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"But I know you're a fault line, but I'll break too

Crackin' at the same time, does it shock you?
When I'm down, I fall back into you, it happens
I know you're a fault line, but I'll break too, mm

I'll break too"

Fault Line - Gracie Abrams

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Chapter Fourteen:

< James >

That night, I had just finished showering and was about to exit the bathroom when I overheard Lydia talking. I couldn't tell who she was speaking to, so I pressed my ear to the door, hoping to catch a word or two. All I could hear were her whispered murmurs.

"I shouldn't be talking to you. James... would lose his mind. But I just feel so alone here. I tried to talk to Cyril, I didn't tell him about us. But I think he has a feeling. He hasn't looked at me the same since." Her voice grew louder with each word.

"I know, Graham, I miss you too. I wish you could come here. If I knew where here was." Lydia's voice dropped back to a whisper as she hung up the phone.

I was a fool... I shouldn't have given her the phone back.I walked out of the bathroom, shaking my head and reaching out with the hand not holding up my towel. "I don't even know what to say to you," I said, barely able to meet her eyes.

"James, Graham would never put our lives in danger!" Lydia argued.

"It's not him, Lydia, it's whoever our families think is tracking our phones! The second you turned it on, the GPS could be tracked to exactly where we are. Do you understand that!" I yelled. I heard Everly coming upstairs to check on the chaos.

"James, it was a five-minute conversation. I always turn it off right after we talk," Lydia tried to reassure me.

"It takes thirty seconds to track a GPS location, Lydia. Do you think we're here on vacation? Everly has a target on her back, and all you care about is your professor boyfriend! I know Cyril knows, I just know it. Whether he's come to terms with it yet, I may never know. But you have to get your life together. I'm not going to pick up the pieces again when you mess up. Everly and I can't keep cleaning up your messes." I reprimanded her as Everly wrapped her arms around me, trying to calm me down.

"James," she said, looking up at me. "She's sorry... let it go. It's too late now anyway. Lyds, go get dressed for the party. James and I need to talk." Everly gently but firmly pushed Lydia out of the room for her own good.

"Everly... I heard her talking to Professor Sutton. She turned her phone back on," I said, collapsing on our bed in my towel. She laid down next to me, giving me a soft loving stare.

"James, she loves him. We do absolutely insane things for the people we love. Would you not agree?" Everly ran her fingers soothingly down my back.

"I do. I've done absolutely bonkers things for you, Evie," I said, laughing at the thought.

"See? And I'll admit... my decisions regarding what I'd do to protect you, James, were slightly mental." She teased me.

"But that's what falling in love is like. It's blinding in the best and worst ways." Everly had this way about her, every word she spoke, every look we shared felt like scripture. She was so wise and mature for her age, I don't think she even realized it at times. Her life had forced her into that mindset, making it second nature.

"True, but Lydia could've chosen anyone else... anyone our age. My parents... oh God, when they find out," I said, turning over in bed, staring at the ceiling like it was about to come down on top of us any second.

"Well, for the time being, we're still in our own oasis. Let's take advantage of it before the cavalry comes to get us," Evie whispered, placing a kiss on my shoulder.

"I can think of a great use of our free time," I said, pulling her into my bare chest. "My knee's almost made a full recovery," I assured her, tugging on the strap of her bra that had fallen down her shoulder.

"Hmm, we'll have to celebrate that later. Right now, I need your help slipping into the petticoat for this dress," Everly said, admiring her gown hanging on the wardrobe door. She got up, dropping my dress shirt off her shoulders.

"You're killing me, you know..." I sighed, admiring her shape as she stood in front of the gown in her lingerie. Everly looked over her shoulder at me, pieces of her wavy brunette hair falling out of her messy updo.

"It will be worth the wait," she laughed as she unlaced the bodice of the dress.

"Like I wrote in the note, it was made for you... two hundred years before you could wear it." I stared at her, admiring every curve of her figure.

Everly Calloway was the girl of my dreams, and I was the only one she'd ever let see this side of her. We'd been through the ringer... and the thing is, life hadn't gotten easier. We'd just learned to manage it... and I've learned to roll with the many punches, more physically than metaphorically lately.

"Do you think... we've been together in every life?" Everly asked. I couldn't help but ponder the same question. There was something about her that felt familiar from the first day we met, as if she had always been an important part of my life, even before I saw her for the first time. That type of instant connection had to span lifetimes.

"I do. In one way or another, I believe we have. In at least one life, I was probably chasing after you, while my feelings were unrequited. You might have ended up with a man like Jasper..." I shuddered at the thought. Everly shook her head and smiled at me.

"Oh James, you told me you were good at games. Well, I'm better." Everly raised her eyebrows as she put the corset on. I slipped the petticoat over her head, still puzzled by what she meant.

"Wait..." I said as I laced up the back of the corset. "Are you saying..." I stopped mid-sentence, realizing what she meant.

"Jasper Wellington was never my type, James. I like blondes, remember?" Eve smirked at me as she turned to face me.

"You did that to make me jealous?" I asked, shocked as she draped her arms around my neck.

"I saw you with Ellie at Cyril's the night I met Jasper. And I was just so broken up about my mum leaving. I don't know...something in me just snapped. I'm not proud of my behavior...I'm not the jealous type. Well at least not openly. But I couldn't help it...you and I had just spent the last few nights together. Alone in my room, you were the first person to show up when I needed you in the dead of night. I just couldn't admit it to myself yet but James...I wanted you so bad. I looked at Jasper as my opportunity to see if you felt the same. But I couldn't admit any of this to myself. I told myself Jasper was a distraction from my actual life but he only made it all worse." Everly said, her words of admission making me have to hide my smile.

"Who would've thought... Well, it worked. Seeing you with Jasper was a feeling I never want to experience again. Oh God...you know the whole reason I invited you to Cyril's was because I wanted to see. I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible, everyone knew I was hooked. And I may have invoked a college wide no touch rule. But Jasper clearly didn't listen to that. Alistair and I were talking when I saw you two kiss for the first time. That gutted feeling has to be the worst thing I've ever experienced. Losing you is something I physically can't handle again Eve." I sighed. Everly placed her hands on my face and smiled at me.

"You won't... we're locked down," she said, staring into my eyes for the first time with such a sureness, it made any fears I had disappear.

"Don't look at me like that; it will take twenty minutes for me to get that corset off you," I said, our noses grazing one another.

"Well, in that case, you should go get dressed yourself. The boys are in the study picking out their wardrobe. I think your suit is in there. I'll finish getting dressed and see how Lydia's doing," Everly said. I left the room and walked down the steps, finding the boys in the study. Alistair was sitting on the desk that only a few hours ago Everly was laying across, naked. I couldn't help but blush as I walked into the room.

"Boys..." I said as Alistair looked at me, confused.

"What is that face for?" he asked. I tried to hide my smirk. All I could picture was me on top of her in multiple compromising positions, using an office desk in ways it was not intended for. Then I realized something—my girlfriend's bra was on the ground in the corner by the door. Unfortunately, Kesh picked it up before I had the chance to intercept it.

"Chanel No. 5 perfume on a Chanel bra... I can guess whose it is and what you two were up to in here a few hours ago when you disappeared," he laughed. Alistair looked down at the desk he was leaning against and shook his head, removing his hand from the top of it. I grabbed the bra from Kesh and slide it into my pants pocket with a smirk.

"Is there anywhere in this house you two haven't been naked in during the past 24 hours?" Alistair sighed.

"Can you blame us? Nothing gets you hotter than being on the run. It's like witness protection," I couldn't help but laugh. Then I turned my attention to Cyril, who wasn't laughing. "Alright, grumpy, what's the problem? Didn't you and my sister sleep together last night? Maybe don't answer that," I said, grossing myself out at the thought.

"No, we didn't," he said bluntly. "I went into her room to talk. We did everything but talk about us. I fell asleep there," he sighed. "I think she has someone else." Cyril looked at me, waiting for confirmation. Alistair looked at me too, but for a different reason. He was waiting to see if I had the heart to tell Cyril the truth about who it was.

"Cyril... we should talk..." I started but was interrupted by Wren in the doorway, needing help with his bowtie. Honestly, I was relieved. I knew this conversation wasn't going to go well. We all finished getting ready, and before we knew it, it was time for the party to begin.

I walked into the dining room, illuminated by candles casting light against the walls. It was beautiful, with lace tablecloths and drinking goblets, just like a real Victorian ball. Lydia's Polaroid cameras on the table added a modern touch. All the girls began descending the master staircase, and it felt like the world stopped when I saw mine.

Her chocolate-brown hair was in a bun, with curls falling from it. The corset sleeves were off her shoulders, showcasing her "J" necklace dangling around her neck. As she glided down the steps, everyone was captivated by Everly's effortless beauty. I met her at the steps, taking her hand.

"I am speechless. You look beautiful," I finally managed to say. She blushed as she stared at me.

"You look very handsome as well, Mr. Beaufort," she laughed as I helped her into the living room.

"Now, let's get this party started, shall we!" Alistair cheered as he started his playlist. This party had all the makings of a wonderful night, forcing us to forget about anything that could or would happen tomorrow. It's always in the moments we let ourselves forget when things really go wrong.

Everly and I were in the kitchen fetching more drinks when the doorbell rang. "Could be Grandfather making an appearance. I wouldn't be surprised after how I disobeyed him. He's probably in shock that I have defiance in me," Evie laughed.

"Really? I've never known you to follow orders before," I teased, staring at her with an adoration I never thought possible.

"Not from you, at least, Beaufort." Everly's lips were inches from mine.

The moment dissolved as quickly as my hope for a good night when I heard Ellie's voice. "Alistair, I haven't seen you in ages. The second your letter came to our parents, I intercepted it. Couldn't let you have all the fun now, could I?" Ellie declared as I peeked out of the doorway. Everly watched in frustration.

"Ellie, do you have any idea how dangerous this is? No one is supposed to know where we are. What if you were followed? Do our parents know?" Alistair reprimanded her.

"Relax, big brother. Of course they know. I told them you asked for me in the letter," she chuckled, admitting her lie.

"But I didn't. I specifically asked them not to show you the letter for this very reason," he sighed.

"Don't worry, I promise I'll be good this time," she lied again.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it now. It's not like I can call our parents to pick you up. A letter would take days to reach them. So, you win," Alistair conceded as he walked into the kitchen looking for more liquor.

"I had nothing to do with this," Alistair put his hands up, pleading for Everly to believe him. She sighed and nodded.

"I know. It's time Ellie and I had a real talk anyway," she said, kissing me before walking out of the kitchen to find her.

"That is not going to go in anyone's favor," Alistair remarked, staring at me.

"As long as they stay in the house, nothing truly awful can happen," I reassured, just as the back door opened and I heard their voices disappear into the darkness of the yard.

"You were saying..." Alistair sighed, grabbing the bottle of vodka and unscrewing the cap. "I'm drinking for all of us tonight." His demeanor was concerning.

"Maybe Ellie will apologize," I suggested, causing Alistair to laugh at my delusion.

"Ellie has never been sorry about anything in her life. She's my sister; I know her better than anyone. She's had her sights set on you since grade school. Losing you to Everly isn't just a failure to her; it's not even a possibility in her mind. She still thinks she can win you back." Alistair's explanation of Ellie's mindset was disturbing and made me realize I needed to check on their conversation. I was about to head outside when I noticed it was pouring. A storm of epic proportions had rolled in, and the chandelier lights were beginning to flicker in every room.

"Where is Evie?" I inquired, noticing Ellie was chatting with Cyril in the study.

"Not sure. I thought she was grabbing more liquor from the cellar," Ellie replied without missing a beat.

"I saw you two go outside. Are you saying when you came back in, she went to the cellar?" I questioned.

"Yes, we talked, and when it started to rain, we came back in. All is well, James. Don't worry." Ellie's reassurance was bone-chilling in the worst way possible.

"Evie! Everly!" I heard Lydia shouting, as if she was looking for my girlfriend too. The back door opened, and I sprinted into the dining room. My sister was standing outside in the pouring rain, looking at something.I ran out and approached her. Before I could ask Lydia what she was looking at, I saw it: a pair of shoes with splatters of blood on them, washing away in the rain.

"Those are Ellie's," I murmured, remembering she was barefoot in the study.

"I found this in the grass, James," Lydia's tone was horrifying as she handed me Everly's initial necklace I had given her. The chain had blood on it too. The clasp was snapped off in the back, like it had been yanked off her neck. My blood ran ice-cold as images of what could've occurred came to life in my head.

"Call everyone to the dining room. I'm gonna look for the house manager," I instructed as calmly as I could. Freaking out was not how I was going to find her as fast as possible. I ran to the guest house where the staff was, but the house manager was gone. Something felt off. I hurried back to the main house, only to find the power out.

The rain was coming down hard, lightning the only thing illuminating the night. "Everly is gone. There's blood all over your shoes Ellie. And Lydia found her necklace in backyard, the clasp snapped like someone yanked it off her neck." I couldn't look at her. Alistair spat out his martini, looking at his sister with disappointment.

"I was with Ellie. She walked inside with Everly, and I grabbed her to have a drink with me in the study," Cyril made direct eye contact with me, lying to his best friend. Ellie smiled up at him, and Lydia's heart shattered on sight.

"My girlfriend is missing. I want someone to tell me where the fuck she is, because the next time I ask, it won't be this calm," I demanded, looking at everyone. Lin started to cry, looking at Ellie.

"I saw you two; you weren't just talking in the yard. You walked up to the woods. What did you do to her? Ellie, you were never going to win James. He doesn't love you, and this was certainly not the way to keep him in your life," Lin cried as she ran upstairs in hysterics.

"You went into the woods?" I accused Ellie as I ripped off my jacket. I was soaked from being out in the rain, but I didn't care. I just needed to find Everly, and I had a feeling the more time I wasted talking, the less time she had.

"We talked. It may not have gone perfectly, but we did talk. Everly and I will never agree on the way things happened. But for what it's worth, maybe deep down she agreed with me and ran. Maybe she's realized she'll never quite be what you need, James," Ellie sighed.

"Ellie, you left your shoes outside in the rain for a reason. What have you done?" I demanded, looking at Alistair. I felt like I couldn't breathe the longer I stayed in her presence.

"Ellie, if you want me to have anything to do with you ever again, you will tell James what the fuck happened to his girlfriend!" Alistair shouted at her. Cyril intervened, and at that moment, I officially thought to myself that my sister was better off with our professor.

"They came back in together, James. Maybe she's right. Maybe Everly finally just disappeared; she tends to do that. You know that better than anyone, don't you?" he suggested. I was so furious that one of my best friends was trying to convince me that my girlfriend had run off and broken up with me. Lydia shook her head at him.

"Shame on you, Cyril. Everly was the first person to root for you, and this is how you treat her. Everly isn't just James's girlfriend. We've all known her since birth. She's our girl; she's my best friend. And when we find her, I'll make sure you both burn for this," Lydia declared as she walked back into the yard.I chased after my sister and found her collapsed in the grass, hysterical.

"This feels like my fault, James. I'm so scared," Lydia cried as I hugged her.

"It's not your fault," I reassured her, going over everything that had just happened.

"We'll find her. Evie is brilliant; remember that," I said, making my sister laugh.

"I know, she would've already found you if this had been a reverse situation," Lydia laughed through her tears.

"That's true. I went into the guest house to alert the house manager, and she wasn't there. None of her staff was," I mentioned, shrugging my shoulders with confusion.

"Was she dropped off?" Lydia questioned me about how Ellie got here.

"I'm guessing. I don't see any cars in the drive," I replied.

"Who dropped her off, James?" Lydia's question sent chills down my spine.

"Lydia, are you saying..." I stuttered, praying I wasn't thinking the same thing my twin sister was. But the twin telepathy had gotten us again.

"Whatever led to Everly disappearing may not have to do with Ellie. She may have just been the accomplice," Lydia suggested.

"Jasper..." I whispered back to her.

"If I'm right, then it is my fault. That stupid video of me making out with Professor Sutton. I should've just let him post it. Then at least I could be happy with Graham," Lydia cried.

"Sutton seems like a better choice than Cyril, I will admit," I sighed, feeling bad for yelling at her earlier. "I'm sorry for before, Lydia. I should've let you explain. Who am I to tell you who to love? I would burn this place down for Everly, and I literally might have to. When this is over and we get home to Mum and Dad, I'll do whatever I can to keep your secret safe until we graduate," I promised, hugging her. Lydia hugged me back, turning her attention to the woods.

"She's gotta be out there, James. Go get our girl. I'll be right behind you after I round up Alistair Kesh and Wren. I should also have a conversation with Cyril. He's taking his anger out on everyone but the person who deserves it," Lydia insisted.

"Lydia, it doesn't matter what happens next. I can't trust him anymore. He lied for Ellie, and it cost me time to find the one person, besides you, who makes this life bearable. Once again, I've let her down." Tears started to fall down my face, but it was raining so hard I couldn't tell.

"Don't worry. You'll find her. Go now and take this," Lydia urged, handing me the only flashlight she could find. "The brightness of the light should help cut through the rain," she sighed as she ran back into the house. I took off for the woods without another thought.

"Everly!" I cried out, the echo of her name bouncing through the relentless rain-soaked woods as I ran. Each step felt heavier with the weight of desperation knowing she was out there, possibly fighting for her life. Lightning sporadically lit the path ahead, offering brief glimpses of hope amid the darkness.

As I pressed deeper into the woods, a shadow loomed ahead. Praying it was Everly, I strained to see through the downpour. The figure charged toward me, ready to defend itself.

"Everly! Everly! It's me!" I shouted, my heart racing until my flashlight finally revealed her silhouette. Relief washed over me as I realized it was indeed Everly, but my relief turned to anguish as I saw her injuries.

Everly staggered into my arms, her dress stained with blood and dirt, her voice barely audible. "James," she murmured weakly. I held her tightly, overwhelmed by the sight of her condition.

"It's okay... I'm fine," she insisted, her voice fading. Despite her reassurances, I knew she wasn't. Her breathing was shallow, bruises visible on her neck where her necklace had been torn away.

"I know, but let me carry you," I urged gently, knowing she was too weak to continue on her own. As I lifted her, she spoke softly, her words a blur of confusion and pain.

The realization hit me swiftly as I noticed blood seeping through the bodice of her dress. "Eve, Everly..." I kept my voice calm, not wanting to alarm her. "What happened?" I inquired, hoping she could recall some details.

"Ellie and I... I tried to reason with her. Oh..." Everly's breathing was strained with pain, each word a struggle. She trembled in my arms from both cold and injury.

"Eve, save your strength. I'll ask questions, just nod," I urged gently, touching the bruise on her shoulder. She winced.

"James, I don't think she meant to hurt me. We argued... about Jasper. She thinks I don't deserve you. I didn't argue with that, but I told her we love each other, and I won't leave you," Everly explained haltingly. "I was playing with my necklace around my neck as we spoke. Ellie got frustrated, lashing out that it belonged to her, that you did and yanked it off my neck. I lost my balance and fell back... I don't remember everything. It's blurry. I woke up on the ground, tried to get up... but I couldn't. The rain was heavier then. That's when I realized... I must have fallen down a hill." She winced again, holding herself.

"She didn't mean for this to happen. She's wrong, but she didn't intend to harm me," Everly continued, her hazel eyes losing color. "James, how bad is it?"

"Just a few cuts and bruises... We'll take care of you when we get home," I reassured her, though I knew the situation was more serious.

"I just want to rest... for a moment," Everly murmured, her body weakening.

"Not yet, darling. Talk to me... Tell me more. What did Ellie say about Jasper?" I prompted, trying to keep her engaged.

"She brought him up because of Cyril. She mentioned what she told Alistair... about..." Everly struggled to focus through the pain. "She lied about the letter. She never got his letter. She found out where we were from Cyril. He wrote to Jasper for some reason. I'm not sure why... I can't remember. I'm sorry," Everly whispered as I carried her toward the house. The darkness hanging over it felt deeper than just a power outage—a betrayal that would change our lives forever.

"Evie!" Lydia shouted as she ran out of the dining room door. The rain hadn't let up, but her flashlight illuminated us. As she got closer, she saw the horrifying sight: her best friend, hurt and bleeding. I caught Lydia's eyes, urging her not to react strongly. I needed to keep Everly calm to assess her condition.

"Help me get her inside," I urged my sister.

"The lines are down everywhere," Lydia said, indicating even her phone she wasn't supposed to be using wasn't working.

"Alright then," I replied, trying to stay calm as I carried Everly to the couch. She was shivering from her soaked clothes. While Lydia fetched something warm, I checked her over using only candles and a flashlight.

"Did you hit your head?" I asked, noticing the bruises on Everly's neck. It seemed the necklace had been ripped off with such force that she fell back, possibly hitting a tree and rolling in the mud.

"I think so," she sighed, placing her hand on the back of her head. "Is it still bleeding?" Eve asked as I inspected the spot.

I nodded with a sigh. "We'll clean it up. First, let's get you out of those wet clothes," I said, starting to undo the corset of her dress.

"I've ruined this dress," Evie sighed.

"We've got enough polaroids of you in it. It'll be a great memory," I assured her. She grimaced as I pulled off the corset, pressing her hand against her side.

"I fell on my side. How bad?" My girlfriend who spent most of her free time volunteering at our college clinic asked. Evie knew...but she wanted to see if I'd lie to her. 

"I think you might have a few broken ribs. But we'll make you comfortable. I know how awful that feels," I said, helping her finish getting dressed in the nightshirt Lydia handed me. Her legs were covered in cuts and bruises.

"I'm still freezing," Everly shivered as I wrapped blankets around her. Lydia cleaned the cut on her head and patched it up. Looking at the state Everly was in, I was having a hard time not completely losing it right in front of her. Lydia noticed and tried to reason with me.

"Let me stay with her. You go take a lap," Lydia ordered, noticing Everly's condition wasn't improving. "She might run a fever; she's been out in the cold all night, James. I've got this. Go take a lap before you put your fist through the glass table."

I nodded, kissing Everly's head before leaving the room. "She's burning up," I said as Lydia pulled out Tylenol and a thermometer.

"James, go..." she urged me. I found myself in the study with Cyril.

"James... did you find her?" Cyril asked.

"Did I find her? Did I find her?" I repeated, laughing bitterly. "Would you and Jasper have rather I didn't?" I approached Cyril, and he tensed up.

"James, I can explain," Cyril mumbled.

"No need... I've learned everything I need to. When this is over and we return to London, you will not speak to me again," I said, about to leave the room.

"James, you have to understand how sorry I am. I just...I couldn't handle it. After talking to Lydia the other night in her room, she seemed so removed from the idea of us working on things," Cyril pleaded with me. "Then when I heard Jasper had a photo of her caught kissing someone else, I thought if I could write to Jasper and get the photo, maybe I could understand why she moved on or beat the kid to a pulp that she was caught kissing. It was stupid. I never intended for Ellie to show up. I lied for her because...she told me Jasper had given her the pictures. But when you left to go look for Everly, she told me she didn't have them." He sighed. "I was played."

"Cyril, what do you want me to say? Poor you?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Lydia doesn't love you anymore... and after what you've done, I'll make sure there's not a chance in hell that she ever does. You still don't get it, do you?" I yelled, jabbing my finger against his chest. "My girlfriend is seriously hurt, and you played a part in it. You're supposed to be my best friend, Cyril. Your self-destructive behavior was one thing when it was just drinking and partying." I sighed, staring at him. 

"But this...hurting me by reaching out to Jasper...you've truly surprised me in the worst way. You understand how selfish what you did is? You risked all our safety by sending that letter to Jasper. And you only did it because you were so angry Lydia had moved on. You needed to see the photos for yourself. Everly watched Jasper delete them because she protects my sister, like family. Outside of all the bullshit our families have put us through, Cyril...we were supposed to be family. You wanted to see the photo so badly, you needed to know who the man was Lydia chose over you. Well, I can now firmly say he's a much better man than you'll ever be. And you won't find out until my sister wants to share that information. And now that you and Lydia are done, Cyril...you and I are too."

I shook my head in disgust as I walked out of the room to find Alistair. We had barely been in this house for a week, yet the revelations unfolding were straight out of a horror movie, with my girlfriend cast as the final girl. I couldn't take much more.