“Mr. Williams, mind your manners toward Ms. Sullivan,” Paul’s voice was sharp, his gaze unwavering as he stepped closer to Kenny. The tension in the air seemed to thicken. “You may think you have control over her, but you have no right to speak to her like that.”
Kenny looked at Paul, his expression tightening, but something in Paul’s stance made him hesitate. He wasn’t used to being challenged like this, especially not by someone who wasn’t part of the family. He opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by Samuel, who quickly stepped in front of Kenny.
“Stay out of this, Mr. Ziegler,” Samuel spat, his tone venomous. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
Skylar could feel the weight of their words bearing down on her, but something inside her shifted. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she wasn’t alone in this fight. She was no longer the docile sister who just went along with everything. She was standing up for herself, and it felt liberating.
“Do you really think I’m going to let you talk down to me just because you’re my older brothers?” Skylar’s voice was steady but filled with conviction. “You’ve had your chance to shape me, but you failed. So don’t come here with your judgments, telling me what I should or shouldn’t do.”
Kenny was taken aback by the force of her words. For years, he had tried to control every aspect of her life, to mold her into the daughter and sister he thought she should be. But this Skylar was different. This Skylar was no longer the quiet, obedient little sister. She had a backbone, and it was clear she wasn’t afraid to use it.
“You’ve lost all respect for us, haven’t you?” Kenny asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Skylar shook her head. “I haven’t lost respect for you, Kenny. I just don’t owe you my life anymore. I’m my own person, and I’ll make my own decisions. Whether you like it or not.”
She turned toward Paul, her expression softening just a bit. “Thanks for stepping in,” she said quietly.
Paul gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Anytime, Ms. Sullivan. Just don’t let them get under your skin.”
With a final glance at her brothers, Skylar opened the car door and slid inside. She wasn’t going to let them dictate her choices any longer. As the engine roared to life and she drove away, she could feel the weight of her family’s expectations lifting, piece by piece. She was taking control of her own story, and nothing could hold her back now.
Kenny and Samuel stood there, watching her drive away, their anger still simmering but their power over her slipping further from their grasp. They had always assumed Skylar would fall in line, but this time, they were wrong. Skylar had finally broken free.
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