Brandon's POV
I had seen Seth even before I heard him.
I was standing by my bedroom window, when I watched his car pull into the driveway just as the evening sun dipped behind the trees, staining the sky in bruised shades of orange and gray. He stepped out, looking calm like one who had had a good day. He shut the door, and ran a hand through his tousled blond hair.
He looked different.
Lighter.
For the first time in days, his face looked brighter and not like one carrying the weight of our family on his shoulders.
His posture was fully relaxed.
His steps had a rhythm to them.
And there was something in his face that I hadn't seen since before Mum's arrest.
Real happiness.
Pure Joy.
I stood there frozen behind the curtains, my fingers gripping the edge of the fabric. The thought of him leaving earlier to meet with Zoe filled my brain.
My chest tightened so suddenly it felt like someone had reached inside and twisted my heart.
No.
Stop.
I tried to reason with myself.
