Anna’s eyes shifted to the side. “I don’t want you to end up resenting me because I hurt your relationship with your sister. And I understand what it’s like to feel like you have no one. I don’t want that for her.”

“Anna.” I took her face in my hands. “None of this is on you. It’s on Juliette. And maybe me for not making sure she understood what was at stake.”

“There wouldn’t be this hurt between you if it wasn’t for me.”

“And I’d be half the man I am right now if you left. I didn’t realize just how lonely I was before you showed up. My house was just that: sterile and empty. You and Justin and Lyla brought life to its walls. You’ve made me feel understood in a way I never have. And, God, you guys have brought me so much fun. I wouldn’t give that up for anything. Not one single thing.”

Her fingers curled around my wrists. “I love the home we’re building. I don’t want to lose it.”

“We’re not going to. But I have to talk to my sister.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

The drive to the resort was mostly silent. Juliette was staying in one of the high-end cabins at the back of the property. My anger flared back to life when I realized that I was footing the bill for that cabin. She was spending my money and using it to stab me in the back.

I parked next to her rental car and climbed out of my SUV. Anna did the same but stayed by the vehicle. Juliette must have heard us drive up because she opened the front door as my door slammed shut. She glared at Anna. “She’s not welcome here.”

A muscle in my cheek ticked. “She’s welcome wherever I am. And since I’m the one paying for your extended stay, I’d say she’s welcome here.”

“Mason,” Anna said in a low tone, moving in behind me.

Juliette’s mouth slackened. “Are you seriously throwing that in my face? I’m in school. You said you wanted me to focus on that and not go into debt.”

“And that hasn’t changed. What has is you. I never thought you’d betray me. After everything I’ve given you. I’ve never asked for a damn thing in return except for you to give Anna a chance. One thing. You couldn’t even do that. Instead, you opted to be bitter and selfish. And in the process, you hurt the people I care about most in this world.”

“Mason,” Juliette whispered. “What are you talking about?” She took in our apparel and put two and two together. But instead of apologizing, she doubled down. “I did what I thought was right.”

“What you did was potentially deliver two children into the hands of an abusive asshole.”