PART 12 : Asking for explanation

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The sunshine barely peaks through the window as I groggily rub my eyes and drag myself out of bed. After my troubled sleep, I make an effort to make my bed and brush my teeth. As I look at my reflection in the mirror, I keep thinking back to yesterday. To Zachary's words. To last night. To Ryder...

Lenny...I need to talk to him today.

I come downstairs, the house is unusually quiet, although it's not very surprising since it's quite early. Anyway, I head to the kitchen, and find Lenny there, casually stirring his coffee as if nothing happened. As if I still didn't know.

He looks at me, offering a gentle smile, that almost shatters my composure :
— Good morning, Elara. Slept well ?

My heart skips a beat, hesitating what I should respond.
— Yeah...I slept well—

But suddenly I get cut off by a voice from behind me :
— Liar, Zachary says after he clears his throat.
— Morning, Zach, Lenny adds.
— Mhm, she wants to ask you something, Kaelum, Zachary speaks with a firm tone, nodding towards me and staring at Lenny for a long minute.

My eyes widen and my head shots at him, glaring at him. It makes his eyes narrow, raising an eyebrow.

— You need something, Elara ? Lenny then asks.

I take a deep breath and nods :
— Could we...talk, please ?

Lenny takes a look at Zachary, his eyes hardening :
— Zachary.
— She asked, I answered, the cold boy shrugs.

The older boy sighs and then turns back to me with a closed expression :
— Come, let's go talk.

And just like that, we go to a room in the back of the mansion.
Lenny takes a deep breath and looks me in the eyes :
— I'm so sorry, Elara.

Wait— what...?
I blink once. Twice. And then I dare to ask :
— ...I wasn't actually wanted here ?

His eyes widen and he shakes his head :
— No, no, it's not like that ! I promise, you were wanted, and you still are. You're important here, Elara.

My heart clenches. I want to believe him, but after everything Zachary said...I can't bring myself to really trust him.

— Elara...I admit, I didn't find you by coincidence that day. I've known you for longer...

He takes a very big deep breath and then, with a lower voice, as if ashamed, he confesses :
— ...I was there that day, Elara. When your father died.

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