When Love Ends, So Does Mercy

Just as I was lost in thought, Francis spotted me standing halfway down the stairs.

"Ollie, you're awake?" he said, flashing a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean to show up like this—I swear. Elise just wouldn't stop begging me to come home. I really didn't have a choice..."

Before he could finish, Elise stepped in front of him with dramatic flair, as if shielding him from some invisible threat. Her glare pinned me in place.

"Dad, you don't have to explain anything to him!" she snapped. "If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have been separated for so many years!"

Her words barely landed before my mother stormed over. Her palm cracked across my cheek with such force that my head snapped sideways. A ringing settled in my ears, followed by the faint taste of iron in my mouth.

"You ungrateful brat!" she screamed. "If Francis hadn't told us today that you blackmailed him and arranged for his kidnapping, we never would've known the real reason he vanished ten years ago!"

Her chest heaved with rage as she pointed an accusing finger at me. "You just couldn't stand watching your brother get ahead, could you? Stealing his woman wasn't enough? You wanted to be the Rogers' son-in-law, but then you acted like you were some self-sacrificing martyr! Watching your father and me nearly fall to our knees—did that make you feel proud, Oliver? Did it?!"

Her voice cracked with fury. "How could I have given birth to such a heartless, treacherous son!"

I touched the corner of my mouth. My fingers came away stained with blood. But I didn't say a word. I didn't even glance at her. Instead, my eyes landed squarely on Francis.

"Oh?" My voice was low. "So that's what you told them?"

For a split second, something flickered in his gaze—panic, faint and fleeting. But he masked it quickly, forcing his expression into one of heartbreak and vulnerability.

"Ollie, I didn't mean for them to find out. I just... I wanted to come back. I missed them so much. I missed Sara. I missed Elise..."

He staggered a little as he spoke, choking on emotion.

"Please, Ollie, I swear I'm not here to take Sara from you. I won't mess up your life. I won't take your place." His voice quivered. "I just want to be home again. I'm begging you... please..."

His shoulders trembled with every sob. To someone who didn't know better, it looked real. Convincing, even.

Elise didn't hesitate. She stormed toward me and began striking my legs and chest with her fists and feet, tears flying from her eyes.

"You liar! You monster! It's all your fault! All your fault!"

I barely felt the blows. Sara, sitting just behind her, didn't move to stop her. She didn't say a word. She simply watched me with cool indifference—no warmth, no sympathy. There was even a trace of revulsion in her eyes.

I stepped aside, letting Elise's tiny fists swing at empty air and made my way to the door.

Sara's voice rang out behind me. Sharp. Final.

"If you step out that door today, don't ever come back to this house again."

I didn't stop. I didn't turn. I walked out, shoulders steady, heart silent.

This was goodbye.