Summer kills

He was judging her.

And she'd done nothing wrong.

Evelyn couldn't help but notice the butler's disapproving gaze. She had never seen him angry or displeased before, but there was something different about him today. He had that stern, unwavering look that meant business, and she couldn't help but feel like he was siding with Ruby's father.

As she watched the sliding door close behind them, she couldn't help but wonder what they were discussing, and what role the butler played in their conversation. She knew he had been with Ruby's family for years and that he was very loyal to them. But today was different. Today, it felt as though the butler saw her as a threat to their perfect world.

Shaking those thoughts from her head, Evelyn knelt down beside Maddie, who was still sitting lifelessly on the ground.

"Maddie, are you okay?" she asked softly, gently hitting her friend's cheek to gauge her responsiveness.

Maddie flinched and looked up at her, her eyes red-rimmed and watery. "No..." she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I... I don't know what to do right now. I'm so scared."

Evelyn hugged her tightly, trying to comfort her friend as they both watched Jaxon, who had finally pulled away from the edge of the pool and was now sitting alone on the steps. He looked terrified and defeated, his hands shaking desperately as he held onto the sides.

"I... I don't know what happened," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "All I remember is that we got into an argument, and the next thing I knew, I was... I was swimming. And then... I saw Liam."

His face twisted in pain and confusion, Jaxon's eyes darted around the yard, searching for an escape.

Evelyn knew he wasn't a bad person, but she was angry at what had happened to her brother.

"You attacked him, Jaxon," she said, her voice steady in spite of the fear that still lingered in the air. "You knew better than to let your temper get the best of you. We all did."

Jaxon sighed, rubbing his bloodied knuckles. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I lost control. I didn't mean to hurt him."

Maddie, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up for the first time. "You started it, Jaxon," she said, her voice quivering. "You always do."

Evelyn knew Maddie was right.

Jaxon had a temper that could explode at any moment, but Maddie was right to call him out. He had been the one to bring up Olivia's name in the first place, and now look where they were.

Ruby's father had left them to discuss the mess they had made. Evelyn wondered what they were saying to him. They would need to find a way to fix everything that had happened.

"Come on," Evelyn said, standing up and helping Maddie to her feet. "We need to figure out what to do next."

Maddie nodded, but she looked pale and shaky. Evelyn knew they needed to get her to a doctor as soon as possible. Jaxon's attack had left them all shaken, and they needed to make sure Liam was okay.

As they walked towards the house, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. They had messed up, and she feared the repercussions would be severe.

The estate loomed large in front of them, its grandeur contrasting sharply with the chaos that had unfolded. The garden, usually a sanctuary of tranquility, felt oppressive today. The meticulously manicured hedges seemed to close in on them, and the vibrant blooms that once brought joy now felt like silent witnesses to their turmoil.

Evelyn's mind raced as they approached the house. The butler's stern face haunted her thoughts. His disapproving gaze was more than just a look; it was a sentence. He had always been the silent guardian of the family's secrets, but today he seemed more like a judge ready to pass a harsh verdict.

The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and freshly cut grass, a stark reminder of the world outside their bubble of distress. Birds chirped innocently, oblivious to the human drama unfolding below. Evelyn's heart ached with the weight of their mistakes, and she felt an overwhelming urge to escape, to find a place where the air wasn't so stifling with guilt and fear.

Maddie stumbled slightly as they walked, and Evelyn tightened her grip on her friend's arm. The sunlight filtering through the trees cast dappled shadows on Maddie's pale face, highlighting her exhaustion and fear. Evelyn knew that getting Maddie to a doctor was urgent, but she also knew that facing the consequences of their actions couldn't be delayed.

Jaxon trailed behind them, his shoulders slumped in defeat. His usually confident stride was replaced by a hesitant shuffle. He kept glancing back at the pool, as if expecting to see Liam's ghost rising from the water. The silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken accusations and regret.

As they reached the back door, Evelyn hesitated. The threshold felt like a boundary between their past mistakes and the uncertain future. She could hear voices inside - the butler's calm, measured tones and Ruby's father's more authoritative commands. They were discussing the incident, no doubt trying to piece together the chaotic fragments of what had happened.

Evelyn took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The cool interior of the house was a stark contrast to the warm afternoon outside. The marble floors gleamed under the chandelier's light, and the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers filled the air. It was a place designed to impress and intimidate, and today, it did both.

Ruby's father turned to face them as they entered. His stern expression did not soften upon seeing their disheveled state. The butler stood a few steps behind him, his face unreadable but eyes sharp with judgment.

Evelyn squared her shoulders, trying to muster some semblance of courage. "We need to get Maddie to a doctor," she said, her voice steady but tinged with urgency.

Ruby's father nodded curtly. "The car is ready. We'll discuss everything else after she's seen to."

Evelyn felt a small surge of relief. At least they were being given a chance to tend to Maddie first. She guided her friend towards the front of the house, Jaxon trailing silently behind them.

The butler's gaze followed them as they moved, a silent reminder that their actions were under scrutiny. Evelyn knew they couldn't undo what had happened, but they could try to make amends. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges, but they had to face it together, one step at a time.