CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR - THE LAST THING LEFT

  The tension in the room was palpable. Justin tightened his grip on Nia's hand. "Please, Nia? I don't want to be alone for this." Nia looked between the two brothers, torn. Finally, she sighed. "I'm sorry, Leon. Can we reschedule? Justin needs me." Leon's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "Of course. Justin's health comes first. We'll do it another time." As Leon left, the hurt in his eyes was unmistakable. Nia felt a pang of guilt, which only intensified when she noticed the triumphant glint in Justin's eye. This pattern continued over the next few weeks. Justin always seemed to find a reason to need Nia - a new exercise he was struggling with, anxiety over test results, or simply claiming he felt better when she was around. Nia, compassionate to a fault, found it hard to say no, especially when Justin looked at her with those vulnerable eyes. Leon, meanwhile, became increasingly distant. His visits became shorter, his demeanor more professional. Nia felt the growing rift k