“Pay the rent or get out!”

Mark.

Her older brother, the one she hadn’t seen in nearly three years, stood at the far end with his hands slightly raised, as if approaching a wounded animal.

“Ev,” he said quietly. “I’m not here to start anything. I heard what happened.”

Evelyn’s heart hammered—not with fear this time, but shock. “How did you find me?”

“I talked to Daniel,” he admitted. “I asked him first. He said… he thought you should decide.”

Mark stepped closer, eyes glossy with regret. “Dad told me you ‘overreacted.’ Then the officers called for a statement. And I realized—God, Evelyn—I should’ve protected you. I’m sorry.”

The apology cracked something open. Not pain—relief.

“You were a kid too,” she whispered.

“I’m not anymore,” Mark said. “And I want to do better. If you’ll let me.”

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