Theo wakes, his head pounding. The last thing he recalls is Delia’s screams before he passed onto the cold marble tile. Now he’s surrounded by empty seats—and a window. He blinks, seeing nothing but clouds through a windowpane. Was he on an aircraft?

Theo rubs his neck before standing, taking liberties to walk around. He catches his dishevelled appearance as he walks by the mirror, his hair sticking up in places. He sees Delia by the window, her eyes red and puffy. A pang in his gut suggests for him to approach her, but his logic fights against it. When he sees that Delia’s body is covered by a navy patterned coat, it hits him. A flood of memories plagues his brain.

Delia looks at him. “You’re awake.”

“Yeah. Sorry, it took so long.”

“It’s not your fault. It never was your fault.” Delia hangs her head low, gripping her fingers together in a tight fist. “I’m sick of crying over my circumstances. I was going to shoot Delius—my own brother. What have I become?”

“Someone who’s tired of bending to the will of others. I think that’s why Oli left the family.”

“What happened to Oli?” It’s obvious that Delia wants to change the subject. He indulges her.

“Grandfather has a way of expecting the best from you—believing that if your best isn’t up to his standard, then it wasn’t your best. What he expected of me was easy—follow the rules and become the heir he dreamed me to be. For Oli, things weren’t as simple.” He came into the world desperate to live by his way and no one else’s. Theo envied that mentality—wishing that he could embody the same philosophy. But he was a stickler for tradition—for structure—forever bound by his fate to obey. He hadn’t realized how strong that desire was until now. He stretches out a hand to Delia. “I understand why he stayed behind.”

“He could be dead.”

“Oli? Nah, not his style."

Delia leans her head on Theo’s shoulder. “Delius and I did everything together—none of us could make friends so we stuck by each other’s side. Being twins it was easy—we were put in the same class of every private school we attended, but no one approached us because of how strange we were. Our mother left the family after Thorne was born, unable to handle the stress of a third child—leaving our father and us behind. Father took Thorne and was raised a continent away from us for years, visiting every summer until he graduated. So, it’s been the two of us with my Grandmother all this time, and me being the older twin, I became fiercely protective of him. I don’t know when that fierce protection turned into hatred. I…don’t want to hate Delius. I love him.”

“Oli’s gonna protect him.” Theo rubs Delia’s back as she sobs into her sleeve. He sees the pang of betrayal in her face—that should have been her. He understands; he could have done more for Oli as well.

“Thanks,” Delia sniffs. “I don’t know what’s going to happen now, but I’m glad you’re here with me. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Didn’t do anything.”

“You certainly have!” Delia narrows her brows. “Marrying you might have been the thing that saved me.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.” She says, her voice lowering. “When I first met you, I thought you would be a horrible husband, you were so gruff with pushing me away—especially at dinner—but I know now that you’re not a mean person. You were dealt a shitty hand too, and I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner.” Her lips part into a smile as she cups his hand with both of hers. “I think…I love you.”

Theo blinks, his mouth parting into a low oval shape as his heart jumps into his throat.

“You don’t have to tell me that you love me back. I just wanted to let you know.” A nervous laugh escapes her lips. “I know it’s absurd to tell someone you love them after a week, but our circumstance is unique.”

“Having a near-death experience will do that kinda thing.” He doesn’t blame her—he shared similar affections towards her. But love? “I’m not very good with these kinds of words. Just telling you—I’m still not a romantic and never will be.” Theo’s amber eyes dart to the ground, but Delia wraps her arms around him.

“Your actions speak louder than your words do.” She snuggles into him, her hair brushing against his stubbled chin. “I’m looking forward to learning more about you.”

“You sure about that?”

“Why?”

“Because I love cats. I want a house full of them.”

“Cats don’t bother me.” She shrugs. “Delius is obsessed with them.”

“But he’s got one white Persian,”

“And he’s obsessed with Deely—the Persian that is. Don’t ask why he named her Deely.”

“I won’t.”

“Besides, if you love cats so much, why don’t you have any?”

“Grandfather’s allergic.”

“Then why do you still live with them? Surely you can afford moving out.”

“Grandfather would have a fit. He likes keeping the family together. It’s why he wanted us to live at the manor—or what’s left of it.”

Delia frowns at the comment. “That explains why he wanted us to stay at the manor—or until we had kids.”  

“No kids,” Theo says firmly.

“Then no cats.” He expects Delia to shoot up and cross her arms in protest, but she just laughs.

“How about one cat and one kid—that is, when we get a place of our own. Does that sound manageable?”

“Three cats.” Theo says bluntly, but his edge softens as he continues, “And maybe one kid—but not anytime soon.”

“That’s fine. Persian cat? That’s the only Instagram picture I saw of you where you were smiling.”

“Hey, I’ve smiled in tons of pictures—just not the ones where Grandfather hasn’t forced me to.”

“Sorry to interrupt, but we’re about to land shortly. Please return to your seats.” They hear a voice through the intercom, which Theo struggles to recognize. But he doesn’t question it as he settles in his seat.

Delia’s eyes brighten a bit as she asks, “Do you mind if I hold your hand? I never liked the landings.”

Theo nods and allows her soft fingers to intertwine with his.

This feels right.