Chapter 105

"I have unwavering faith in you. Now, it's time for you to believe in yourself as well. I know just how strong you truly are, but now you need to embrace that strength." He gently brushed his lips against my temple before releasing me, shifting his focus to the backs of the houses lining the street. 

An unsettling sensation washed over me; something felt very wrong. At the end of the road, Steve turned right and drove a few blocks toward a parking lot. He parked the van and turned off the engine. I glanced at Connor, and though he exchanged a meaningful look with Steve, I couldn't discern what it was about. Then he turned his gaze to Xavier, and their eyes locked for several intense minutes.

"Brother," Steve finally said, breaking the silence.

"Brother," Xavier and I echoed in unison.

Steve's attention then shifted to me, and I could see sympathy radiating from his eyes, but only for a fleeting moment.

"Are you sure?" he asked gently, his tone lace