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)
“Very funny. Getting married to Eli obviously eroded your sense of humor, aside from your common sense. Speaking of Eli, heard he’s facing criminal charges?”
“No, he’s not,” I say. “And did you seriously just visit because of that?”
“It’s a perfectly good reason to take a long-haul flight. I don’t often get to laugh in his face for making a clusterfuck of a mistake.”
“There will be no laughing in his face,” Uncle Aiden says in a firm tone. “He knows his mistake, got punished for not considering the consequences, and he’s currently in the midst of finding solutions. No one needs your unnecessary gloating, Lan.”
“Thank you,” I say, inexplicably happy that Uncle Aiden is defending Eli. He might appear strict, but he and Eli share the most unique father-and-son relationship. It’s not a coincidence that my husband only goes to his dad for advice, even while he tries to score points for the sake of his stupid one-sided rivalry.
“But he’s never this clumsy, Uncle. Let me have my fun.”
“No.”
“Rest assured, I can annoy him in other ways.”
“Where’s Mia?” I ask.
“In the States. I only came for a few days.”
“Oh God. So we get you without a leash?”
“In my full glory, Barbie. Full glory.”
“Pass.” I stand up and smile at my parents-in-law. “I’m leaving. Night and good luck with the nutcase.”
Aunt Elsa walks me to the door and insists I take some food containers because she still believes I didn’t eat much.
I walk to the car she lent me for the ride home. I can’t reach their driver, so instead of going back and telling them that, I choose to drive it on my own. It’s been a long time since I drove anyway—since the day I ruined Eli’s car. Oops.
Lan slides in front of me with a devil-may-care smirk. He looks no different than a demon spawn under the driveway’s faint light.
“Now what?” I hike a hand on my hip, staring him down.
“If my ears didn’t betray me, I think I heard you defending Eli to Uncle Aiden.”
“How long were you there?”
“Long enough to doubt my own ears. You taking Eli’s side? I was honestly looking for clues of a parallel universe.”
“I was…only telling the truth.”
“Since when does the truth matter when it comes to your position about my cousin?”
“Since now.”
“Hmm.” He watches me peculiarly as he leans against the car and crosses his arms and ankles.
“What?”
“I’m contemplating whether or not to share a thought-provoking tidbit.”
“Is it about me?”
“Certainly. But seeing things in a new light, I’m not sure if it’ll do you harm or good.”
“If it’s about me, I’d like to know.”
“Are you strong enough to take it?”
“Since when do you care about that, Landon?”
“I very much do. While I want to provoke Eli, I don’t wish to end up on the top of his mile-long hit list, but since I’m here anyway, might as well make it worth my while. Let me ask you something. Are you aware your therapist changed?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know why?”
“My previous therapist left the UK.”
“By choice?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just a question. Next one, have you had any strange episodes lately?”
“No. I’ve been rather stable since I woke up in the hospital.” Aside from that panic attack outside the restaurant, I haven’t had any of my usual episodes. I used to be on edge anticipating the next one, but I’ve been so content lately that I’ve started to get used to this anxiety-free life.
Even if a part of me still shivers at the thought of going to sleep and constantly thinks of my next epic meltdown.
“Ever wondered why?” Lan asks.
“New meds. They’re really good and have little side effects, mostly lethargy, but not too often.”
“Cool.”
“Cool? What’s the meaning of this questionnaire, Lan?”
“Just bringing things into perspective. That’s all.”
“That’s never all with you. What are you trying to tell me?”
“I don’t know. Truly. It would’ve been different if I’d found you in your usual spot as the founder of Eli’s anti-fan club, but to my dismay, you’ve changed.”
“I…have not.”
“Barbie, please. You just talked to Uncle Aiden like Eli’s devout wife who’s trying to take the burn off her husband. You haven’t only changed, but you’re diving headfirst into your old feelings for him.”
“I would never give him my heart again. Not after he broke it.”
“Hey, there’s no need to convince me. And if it’s of any consolation, I do believe he’s doing this for your sake. Deep down, he cares. In his own screwed-up, twisted way, but his methods will sooner or later come to bite him in the arse.”
“Cares? Eli?”
“A man doesn’t go to the lengths of eliminating each one of your prospects and then proceed to marry you if he doesn’t care.”
“Ownership and care aren’t the same thing, Lan.”
“No, but they can coexist.” He pushes off the door and opens it for me. “Should you be driving?”