"I need a breather… from all of this," I exclaimed, my voice firm yet tinged with exhaustion. My eyes swept over the faces of my family—concern etched into each one, though they wore it differently.
My brothers stood at the edge of the room, looking variously sheepish, guilty, or, in Theo's case, impassive. Ethan, sitting beside me, gently took my hands in his, his touch steadying me like an anchor in a turbulent storm.
"Xan, if you need me, you know I'll always support you," Ethan said softly, his blue-gray eyes locking onto mine. There was a sincerity in his gaze that made my heart clench. It was as though the rest of the world didn't matter as long as I was by his side.
I nodded, summoning a small, reassuring smile for him. "I just need to be alone right now," I said. My voice wavered, betraying the internal chaos I was trying so hard to suppress. "I need time to digest all of this... chaos... this information."
