I didn’t sleep after Noah’s words.

You’re not just our stepsister anymore.

They kept turning over in my head while the storm faded into steady rain and the house slowly went quiet. Liam and Jace had gone upstairs not long after Noah. Doors closed. The television switched off. Eventually even the rain softened to a light tap against the windows. I lay in the dark in the guest room, staring at the ceiling, pulse still too fast, replaying the look on Noah’s face when he said it.

A little after one I gave up.

I needed water. Or air. Or simply to stop lying still with his voice in my...