#Chapter 185: Part of the Family

Edwin After comforting Audrey for a little while, I eventually left her and made my way through the quiet house. I didn’t want to let her go, but I had a promise to keep, after all. I found Peter standing on the second-floor balcony, leaning against the railing and staring out into the night. The orange ember of a cigarette glowed in his mouth, and I watched as he flicked it over the railing and the ash got caught up in the wind below. “How many times do I have to tell you not to smoke?” My brother startled at the sound of my voice, shoulders stiffening, but didn’t respond, didn’t even turn to look at me. I stood there in the doorway for a moment after that, debating whether it was a silent order to leave him the hell alone or that he simply didn’t care if I was here. Finally, I cleared my throat. “Mind if I join you? Standing, I mean. Not smoking.” Peter shrugged without turning around. “Free country.” I stepped up beside him, mimicking his po