Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER THIRTY

Mark

I finish applying the last butterfly stitch to the wound, when Esther rasps, “Too hard.”

I roll my eyes at her comment. If she stopped pulling at her flesh to see the wound, it wouldn’t have kept reopening. If she does it again, she can bleed to death for all I care. I have places to be.

After pressing on a dressing, I kneel back and look up to find she no longer has her bikini top on.

“What the fuck!” I yell.

“Whoops, sorry,” she giggles. “Must have come undone.”

Yeah right. “Get out,” I bite out. “I don’t know what kind of fucking game you’re playing, but I don’t want any part of it.”

“Jesus, I know my sister has small tits, but a guy like you has seen plenty,” she remarks as she gets back to her feet. “Stop being a drama queen.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that it came undone? Do I look stupid?”

She arches her perfectly plucked eyebrows at me. “It was an accident.”

“Your mum not swallowing you was an accident. This shit is intentional. I’m with your sister.”

She grunts, losing her smile. “My sister will never truly be with you. She’s so in love with my husband, she won’t give anyone else a chance.”

I burst out laughing. “She wouldn’t piss on your husband if he was on fire.”

“No? Then tell me why she was trying to get him to feel guilty about leaving her last night, or why she was flirting with him?”

My brows pinch together, which causes her to smirk. She truly thinks I believe the shit spewing from her mouth. What I’m confused about is why she would think that story of the event happened. “You mean when she bumped into him last night?”

Surprise lights up her eyes, and I’m willing to bet she thought she knew something I didn’t. What she doesn’t know is, Freya doesn’t hide shit from me. I’ve given her no reason to, and I never will.

She shakes her head as if to clear her thoughts. “So she’s already spun you a tale?”

“The only one spinning tales is you and your husband. Freya overheard your friend and cousin talking bad about her in the girl’s toilets last night. And she realised that none of that would have happened if it wasn’t for you or your husband. But mostly your husband in her eyes. But me…” I state, stepping closer. “I think it could have all been avoided if you weren’t so insecure.”

“I’m not insecure,” she hisses.

“Yes, you are. You are so insecure you bully your sister to make yourself feel better. You do it so Danny never truly listens to the voice in the back of his head that tells him he messed up when he fucked you. You do it because you know she is twice the woman you are. You don’t give a fuck what it does to her emotionally, or the toll that it takes on her. You’re selfish and self-centred. You won’t get between Freya and I, so don’t waste your time trying. It won’t work.”

A smug smirk flits across her mouth, and the hairs on the nape of my neck stand on end. “Are you sure about that?”

I narrow my eyes on her, wishing one of my cousins were here to lay into her. “What have you done?” I grit out.

Her smirk turns into a smile. “Turns out I didn’t need to do anything,” she replies sweetly. “You should have locked the door.”

I spin around, noticing the door is slightly open, and glance back at the bed where Esther had been sitting. “You stupid fucking bitch,” I growl.

She laughs, moving towards the door. “Guess you two weren’t as strong as you make people believe. I didn’t even have to touch you to break you up.”

“I can fix what has happened,” I bite out, lowering my voice so she can hear I mean every single word. “But what you’ve done is unforgiveable. She forgave you once, but this time, there’s no going back.”

She shrugs without a care. “I’ll never forgive her so I don’t give a shit.”

“Forgive her for what? For the scenarios and paranoia you built in your own head? Are you really that fucking stupid? I’m going to tell you what she’s never been able to tell you. You weren’t his first choice. He never broke up with Freya to be with you. He thought breaking up with her would force her to give in to what he wanted. Which was to move in, get married and start a family. She didn’t want that. So he went to the one person who told him she would give him those things. Then used your insecurities and jealousy as a way to make Freya hurt like he did when she didn’t fall for his gaslighting. You want the truth, here it is: he traded down when Freya didn’t want him. He knows it. You know it. And deep down, Freya knows it. But she’s too damn fucking kind to say it out loud. She could have told you he was still messaging her, even after you two went public. She ignored every single one. When he read her poem as his vows, she still smiled for the cameras so you could have your farce of a wedding. She could have told you he went to her cabin but she didn’t. And never once have you asked yourself why she’s never retaliated. Or maybe you have and it makes you even angrier.” I take a breath, gripping the door handle tightly to rein in my anger. “Freya is mine, and I can tell you fucking now, this is the last fucking time you get to hurt her.”

She steps out into the hallway, smirking smugly. “Are you sure about that? My sister doesn’t give second chances.”

My hearts beats wildly as I slam the door closed behind her. She’s right. Freya doesn’t give out second chances.

I can be the first .

I can.

No. I will be.

I skip the shower, heading straight for my clothes to put on a T-shirt before making my way outside. A mark on the doorframe of Freya’s door catches my eye and I move closer to investigate.

“That fucking bitch.”

I didn’t break the glass bumping into her. It had already been broken by her clipping it against the doorframe.

I move through the hallway, making my way upstairs to the dinner hall, hoping that is where I will find Freya.

“Mark, I was just coming to get you,” Lily calls out when I reach the dinner hall.

“I can’t stop Lily,” I state, moving through the tables to find her parents.

“Son, what has happened?” Dad questions, catching up to me.

“I’ll explain after.”

Freya’s mum’s eyes widen at the sight of me. “Where is Freya?” I ask.

She doesn’t meet my gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me,” I grit out.

Sharing a glance with her husband, she bites her lip. He clears his throat. “She was here not long ago looking rather upset. She’s asked us not to share where she is as she needs time alone.”

“So she’s with Maya?” I guess.

“Please, give her some space. She’s doesn’t ask for a lot, but she’s asking for this. She will find you tomorrow; you have our word,” her mum softly replies.

I press my fists down on the table, letting them see how angry I am. “Your daughter is an amazing person. She is kind to everyone, and the fact her class, after only a week, are excited to have her as their teacher is a testament to that. She keeps things bottled up because she doesn’t have a way to release all her pent-up anger and frustration with you all. She can vent to her friend but it doesn’t fix what has already been said and done to her. The two people she should be able to go to have done nothing but turn their backs on her.”

Mitch holds his hand out. “Stop right there, son. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I bang my fist against the table, rattling the plates and glasses. “I know more than you and I’ve only been in her life a short while. Your other daughter is cruel beyond words to Freya, and you’ve watched it play out like they’re feuding neighbours you don’t want to get between. Esther needs serious help, but it’s Freya who needs it from you.”

“Maybe if you explained what has happened we could—”

“You calling Freya over earlier. Was that your idea or Esther’s?” I interrupt.

Mitch shares a glance with his wife. “Esther mentioned Freya was acting weird today and advised us to speak to her.”

“Which is what we were planning on doing anyway,” Maggie rushes out. “What happened, Mark? Freya didn’t say but I could tell she was upset.”

I laugh without humour. “I’ll tell you what fucking happened. Esther cut her leg, making me believe I was the cause. I took her into my room because I felt fucking awful, and was knelt down cleaning the wound when, unbeknown to me, she removed her bikini top. Freya must have walked in, and what she saw wasn’t actually what she thought it was. Your other fucking daughter orchestrated the entire thing, knowing how it would look to Freya.”

“Son, what do you mean?” Dad asks.

I glance up at him and hold back my disgust. “Picture it, Dad. Esther is sitting on the edge of the bed, I’m knelt between her legs cleaning the cut, and she somehow removed her bikini top. I even know the moment Freya must have walked in because Esther moaned,” I explain, hearing people around us suck in a breath. I turn back to her parents, my eyes narrowed. “Esther has no remorse for what she has done. None whatsoever. Because I called her out on it. And before she goes around saying I hurt her, it’s a fucking lie. She broke that glass before I arrived; I just didn’t know that until I saw the mark on the doorframe.”

“Maybe you’re wrong,” Maggie whispers.

I slam my fists down once more. “Open your fucking eyes, for Christ’s sake. Your daughter is in pain because your other daughter is so fucking insecure. I bet Freya didn’t even tell you why she had been so distant this morning.”

“She said she was feeling unwell.”

I laugh again. “She’s not fucking sick. Maybe look deeper.”

“Enough,” Mitch warns.

“No. You need to hear it because maybe then you’ll do something about it. Freya overheard Esther’s friend and their cousin talking about her in the bathroom. She had to listen to them say how she’s using me and that we’ll be over before the cruise docks at its last port.” I glance at her mother. “Freya knows what you said about her not taking anything seriously.”

She places her hand over the pearls hanging from her neck. “I thought she was with you to get a rise out of everyone. I said that before I really took notice of you together,” she whispers.

“She was so hurt by your words, she tossed and turned all night. You have two daughters, Mrs Baker, but you treat one like she can do no wrong and treat the other like everything she does—including breathing—is wrong.”

“I know you have a low opinion of me, but I love my daughters both equally,” she starts, but then reaches out to grip her husband’s hand. “I have been on hard on Freya because I want the best for her. I still do.”

“You tore her spirit down. Esther has shredded through what was left, and it’s no surprise she has broken. None of you deserve her. None of you .”

“Come on, darlin’,” Mum soothes.

“I’m not done,” I tell her softly, before turning back to the Bakers. “Did you know Danny was still messaging Freya after they broke up? Even after Esther and he announced they were together? She ignored every single one of his calls and texts. She knew Esther lied about being pregnant, but didn’t call her out on it. She also knew Esther had slept with someone else at the beginning of their relationship. She could have ruined their wedding by announcing those vows were from her poem, but she kept quiet. When they forced her to take those photos, Freya could have looked miserable, but instead she smiled like she was on cloud nine. Freya has done everything she possibly can to make sure everyone is happy and has never opened her mouth once about the things she’s known. She took all of your condescending remarks, and all the backlash from events Esther and Danny had put into motion. The people who were meant to protect her and love her did nothing but hurt her.” I don’t care that her mother is now crying, or that her father is on the verge of tears. They deserve to hear the truth. “I will make it right with your daughter, and when I do, you’d better believe I’ll make sure none of you fucking see her until you make it right. And that’s only if it’s not already too late.”

“You love her,” Mitch whispers.

Hearing someone say it out loud makes me want to laugh, because until now, I thought I knew what love was. I had been wrong. Love… It’s more than just a word. I get that now. I understand why Jaxon would rather stay inside the cabin with Lily. I understand why Aiden doesn’t stop touching Bailey. Or why Hayden constantly tests Clay yet would go to war if anyone else tried. I even understand why Landon is overprotective of Paisley. And why Charlotte will sometimes get misty-eyed when she watches Drew. Love is a whole thing, and the couples are just pieces that make it whole.

Before today, I knew I cared for Freya. She wormed her way under my skin and felt comfortable there. But now… Now I know how I feel. I don’t want to go home without her. I don’t want to wake up in the morning and find her missing from beside me. I can’t picture my life without our little bickering moments. She brought colour into my life, and without her, there will only be grey. I know in my bones what we have is unique and just like the sea; deep and endless. If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.

I meet her father’s eyes. “How could I not? When she laughs, she laughs with everything inside her. Her family mean everything to her, even if she doesn’t mean much to them. She’s sassy and will speak her mind as long as someone isn’t going to get hurt. She learnt sign language so a friend wouldn’t feel left out. She’s the only girl who has ever gone head to head with me and called me out on my shit. I won’t lie and say I’ve always felt this way because I haven’t. I was attracted to her, yes. But then she got under my skin, and I didn’t realise how much until today, when I became a part of the reason she’s hurting. I will do anything and everything to make sure I am never the reason again, no matter how misguided this time is. And I’ll make damn sure her sister is never the reason too.”

A snort sounds beside me and I slowly turn my head, glaring at the woman who has made everyone’s life hell, without some of them even realising. “Who have I hurt this time?”

“For your own good, I suggest you sit down,” Mitch orders tightly.

Her eyes widen, trying to come across as innocent as tears gather in them. “What is going on?”

My dad places a hand on my arm, silently warning me to calm down. “Do you even have a heart in that shrivelled up, bony body of yours?”

“Did you orchestrate a situation where Freya would believe you two were being intimate?” Maggie demands.

She narrows her gaze on me. “Is that what you’re telling everyone? I was trying to be kind by not telling anyone about you trying it on with me, but you can go to hell if you think I’m going to let you pin the blame on me. I said no, and if you think you can win my sister back by telling lies, you’ve got another thing coming. My sister has been through enough and I’ll tell her the truth myself.”

I open my mouth to reprimand her but her mother gets there first. “Stop! Just stop with your lies.”

Esther places a hand on her chest, a sob catching in her throat. “You can’t honestly tell me you believe him, Mum. He’s lying. And he knew everyone would take his side because of how Danny and I got together.”

Her mother stands up, her chair falling to the floor from the force. She leans over the table, much like I had been moments ago. “If I hadn’t witnessed what I have this past week, I would have stupidly believed you. But you can’t fake his reaction,” she growls, pointing at me. “You just can’t. How did you end up like this, Esther? Was it something we did? Were we too lenient with you?”

Esther’s cheeks redden as she sucks in a breath. “He’s lying. He came on to me and I turned him down,” she spits out. “I can’t believe you’re going to take a stranger’s word over your own daughter’s.”

“Stop lying! Just stop,” Mitch yells. “You’ve caused enough damage. We had your back with Danny, even though both your mother and I told you it wasn’t a good idea and that Freya would be hurt. But we supported you, believing Danny meant that much to you and you to him. But now Mark? What excuse could you possibly have other than you wanted to hurt your sister who has never done anything to you?”

“I swear on my life, I’m telling you the truth,” Esther whispers, her shoulders straightening.

“You wouldn’t know the truth if it hit you in the face,” I spit out. “It ends now. You did all this for nothing. Freya doesn’t want Danny. She doesn’t even want to be friendly with him. I hope to Christ that one day you will look back on what you have done and regret it so much it consumes you. Just like the hurt and pain you caused consumed Freya.” I glance to her parents. “Tell Freya when you see her that I will be in my room for the rest of the night if she is willing to give me a moment to explain. If not, I will wait to speak to her tomorrow morning.”

“We will pass the message on,” Mitch replies.

“You truly believe him?” Esther growls. “Really?”

I leave them to argue, only stopping when I get to the lifts. “Son, come back and eat something.”

“I’m not hungry, Dad.”

“Son, this isn’t your fault.”

I step into the lift and turn to face him, holding my hand on the door to stop it from closing. “You always taught us to watch our backs. I stopped looking for a minute, and it’s cost me the very thing I have been searching for.”

“We can fix this,” he offers.

“Dad, I love you, but this isn’t your problem to fix. This is mine and mine alone.”

“You know where we are if you need us.”

I nod and let go of the lift, letting it close.

I will fix this between Freya and I. I won’t accept any other option because there is none.

She is mine.

And a Carter always gets what is theirs.