We Shall Rise Read Free Page A

internal buzzer rang repeatedly every time her body stirred at the sight of Kaden’s jade eyes, broad chest and devastating smile. She was tired of all the warnings. She knew there was more to him than the bad seed everyone else saw, but Kaden made it so hard to see the good in him. Some days, she struggled to remember that there was more to Kaden than the bad boy façade he presented. No matter how hard she tried, she could not force Kaden to step out from behind the shadows and welcome the light. It was ultimately his choice, but he always seemed to make the wrong ones.
    “Jules, I wish I could help him, but I can’t if he won’t help himself. I just think it’s a waste. He has so much to offer, but he refuses to see it and I can’t make him see. If he chooses willful blindness, then I have to choose to let go. I can’t get caught up in his destructiveness. I have too many people who depend on me including a very impressionable daughter. I can’t devote everything to him at the expense of everything and everyone else. Not if he’s not willing to try. I just wish you could help him, Jules. You’re brothers. Blood brothers. I would give my life, my soul, my world for my sister, Lina. We do not share blood, but we share a bond of love no blood relation could exceed. I know he’s hurt you, but I also see how much he regrets it and wants to make amends with you if you would allow it.”
    Julian’s flustered blue eyes focused on Reysa’s. “Amends? Are you serious? As soon as I let him in, he will just destroy the little life I have left. He’s spent a lifetime trying to ruin me. I’m not going to make it easy for him to strip me of everything. Kaden is a disease that spreads and continues to gnaw at you year after year until all you have left is the incurable disease and no desire to survive anymore. The disease won’t kill you, but it will make you want to die just to escape it. I’ve been infected for 164 years and I’m not sure how much longer I can survive my brother’s poison.”
    His pained words horrified a shaken Reysa. Her eyes were fighting back tears she was too proud to let escape. “Don’t feel sorry for me Reysa. I’ve spent years pitying myself and I’ve hurt myself in the process. Just do me the favor of saving yourself from Kaden. Stay strong and fight whatever feelings you think you may have for him. Please don’t allow him to infect you with this disease. Don’t end up a miserable mess like me. Do that for me.”
    It felt like a tug of war for her heart, and with every passing moment, it splintered further as she struggled to balance her new, but cherished friendship with Julian and her unstoppable yearning for Kaden. She would have to fight this unwelcomed need for Kaden for the sake of all she loved and herself. She leaned into Julian resting her head on his shoulder. “I wish things could have been different for you and him. My heart breaks for you two. I will try to do as you ask, but I’m asking you to do something for me as well. Forgive him. Not for him, but for you. That’s the only way your soul will find peace. Kaden is not the disease you’re trying to survive. It’s the bitterness and resentment you feel that’s hurting you. Trust me I know this. Those negative emotions eat away at you until there’s nothing left and you can’t even see happiness when it’s staring you right in the face. The only cure for this is forgiveness. You’ll never forget what he’s done nor do you have to pretend like the past never happened, but you can’t continue to allow those past memories to destroy your present and future. Kaden can’t hurt you Jules. Only you can hurt yourself.”
    Reysa expected Julian to push her away, but he didn’t move. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder as they sat in silence. The only sounds were the crickets chirping and the other creatures of the night stirring.
    After several minutes of quiet, Julian broke the silence, “I don’t know