Princess

Chapter 44: Brothers

Damon

All eyes shot to my sister.

She just she stared back in terrified silence. Her mouth hung open, though no noise escaped her lips.

There was no way. It couldn't be. My baby sister. The girl who ran around with two braids in her hair until age 14 even when boys would tease her for it. The girl who loved with so much heart. The girl who loved her family and would do anything for them.

No.

It was a moment before anyone could speak.

"No," she whispered weakly, collapsing onto a chair behind her.

My father's voice was weak and distressed when he said, "There's no way. There's something wrong with your information."

"It's not possible," I emphasized. "It is literally impossible."

"I didn't do this, I would never do this," she repeated while Christian kneeled beside her. "I didn't hurt your sister. She's my best friend. I didn't do—"

"I know that, Robyn. You don't have to tell me," Christian interrupted. "I know you wouldn't do that."

"I don't know why... I don't. I didn't—" Her breath quickened, but he pulled her hands away from her face, cupping it gently.

"Look at me, baby," he said sternly. Her eyes flickered to his amid tears. "You don't have to justify yourself. I know you didn't hurt her. You couldn't even if you tried."

She covered her mouth with her palm, looking at him with terrified eyes.

"So, someone hacked in with Robyn's credentials?" Christian turned back to Brent.

He shook his head solemnly. "It says it's been accessed from her personal devices. According to this, she was the one who downloaded floor plans, secure files, etc. There's a lot of information that was retrieved from it. It... it doesn't look good."

I closed my eyes.

There was no fucking way this was happening right now.

"Robyn." My voice was stern and as level as I could keep it. She looked at me, tears streaming down her face. Christian rubbed her back and her shoulders relaxed a little.

There was no way my sister was involved in this.

She was Robyn Hale–too sweet, too gentle, too pure for her own good.

The girl who believed in love at first sight, forever, and brought happiness into every room she walked into. The girl who baked cinnamon rolls, painted like a pro, and loved sunflowers.

"Damon," she started. "Please believe me—"

I raised a hand and cut her off, because it was preposterous that she would need to even defend herself.

"Christian is right. I believe you, sweet girl. I know you didn't do anything. But I need you to focus. I need you to think. Has anything been off recently?"

She shook her head, brows furrowed together in thought.

"Has anyone touched your things? Anything out of the ordinary? Anything, Robyn. Please think."

She shook her head again. "Who would use my stuff? Just me, or you, or­­–"

My sister froze.

"Oh my God," she breathed.

"Robyn, a name. Now," I demanded.

She looked up at me with incredulous eyes. She didn't even need to say it. I knew exactly who it is.