{ Ace }
The quiet should've been comforting. It wasn't.
Mia lay on the bed, her breathing soft and even, but I couldn't stop watching her, as if, if I looked away, she'd disappear.
Strands of golden hair fell across her face, brushing against her cheek. Peaceful. Calm. Like she hadn't just nearly torn herself apart.
I exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the way my chest tightened.
How was I supposed to tell her?
How do you tell someone their entire life is a lie? That the family they know, the life they know, was never really theirs?
I leaned back against the metal wall, passing a hand through my hair. There had been a thousand moments where I could've told her. A thousand times I'd almost let it slip. But the words always got stuck, because once I said them, there was no taking them back.
And after everything she'd been through, maybe I was a coward for not wanting to be the one to break her again.
"She needs to know " Conner's voice rumbled in my head, low and persistent.
"I know," I muttered under my breath.
But knowing and doing? Not the same thing.
A soft sigh pulled my attention back to her. Her face changed, brows furrowing like something was pulling at the edges of her dreams. My stomach twisted. If I waited too long, if that shadow came back—
I shook the thought away. I wouldn't let that happen.
Still, the question lingered in my mind. What if the truth breaks her more than any shadow ever could?
Another breath. Deeper this time. Her fingers twitched, curling slightly against the edge of the blanket. I was so focused on her hands that I almost missed the faint whisper of my name.
"Ace…"
Her voice was soft, barely above a breath, but enough to make my heart stutter.
I shifted closer, my defenses cracking as I reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm here, cupcake."
Her lashes fluttered, and then, golden eyes met mine. Sleepy. Confused. But there.
"You're staring again," she murmured, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "I must be pretty if you can't stop."
I huffed out a soft laugh, relief flooding through me in a rush I wasn't ready for. "You wish."
"Pretty and funny," she teased, trying to push herself upright, but the second she moved, her breath hitched, and I caught her by the arm before she could fall.
"Whoa, easy," I said, holding her steady. "You're not exactly at full power, Mia."
She grumbled something under her breath but didn't pull away. For a second, she let herself lean into me, just enough for me to feel how badly she was still shaking.
"I'm fine," she insisted, but her voice was thinner than usual.
I didn't believe her for a second. "You almost fried yourself, cupcake. You're not fine."
Mia tilted her head, studying me through half-lidded eyes. "And what about you?"
My breath hitched. She always did this, always caught the cracks in my armor no matter how hard I tried to hide them. And for a moment, I thought about lying. About telling her I was fine.
But the words wouldn't come.
Because soon, I'd have to tell her everything.
And after that, nothing would ever be the same.
Her fingers brushed against mine, light, warm. "Ace… what's wrong?"
I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "There's something I need to tell you," I said quietly. "But not now. Just… rest, okay?"
For once, she didn't argue. She just held my gaze for a long, searching moment before nodding slowly. "Tomorrow, then. Good night." She whispered again before returning to her sleeping position.
"Yeah," I whispered. "Tomorrow."
But deep down, I knew, tomorrow might be too late.
Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes imagining what the next day would bring.
~ the next day ~
" Wake up sleepyheads!!" Cole exclaimed cheerfully pulling the blanket off Mia.
Mia groaned sandwiching her head between the pillows. " Five more minutes!"
Cole just chuckled and winked at me. " You know..." He started.
" I thought that I'd be greeted more cheerfully."
Mia peaked through the pillows and raised an eyebrow. " And why is that?" She asked confused.
" Well..." He paused before continuing. " It's my birthday!!" He exclaimed happily.
Mia jumped from bed." No way!!"
Cole just chuckled, then nodded smirking.
" Happy birthday Cole!" She jumped towards him and hugged him tightly.
Cole coughed. " Mia, you're choking me!"
" Sorry." She rubbed her nape.
I just smiled turning to Cole." Happy birthday bud!"
Then, Conner growled. " You have to tell her!" He urged.
" I'll tell her soon, I promise." I whispered back.
Conner grunted, but soon he let me be.
Mia turned to me smiling. " So... What were you going to tell me?"
My jaws tensed and my hands started to get sweaty, thankfully Cole oblivious to our conversation exclaimed. " Hey, let's go have some breakfast!"
"It can wait," I said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Birthday boy first."
Mia didn't look convinced. Her gaze lingered on me, sharp and searching, like she could see straight through the cracks. For a moment, I thought she might push—press me to spill everything right then and there. But Cole, as always, had impeccable timing.
"I'm thinking pancakes." He beamed, already halfway to the kitchen. "And you two can't stop me."
Mia rolled her eyes but let it go, sliding off the bed with a stretch. I let out a slow breath, relief and guilt tangling in my chest.
Not yet.
At breakfast, Cole practically bounced around the kitchen while Mia sat across from me, poking absently at her food. I should've been celebrating with them—laughing, teasing, acting like everything was fine.
But my stomach felt like lead.
Every glance at her reminded me that I was running out of time.
"You're awfully quiet, Ace." Cole plopped into the seat next to Mia, digging into a massive stack of pancakes. "Usually, you'd be stealing my food by now."
I forced a shrug. "I'm letting you enjoy your moment."
Mia tilted her head, still watching me. She wasn't buying it. "You sure nothing's wrong?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly—too quickly.
Conner's growl echoed in my head. You're not fine. And neither is she.
I clenched my jaw and pushed the voice aside.
The morning passed in a blur of noise—mostly Cole, dragging us into one activity after another. But no matter what we did, the question gnawed at me:
How much longer could I keep the truth from her?
By the time afternoon rolled around, I couldn't shake the weight on my chest. Every time Mia laughed, every time her smile lit up the room, I felt it—how fragile it all was.
And if I didn't tell her soon, I might lose her for good.
Later, when Cole disappeared to prepare some "top-secret birthday surprise," Mia finally cornered me.
"Okay, spill." She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "What aren't you telling me?"
My pulse quickened. "Mia—"
"Don't 'Mia' me, Ace." Her voice softened, but her eyes didn't. "You promised. No more secrets, remember?"
I opened my mouth, the truth hanging on the tip of my tongue.
She deserves to know.
She's not ready.
The words clashed inside me, ripping me apart.
"I…" I swallowed hard. "It's complicated."
Mia took a step closer, her expression gentler now. "Ace, whatever it is… we'll figure it out. Together."
The hope in her voice almost broke me.
" Mia... I'm...I'm... I'm your brother." I let out in one breath.