he gone through before he died?

He was only sixteen.

How could anyone be so cruel?

She clenched her fists so tight her nails dug into her palms. Her eyes were cold and hard as stone.

"Luke, I promise you, every single person who hurt you... they won't get away with

it."