Rejected by One, Wanted by Another

Silent Burden

The week had been a long and exhausting one. Lucy decided it was time to go home to see her family, at least to get away from everything happening at school—the cold stares from Adrian, Zoe’s new attitude and the heavy weight of the Matthews’ name. More than anything, she missed her little brother, Leo. He was the only person who didn't want anything from her except a hug and a story.

When the train pulled into her small hometown station, she felt relieved. She walked up the familiar gravel path to the Quinn estate. It was a beautiful grand house, but it felt different now, there was a quietness to it now, maybe it was the lack of bustling staff and grand parties that used to fill the halls.

"Lucy! Lucy!

The front door opened and a small body slammed into her waist. It was Leo, her seven years old brother, he squeezed her so hard his face turned red. He was wearing his favorite dinosaur t-shirt, and his dark curly hair was messy.

"I missed you so much, peanut," Lucy whispered, lifting him up. He felt so light. She buried her face in his neck, let out a shaky breath, and for a second, she felt like she could actually cry.

"Did you bring me anything from the city? Did you see the giant robot at the museum?"

Lucy laughed, as she ruffled his messy dark hair. "I didn't see any robots, peanut, but I did bring you those special drawing pencils you wanted. They’re in my bag."

"Yes!" Leo cheered, grabbing her suitcase to help… mostly unsuccessfully… drag it inside.

Inside, the house was warm, but there was a new sound underneath the ticking of the grandfather clock, it was the steady mechanical sound of the oxygen machine.

She found her father, Thomas, in the dining room. He was sitting in his usual chair, looking every bit like the proud businessman in his knitted sweater. But when he turned to look at her, Lucy saw how much his eyes had sunken. The skin around his cheekbones was tight, and a small plastic tube was tucked under his nose.

"My girl is home," he said, his voice raspy and thin. He reached out a trembling hand, and Lucy took it immediately. His grip was weak.

"Hi, Dad. You look... you look rested," Lucy said. The lie felt like a stone in her throat.

"I’m hanging in there," Thomas said with a small, tired smile. "The doctors say the new treatments are helping. It’s all thanks to the Matthews family, Lucy. Without that bridge loan and the private medical wing they’ve promised, I don't think I’d be sitting here today."

Lucy’s mother, Margaret, brought out a platter of roasted chicken. They all sat together, a picture-perfect family. But Lucy felt like an actress on a stage as her father asked her about her relationship with Adrian.

And Adrian?" Thomas asked, pausing with his fork halfway to his mouth. "The Matthews boy. He’s keeping his word? He’s looking after you?"

Lucy thought of the cold office at Matthews Global and the way Adrian’s father had threatened her father’s life.

"He’s doing great, Dad," Lucy said, her voice smooth and practiced. "He’s been working very hard at the firm. He actually wanted to come this weekend, but Arthur needed him at a meeting. He sent his regards. "

"He’s a good lad," Thomas nodded, looking satisfied. "A bit headstrong, maybe. Like his father. But he’ll provide stability. That’s what matters in this world, Lucy . Stability. I’ve spent my life building this name, and it gives me peace to know you’ll be part of a family that can protect it."

"I know, Dad," Lucy whispered, forcing herself to take a bite of food she couldn't taste. "I’m very lucky."

"Is he still loud?" Leo asked through a mouthful of peas.

"Leo! Manners," Margaret scolded gently.

"He’s... he’s just passionate, Leo," Lucy said, winking at her brother.

After dinner, the house became quiet. Lucy took Leo upstairs to his room, which was filled with half-finished sketches and Lego towers. She sat on the edge of his bed while he brushed his teeth.

"Lucy?" Leo asked, hopping into bed and pulling the covers up to his chin. "Is Dad going to get better? Mom says he’s just tired, but he uses that breathing machine a lot."

Lucy tucked the blankets around his shoulders, her heart aching. "The doctors are working very hard, Leo. That’s why the Matthews family is helping us. So Dad can have the best medicine in the world. You don’t need to worry about that. You just worry about finishing that drawing of the dragon for me."

"Okay," Leo sighed, his eyes already getting heavy. "I love you, big sis."

"I love you more, peanut. Sleep tight."

She kissed his forehead and turned out the light. As she walked down the hallway, she passed her father’s study. The door was ajar. She saw him sitting at his desk, staring at a stack of medical bills and bank statements. He looked very small in the large chair. He didn't see her. He just closed his eyes and leaned his head back, his chest rising and falling with the oxygen machine.

Lucy realized that she could never tell him the truth. She could never tell him that her "happiness" was the currency being used to pay those bills. To tell him would be to kill him faster than the illness ever could.

She went to her old bedroom and closed the door. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the small piece of paper with Jonathan’s number.

She thought of Jonathan’s steady gaze and the way he had stood up to Adrian. Then she thought of Leo’s smile and her father’s raspy breath.

With a trembling hand, she tore the paper into tiny pieces and dropped them into the trash can.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to the empty room. "I have to be a Quinn."