"It's okay. It happened so long ago now, and I'm perfectly okay talking about it. Anyway, it's now my turn to ask a question, right?"
He nods, scooting his body around slightly so that he can lean on his arm against the pillow as his eyes scan across my face and cause my cheeks to heat from the attention.
"What's made you sad recently?"
His eyes connect with mine and we stare at each other for a moment before he sighs and leans his head back, staring up at the ceiling.
"My sister, I guess."
"Well, that's not really an answer, is it?" I throw back at him, laughing when he playfully glares at me for copying what he said to me.
He smiles sadly at me and his brows draw together as his eyes drop to where my hands rest in my lap.
"When she was in here the other night, she got a lot off her chest, and honestly, everything she said makes complete sense to me. I realised that I haven't been a great brother to her in recent years because I've constantly been watching after Sophia. I guess I'm just disappointed in myself for not realising that Jess felt pushed aside and felt like she couldn't come to me anymore."
"That sounds tough, and I know I have no right to say anything because I don't really know any of you, but you're appointed as Sophia's bodyguard, right? So it makes sense that you've had to focus on her throughout the years. Although I do understand how Jess could've felt left out."
"Used to be, yeah," he sighs.
"Huh?"
"I used to be Sophia's bodyguard," he says, looking back up at me now. "That's the other reason I haven't completely been myself.Earlier when I was speaking to Sophia about everything with Jess, she delivered another blow to my already bruised chest. Not literally."
He pauses and shakes his head as a glossy film covers his eyes.
"She explained to me that Leo has taken up my position as Dom's second whilst I've been in the hospital and he'll continue to do so until I'm back to my usual self. Also, I'm no longer really needed as her bodyguard now that she's with Kaleb. I know she didn't tell me with the intention of hurting me, but honestly, my heart dropped to my stomach."
"Why?"
"Because for as long as I can remember, it's all I've ever known. I grew up, knowing that when Dominic took over for Michael, I'd be his second in command, and once I took on the role of Sophia's bodyguard, I thought it was a set thing. I felt important, you know? I felt like I was needed, and that I had a purpose, and now, I don't know, I guess I feel lost."
A tear drips down his cheek, and I reach forward to brush it away.
"Sorry," he mutters, wiping his own hands across his face to wipe away any remaining tears that started to fall.
"You don't need to apologise, Jaylen. It's okay to be upset," I tell him.
I gently place both my hands on either side of his face, cupping his jaw and turning him to face me.
"It's understandable for you to feel upset and to feel lost. You've had multiple bombs dropped on you while you're already in a vulnerable state, and I understand why you'd now be questioning everything, because as you said, everything you've ever known and planned forhas now changed and I guess you don't know what to do to change it, right?"
He shakes his head.
"Do you want to hear my suggestion?"
"Yeah. Hit me with it."
"You're probably not going to like what I have to say."
"Darling, no matter what you say, I'm going to like the sound of it because your voice is like music to my ears."
I blush and try to hide the smile that creeps onto my face.
"I think you need to focus on the things that you're capable of changing at the moment. Focus on what you currently have control of, for example, getting yourself better and healing. Alongside that, you can focus on mending your relationship with Jess."
"I don't know if that's possible."
"It is," I tell him. "Firstly, she's your sister. No matter what happens or how many times siblings fall out, there's always a way to fix things, and I know that you're determined enough to figure it out. It might take some time, but if you really want to sort things out, you'll be able to do it."
