Brandon's POV
The hallway suddenly felt too quiet.
I stood there for several seconds after Casey left.
Pete followed behind her almost immediately, throwing one uncertain glance over his shoulder before disappearing after her.
Then I was alone.
Alone with my thoughts.
And that was dangerous.
Because Casey's words kept replaying in my head.
Over and over.
Like a broken recording.
"You're standing here protecting Chloe while your own mother is destroying people."
I swallowed hard.
My chest felt tight.
Too tight.
I dragged a hand through my hair and exhaled slowly.
No.
No, Casey had every reason to lie.
She hated Chloe.
She hated Zoe.
She hated practically everyone right now.
But...
Something about the way she'd said it...
Something about her eyes...
There wasn't mockery there.
There wasn't manipulation.
There was anger.
And certainty.
Too much certainty.
My feet started moving before I even realized it.
