Chapter 546

"Ben!" I , turning to glare at him, kind of not believing that he's pushing Daphne to face her feelings for Rafe so bluntly.

"I mean, it's true," Ben says, turning to me.

"Daphne is allowed to make her own decisions on her own time!"

"Agreed,” Ben says, nodding and looking between us. "Until...well, until it gets unfair to Rafe. I mean, he's...he's pretty gone on you, Daphne. And trying really, really hard to be your boyfriend. If you don't want that..."

He pauses, and shrugs.

Daphne takes a deep breath and lets it out, heavy. "I have to tell him."

"Daphne," I say, my heart breaking a little for her, shaking my head. "Don't let Ben push you into things if you're not ready -"

"No, he's right," she says, straightening her shoulders. "I'm...I'm just being a coward. And cruel. Rafe has been so good to me and...I have to be fair." "Okay,” Ben says, nodding.

We're all quiet again for a long moment as my mouth pops open - as I realize that...what started out as a chocolate run has ended up in a plan to dump by brother.

"Bottoms up, chickens," Daphne says, quickly raising her glass to her mouth and emptying it before she gets determinedly to her feet.

"Wait," I say, going still, clinging to her hand. "Is this...is this happening right now!?"

"I think it has to, Ari," Daphne says, squeezing my hand and looking down at me. "While I'm determined and courageous enough to do it? I think it has to. Now that I know in my heart that I don't feel the same way about him...dragging it out would just be cruel."

I stare at her for a second before looking down at my mug of wine in shock.

And then I, too, raise it to my lips and drain it, thinking that I'm going to need a bit of courage as well.

"You really don't have to do this right now," Ben says, laying a hand on his heart and looking a little guilty. "I really didn't mean to push you, Daph –“

"No, I think...I think I've been looking for a push," she says with a sigh, tugging at her shirt so that it lays flat and neat. "Um, can we go?" she asks, looking up at us. "Before I talk myself out of it?"

"Okay," I say, standing and putting

my mug back on the little table, reaching out and taking her hand. Ben drains his own glass and the

three of us head out of her roommet

locking the door behind us and heading back upstairs in a much different mood than when we left. I hold Daphne's hand the whole time and she grips mine in return, I think grateful for it.

When we get back to the room, my family and my mates turn eagerly towards us, calling their greetings.

"Hey, where's the chocolate?" Jesse asks, frowning as he peers at all of our empty hands.

“We ate it all downstairs,” Ben says, casual, heading into the room as I stand with Daphne at the door, her hand still tight in mine. As Ben sits on the couch I look at Rafe to find his eyes already on us, a frown on his lips, sensing that the mood has...shifted.noveldrama

"Um, Rafe?" Daphne says, her voice shaking a little bit. She gestures hesitantly towards the door. "Do you think we could...have a chat?"

Luca grimaces quickly before looking back at his book and Jackson, I notice, is just studying. Completely oblivious.

“Sure, of course, Daphne," Rafe says, standing slowly and crossing the room to us. He shifts his eyes to our joined hands. "Are you...coming Ariel?"

I just shake

my head, a little scared to say anything, and give Daphne's hand one final squeeze before starting across the room. My heart aches, suddenly, my allegiances torn - because as much as I want to feel supportive of Daphne - she's about tébreak my brother's heart! And I can't do anything about it.

Feeling the sudden surge of my emotions, Jackson whips his head up and towards me, frowning fiercely.

"Give it a second," Luca murmurs,

reaching out and tapping Jacks on the arm. Jackson pauses, looking down at Luca's fingers as I move to the couch, sitting down next to Ben with a sigh. We all sit quietly as Daphne and Rafe move out of the room, going who knows where, and closing the door behind them.

After a long moment, Jesse breaks the long silence. "So...this isn't just about chocolate, is it?"

“All right!” Luca says, snapping his book shut and looking significantly at Jackson and Ben. “I think it's time for us non-Sinclairs to clear out."

“What's happening?" Jackson murmurs, looking around at all of us, baffled.

“Just...let's go, Jacks," Luca sighs, shaking his head. Ben gets up again, even though he just sat down, gathering this things as I curl into the pillows of the couch.