Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
But amidst the opulence and grandeur, tiny details reveal a softer side to the mansion. Cat figurines dotting shelves, niche paintings adorning walls, and the absence of pretentious statues all embody Aunt Elsa’s influence in adding warmth to the house. Her efforts to make the place feel more like a home rather than just a lavish estate speaks volumes about this family. These subtle touches make the mansion feel lived-in, loved-in, and not just another lifeless symbol of wealth and power.
Growing up, I often wondered how Eli saw his parents’ place. I know he cares for them, but he also moved out as soon as he started uni and never came back to live under their roof.
Maybe, like me, he needs a breather and his own space that’s out of his parents’ orbit.
“Do you want tea? Digestives?” Aunt Elsa asks as we sit on the high sofa across from the turned-off fireplace.
“I’m good.”
“You didn’t eat much.”
“I literally have no place in my tummy anymore.”
She laughs, the sound soft in the silence. “I’m glad to hear it. I wish Eli could’ve joined us tonight.”
“He has a late meeting. You know, with everything that’s going on.” Which is why I chose this day to visit his parents. I don’t want him around.
“Yes, that.” Her brows knit together in a gentle frown before she sighs. “I’m just glad both of you are okay. I had a fright when I first heard about the incident. It brought back bad memories.”
“What type of memories?”
She lifts her head, a shifty look springing in her light-blue eyes before she forces a smile. “Nothing of importance. I just wish he’d take it easy sometimes.”
“Me, too,” I whisper.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Ava. It must’ve been scary.”
“Not really. It was…something, but not exactly scary.” I grimace. “Not sure what that says about me, though.”
Especially since I fucked the guy right after and screamed his name as I came on his cock.
“It says you’re his match.” Aunt Elsa pats my hand. “I told you this before, but you don’t remember it, so I’ll say it again. I’m so happy you’re with him, Ava. I always believed he needed someone like you by his side and I’m glad he finally sees the vision.”
“I’m not doing much.”
“You’re doing more than you think. He seems happier and more relaxed.”
“Where? He’s always stone-faced.”
“I’m his mother. I know it when I see him. He’s changed and I like to think it’s for the better.” She squeezes my hand. “Thank you for helping him live a little, go out, breathe properly now and then.”
“I kind of blackmail him into it.”
She laughs. “And I’m grateful for that.”
“God. I hope he’s more like you.”
“He is.” She stares at an invisible spot on the wall. “Everyone thinks he’s exactly like his dad, but I also brought him up and made sure to ingrate morals into him. If he ever disrespects you, I need to hear about it.”
“He doesn’t do that.” And I mean it, he’s never disrespected me. He’s just a fan of breaking my heart whenever it mends itself back together.
“Good. And, Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“He’s lucky to have you. I know he’s hotheaded sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
“Most of the time, but you’re hotheaded, too, young lady.”
“Guilty.” I raise both hands.
“Which is better than if you were meek. At least this way, you know how to handle him.”
“I do?”
“Yes. The other day he was asking his father what to do if he feels like things are going so much out of control that he finds himself on the verge of snapping.”
I inch closer. “And what did Uncle Aiden say?”
“If you can’t afford to snap and come out of the situation unscathed or with the results you hope for, the intelligent thing to do is to walk away. Even temporarily.”
My lips part. That must be why he often locks himself away from me in his study. Of course, I don’t give him space and often stroll in, a book and a bucket of candy floss in hand, and proceed to read across from him, lying on the sofa, legs up, or on my stomach on the floor.
No wonder that earns me a fuck so ferocious that I can barely walk afterward and he has to carry me.
I’m toying with his control when I thought I was just being a brat. Oops.
“Leo mentioned there’s tension between Eli and Uncle Aiden. Do you know about that?”
“Leo?”
“Leonardo…oh, Henderson?”
“Ah. His first name is never mentioned.”
“Yeah, Eli hates that I call him Leo.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Because he can be dramatic?”
“Because he’s a copy of his father in that regard. For Eli and Aiden, it’s not tension. It’s a rivalry of sorts, from my son’s side.”
“Why would he want to rival his own father?”
“Because he has this constant urge to always come out on top and he feels like Aiden is his most worthy rival. Or Landon at times. Due to the absence of the latter, he’s channeling all that energy toward his dad.”