I still remembered the way I used to wait for her to return home every night. But she used to be missing for days, drinking, and staying out. It continued until she finally stopped fighting her grief and decided to leave this place, us, her past behind and go somewhere far.

Her hand ran over my chest in a small, slow circle, soothing me.

“How did Caleb take all of this?” she asked.

“At first, he was as shaken as we were. But then slowly, he got better.” My lips turned up into a sad smile. “He became the eldest among us, taking care of me when I used to be senseless with drugs and alcohol.”

“I’ll be forever grateful to him for that,” she said.

I knew she felt guilty she couldn’t be there for me when I needed her the most. Yes, I did need her the most. But I couldn’t drag her into my mess. I couldn’t taint her with my darkness. She was too pure and innocent for that.

“You know it was only because of you I didn’t lose hope.” I looked at her. “It was because of you why I tried my best to become normal again and leave drugs behind.”

She smiled, kissing my chest. “I’m glad I could help in some way.”

I sighed. “You always helped, baby. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve let my addiction consume me. You have no idea how horrible it was. There wasn’t anything I hadn’t tried. I almost overdosed once.” She gasped, shocked at my words. I squeezed her hands. “But thank God I’m out of that hell now. And all of it was because you were constantly on my mind when I was trying to get better in the rehab center.”

She hugged me closer. “I wish I could be there for you,” she whispered.

I kissed her head. “You were, baby. You were always there with me, in my heart.”

After a moment of silence, she asked, “When did you go to rehab?”

I gazed into the fireplace. “Right after you left for New York.”

She turned her head up to look at me, still not moving away from my chest. “But you were in the UK at that time for your degree…” Then realization set on her face as her eyes widened. “So, you went to the UK for rehab, and not for a degree?”

I shook my head. “No. I went there to get better. After Arthur returned, he handled the company, as Mom was always absent. Then he suggested I should go to the UK for my treatment. He had a friend who could help me. So, I did, but not to his friend, but to a renowned organization that Jonathan’s friend ran.”

She sat up straight. “Dad? He knew about your condition?”

Nodding, I tucked a strand behind her ear. “He knew everything.”