Not so subtle whispering
619 Words
Arabella
The living room felt like a nest-soft lighting, legs tangled, bodies draped over the oversized couch like we'd all collectively decided gravity was optional tonight. Adriana had her feet tucked beneath her, Aliana leaned against the armrest, and I was wedged between them, pretending I wasn't being studied.
They were whispering.
Subtle in the way sisters are subtle-meaning not at all.
"So," Adriana murmured, eyes flicking toward the kitchen before landing back on me, "what's going on with you and Soren?"
I exhaled through my nose. "We... I think we're dating? Or starting to?"
Aliana tilted her head. "What do you mean you think?"
"I think we're just... seeing where it goes." I shrugged, twisting a ring around my finger. "I'm not afraid of a relationship. I've known Soren for years now, but-"
"If something goes wrong," Aliana said gently, "you're going to have to see him."
I nodded. That was the part sitting heavy in my chest.
"I get it," she added quietly. "I really do."
Adriana studied me for a moment, then smiled. "I have a feeling that won't happen."
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed-an email preview flashing across the screen.
Campaign. Schedule. Revisions.
"Speaking of things that won't go wrong," I said, shifting gears, "I have to film another campaign at the Everheart hotels."
Adriana groaned. "Again?"
"They're rebranding a wing," I sighed. "Different directors. Same pressure."
I didn't say anything else, but my stomach tightened anyway.
---
Soren
We were all pretending not to watch the living room.
Beckett leaned against the island, arms crossed. "You're making eyes at her."
"I'm not," I said automatically.
"You are," he replied. "Which tells me something is going on."
Atticus smirked. "Probably. He fell asleep at my place saying her name in his sleep."
Beckett laughed. "Did he?"
I shot Atticus a look. "We both know that didn't happen. But-yeah. I like her."
Beckett groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Oh no. Not again. Not another Everheart going through a will-they-won't-they routine."
"Why my sisters-in-law?" he added, exasperated.
Atticus laughed. "Correction-future sister-in-law."
"We're getting back at you," I said calmly. "For making us suffer through your rivalry with Adriana."
Atticus grinned. "One of us did ask if she had sisters."
Beckett looked pained. "I hate this family."
But even as we laughed, I noticed something shift.
Arabella wasn't on the couch anymore.
---
Later
I found her outside.
Pacing at first-hands fisted, shoulders tight-before she sank onto the steps and folded forward, face in her hands like she was trying to disappear into herself.
I didn't overthink it.
I sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"It's going to be okay," I said softly.
She didn't answer. She didn't pull away either.
We sat like that, the quiet stretching comfortably between us. Her phone lit up in her lap-emails stacked, schedules crammed tight. Names repeated. Demands disguised as opportunities.
I noticed one name more than once.
Male model.
She must have felt me see it, because she straightened slightly. "Can you... not say anything?" she asked quietly. "I don't want anyone to worry."
I glanced at her. "Is this what's been stressing you out?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "It's just... a lot. I don't want to mess anything up. Not for my family. Not for the brand."
I tightened my arm around her, grounding. "Okay."
That was all she needed.
I didn't push. I didn't pry.
But I remembered everything.
And later-when I got home-I'd move things quietly. Rearrange what I could. Lighten the weight without asking for credit.
Because she didn't need fixing.
She just needed someone steady enough to stand beside her while the world asked for too much.
- Writer
