TheCEO

Pr
ologue
Wit
houtt
hinki
ngtwice,
Iremovedt
hecapofthe
penandsi
gned.Isi
gnedmylif
eaway.Isi
gned
mysel
faway.
.
.

Ali
cewasahar dworkingwomanwhowas
scrapingthebottom ofthebarr
el.Despi
te
wantingtoenjoylif
e,Ali
cewasst uckworki
ng
twolowpay i
ngjobsinordertoearnmoneyfor
herli
ttlebrot
her'
ssurgery,butt
onoav ai
l.

Al
iceneededmoneyandsheneededi tf ast.
Ot
herwise,shewouldl
oseherbr ot
her.Sowhen
aonceinli
feti
meopportuni
typresent
si t
selfi
n
aform ofanewspaperadver
ti
sement, Ali
ce
j
umpsatt
hechance.
.
Chr i
sPal meristheowneroft hewor l
dbi ggest
businessempi re,palmerEnterprises.Hei s
ruthl
essandhadt hepowert odest r
oyany one
withjustasnapofhi sfi
ngers.Inhi scircl
e,heis
regardedasDar kRoyalt
y.Despi t
ehav ing
everything,whathewant edwasanhei r,who
woul dinheri
thisempi r
ewhent het i
mecame.
Sohehol dsint
erviewsinordert ofindthe
perfectwi f
ewhoi sgoingtogi vehi m anheir.

WhenChrisi
nter
viewsAli
ce,
hebel
iev
esthat
Ali
cedoesnotfi
thisst
andar
dsofawifeatal
l
,
butcanhebewrong?

WhenAl i
celeavesPalmerEnter
pri
ses,she
thi
nksthatshewon'teverseeChri
sPalmer
everagai
n,butherbeli
efsareshat
ter
edwhen
sheseeshi
m againandreal
i
zest
hathehasno
i
ntent
ionofl
ett
inghergo.
.
War
ning:
mat
urecont
ent
!
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t1<3
.
.
.
Icrossedmyr ightl egov ermyleftone,gl
ancing
attheclockwhi cht oldmeIhadbeensi tt
ing
hereforanhour .Cl utchingmyfil
ewi t
hmy
hands,Iwaitedf ormyt urntogointotheCEO's
off
iceformyi nter v
iew.ButasIl ookedaround
me, t
akingnoteofnear l
yfif
tywomensi tt
ing
waiti
ngf ort
heirt urns,Iknewitwasgoi ngtobe
alongt i
mebef or eIwasal l
owedtogoi n,whi
ch
di
dn'thelplessenmyanxi et
yint
heleast.I
neededtogett hi
sintervi
ewoverwit
hassoon
aspossible,mylit
tl
ebr ot
herwasathome,
al
one,whi chwasnoti dealf
orhi
scurrent
condit
ion,andIneededt ogotohim.
.
Thedooroft heCEO' soffi
ceopenedanda
womanwi t
hblondehai rexit
edcr y
inghereyes
out.Hermascar awasr unningdowni nthi
n,
blackstreamswhi l
ehergr ayey eswer e
bloodshot.Wi t
houtsay i
ngawor d,t
hewoman
stormedt owar dstheloneelevat orthatwas
presentont hef l
oorandst abbedt hecallbut
ton
repeatedlyuntilt
heelevatorarrived.Enter
ing
theelevator,herexist
encev anishedast he
doorsclosed.
.
"
Numbertwent
yseven,Ms.Hannah,Mr
.Palmer
wi
ll
seeyounow,"t
heladyatt
herecept
ionsai
d
i
namonot
one.

Aladywithjetblackhairwithgreencat-l
ike
eyesstoodupgr aceful
l
yandsmoot hedher
al
readysmoot hpinkdress.Pastingona
seduct
ivesmi l
e,sheconfidentl
ysashay ed
i
nsidetheoffi
ce.Ididn'
tunderstandhowshe
wasnotf r
eezinginthatfl
imsydr ess?
Myconf i
dencefal
teredforthetwentysev
enth
ti
measIsawy etanotherbeauti
fulwomango
forheri
ntervi
ew.EventhoughIhadabsolutel
y
zeroint
eresti
nthemanhi mself,Iwas
i
nterest
edinwhathewasof fer
ing.Money.

ChrisPalmerownedt hewor l
d'sbiggest
businessempire,
andwast hev er
ydefinit
ionof
ri
ch,hewaspr act
ical
lyroyalt
y.Therewas
nothingi
nthisworldthatt
hemancoul dn'tbuy.
Heownedf ivepri
vateisl
andsandwaspl anning
onbuyi
ngoneoftheBahamas; somethi
ngIgot
toknowaf
terdoi
ngsomer esearchonhim
whenIsawthenewspaperadverti
sement.

Itwasj
ustanotherdaywhenIwasscanningt
he
newspapersear
chingforathir
djob,
whenI
cameacrossanunusual adver
ti
sement
.

'
Bri
deWant
ed'
PalmerChris,aworldr enownedentrepreneuris
i
nneedofapot enti
albr i
dewhocanpr ovidehi
m
wit
hanhei rinlessthanay ear
,whowi l
linheri
t
hi
sempi r
ei nthefuture.Mr .Pal
merwi l
lpaythe
womanonemi l
li
onpoundsi ncashaft
ert he
babyisbornandt hey earlongcontr
actisov er.

Interv
iewsforMr.Smi
th'spotent
ialbr
idewil
l
startfr
om December6th,2017ti
llDecember
7th,2018.Al li
nter
estedcandi datesmustbr ing
theirrésuméscont ai
ningev erylit
tledetai
labout
themsel ves;t
heirage,race,backgr ound,genet
ic
diseases, et
c.Candidateswi t
hf orged
i
nf ormationwillbedisquali
fi
ed.
Formoreinf
ormati
oncontact
,Pal
mer
Enter
pri
sesHeadquar
ter
s.

Cont
actnumber
:xxx-
xxxxxx'
Seeingt hehef tyamountt hemanwaspay i
ng
wast heonl yr easonIwassi tti
ngout si
dehis
offi
ce, waitingformyt urn,i
gnor i
ngthecr amps
i
nmybut tforsitti
ngforsol ong.WhenIsawt he
amount ,Iknewt hemoneywoul dbeenoughf or
mybr ot her'
ssur gery,
amdIneededt odo
everythingIcoul dtomakesur eMr .Palmer
pickedmet obehi swife.AllIhadtodowas
givehim anhei r,
andt henIwoul dbeabl eto
savemybr other'
slif
e.Ijustwishedhepi cked
me.
.
Thedooropenedonceagainandt helady
Hannahstormedoutlooki
ngliv
id.Herli
pswer
e
pull
edbackinasnarl
.Grunti
ngangril
y,she
stor
medt owar
dstheelevat
or.
Lady:"Thattosserrej
ectedmebecauseI'
m not
avirgin!Whatplanetishefrom?
!"sheshouted,
earninggaspsf rom afewwomen.Theelevator
doorsopenedandHannahwast edlit
tl
eti
mei n
getti
ngi n.
Oncet heel evatordoorsclosed, Isighedinr el
ief
,
gladf orthef actthatIwasst i
l
lav irgin.Ibegun
fi
ddlingwi t
ht henecklacear oundmyneck.Ni co,
myl it
tlebr other,hadgivenmet heneckl aceon
myni net eenthbi r
thday.Itwasnot hing
extravegant ,justasimpler osegol dchar m with
at hi
ngol dplatedchain,butitmeantt hewor l
d
tome.I thadbeenf ouryearsandInev ertookit
of
f,i
twasl
i
kemyl
uckychar
m.

"Numbert
wentyeight,Ms.Al
i
ce, Mr
.Palmerwil
l
seeyounow,"t
hel adyatt
herecept
ionsai
din
thesamefl
atvoice.

Myhear tst
art
edt humpingasIsl owlystoodup,
tryi
ngmybestt olookgraceful,
doingitj
ustlike
theotherwomen, butIknewIwasn' texactl
y
successful
.Ti
ghteningthebeltofmycoat
aroundmywai st,
Iclutchedmyf il
etomychest
andslowlywalkedtowar dsthewoodendoor
thatmightormightnothel psavemybr other
's
l
ife,myhearthammer ingagainstmyr i
bcage.
Takingadeepbr eath,Igentl
yturnedtheknob
andenteredtheof fi
ce.Theof f
icewasbeaut if
ul
tosaytheleast.Theinteri
orwasn'tfancybutit
l
ookedexpensi ve.Thereweretwowhi te,ful
l
sizecouches,oneinfrontofthehugef loort
o
ceil
inggl asswindow, andtheot heracr ossf r
om
thefirstone, wi
thagl asst abl
ei nt hemi ddle.On
myr ight,therewasadeskwi thal ltheoffice
suppliesneat l
ypl acedwi t
habi g, darkbr own
swivel chairbehindit.Againstthewal l
ther e
weresev erall
argecabi netsmadeoutofdar k
wood, andaf ewpot tedplantspl acedexper t
ly
i
nt her oom compl et
edt helook.

Sitt
ingont hecouchagai nsttheglasswi ndow
wer efourimmacul atel
ydressedmen.Al lof
them werewear i
ngexpensivedesi gnersuit
s.
Theonesi t
ti
ngont hel
eftcornerlookedt obe
theoldestwi t
hdar kbrownhai rwhichwas
sli
ghtl
ygr ayi
ngont heedges,withpierci
ng
browney es.Hisf acewashar d,withonlyaf ew
wrinkl
est hathintedathisoldage.

Nextt
otheol
destmansatay
oungmanwho
l
ookednool derthantwent y
.Helookedsi
milar
tothemanont hel ef
t,excepthehadcurl
y,
blondehai
randseagr eeney es.Hi
sfacewas
smoot hwi
thal eanbody .
Besidest hey oungman, satamanwhowas
aboutt wentysev en.Hehadashar pjawli
ne,
witht hi
ckbr ownhai randpiercingseagr een
eyes.Hel ookedv aguel
yfami l
iar,however,I
couldn'trecallwhereIhadseenhi m.Just
l
ookingathi m hadashi verrunningdownmy
spine.Themanl ookeddeadly,readyt ostr
ike.I
knewhewast hekindofmanwhowoul dn'
t
hesitatetotakedownhi sopponent ,
nomat ter
whoi twas.

Thenextmani nline,l
ookedtobearound
twentyfi
vewithcurlybrownhai
randsoftbrown
eyes.Hishandsomef acewassupporti
ngasoft
smile,whi
chstrangelyputmeatease.He
l
ookedal i
ttl
ebulky,asifheworkedoutalot
.
But,Ir
eal
lyl
ikedhim;outofthefourofthem,
thel
astonewast heonewhodi dn'
tmakeme
feel
asifIhadjustent
eredtheli
on'sden.

"Si
tdown,
Miss,
wedon'
thav
emucht
ime,
"the
deadl
ymanspoke.

Iqui
ckl
ysatont heoppositecouchandputmy
fi
leontheglasstabl
e,whichthedeadlyman
i
nstant
lytook,openi
ngitwhil
equicklyscanni
ng
i
tscontents,
hisfacevoi
dofemot ions.
"What'
syourname?"t
heol
destofthef
ourmen
asked.Hehadadeepvoi
ce,andhetal
kedwi
th
purpose.
"Al
iceMil
l
igan,
sir
,"Ianswer
edpol
i
tely
,diggi
ng
mynail
sinmypalmt ost
opmyheartfr
om
poundi
ng.
"Wher
ear eyouf
rom?
"thesameman
quest
ioned.
"
EastEndLondon,
sir
,"Ir
epl
i
ed.

"You'
repoor ,
"thedeadl ymanwi t
hseagr een
eyesstated.Hi svoicewasrichandsmoot h,l
ike
meltedchocol ate,buthespokewitha
dangeroustintinhi svoi
ce.Hiseyeswerehard
astheyscrutinizedme, makingmef eel
li
kea
ratunderobser vati
on.

"I
-I
-"Iwasatal ossforwords.Icoul
dn'tdeny
thefactthatIwasindeedverypoor.Butheari
ng
i
tbeingsai di
nsuchader ogatorymannermade
mef eelstupi
dforeverthi
nkingaboutcomi ng
here.

"
Whydi
dyoucomeher
e?"t
hey
oungestoft
he
f
ourenqui
red.

Myhandi nst
ant
lyfl
ewtomyneckl aceasIf
elt
overwhelmedsi
tt
inginfr
ontoftheseri
chmen.
"Ineedthemoney,
"Iansweredhonestl
y.

"Wow,honestmuch, andherewethoughty
ou
wouldprofessyourundyi
nglovef
ormy
brot
her,
"thebulkymanstatedwit
hanamused
smil
eonhi sface.

Lower i
ngmygazeasabl ushcolor
edmy
cheeks,Icontinuedfi
ddli
ngwi thmyneckl ace.
"Withallduerespect,si
r,howcanIpr ofessmy
l
ov eforamanIhadnocl ueevenexistedunt i
l
twoday sago,"Iblur
tedout ,
thencursedmy sel
f
forbabbling.
"
Ouch,thatmust'
vehur
t,ehhChris,"t
hebul
ky
mantaunted,
glanci
ngathisbrother,
who
l
ookedasifhewantedtomur derme.

Myey eswidenedsli
ght
ly.Thi
swasChr is?The
Chri
sPalmer ?
!Nowonderhel ookedfamiliar
.I
hadseenhispictur
esont hei
nter
net.Her eal
ly
di
dlooklikeoneofLondon'smosteligi
ble
bachelor
s.

"Whydoy ouwantt
hemoney
?"Chr
is
quest
ioned.

"Mylit
tl
ebrother
,hasVSD, Vent
ri
cul
arSept
al
Defect,
hehasahol einhi
sheartandIneed
moneyf orhi
ssurgery
,"Ir
esponded,
myf i
nger
s
notleavi
ngmynecklace.
"
Soy
ou'
rewi
l
li
ngt
omar
rymeandpr
ovi
deme
withanheiri
nordertogetmoneyforyourli
tt
le
brother
'ssur
ger
y,isthatr
ight
?"heasked,
asif
confir
mingwhatIjustsai
d.
Inodded,hopinghewoul
dagr
eet
othe
marri
age."Yes,si
r.
"
"Whatmakesyouthi
nkIwoul
dmar
ryy
ou?
"he
enqui
redar
rogant
ly.

"
Par
donme?
"

"Aftergoi ngthroughy ourinformation,Iam not

reall
yconv i
ncedt hatIwanty ouasmywi fe.
Bot hofy ourpar entsdiedduet ohear tdiseases,
andy ourbrotherisalsosuf feri
ngfrom ahear t
disease, whichmeansi nthef utur
et hereisa
strongpossi bil
itythatyout oowi l
lsufferfrom a
hear tdisease,andIdon' twantmychi ldtohav e
adef ect i
vehear t,
"hestated.
"I
t'
snotneccessar
ythatIwi
l
lsuf
ferf
rom a
heartdi
sease,
"Iar
gued.
"Yes,youmi ghtnot ,buttherearealsoot her
thi
ngs.Youar eonl yahi ghschool graduate,
whichmeansy ou' r
enothi ghlyeducatedei t
her .
Youwor katat rashybarandatagasst ati
on,
meani ngunhy geni cenv i
ronment ,
meani ngy our
bodyi sfl
owingwi t
hal l
sortsoftoxicchemi cals
thatyou'r
einhal ing,nottoment i
onthef actt hat
youliveinEastEndLondon, aplacef orthe
poor,"hecount er ed,makingmef eelsmal lafter
everywor d.

"TheonlyreasonIdidn'tgotocoll
egewas
becausebot hmypar entspassedawayandI
hadtot akecareofmyy oungerbr
other
.Ihave
towor ktwojobsinordert obuymedici
nesfor
mybr otherandsti
ll
needt osavesomemoney
forhissur
gery,EastEndLondonistheplaceI
wasbor nandgr ewupin,Ican'
tandwon't
apologi
zeforthat,
"Iexpl
ained,
desperat
ely
wantingtorunaway .

"Tel
lme, hav
eyouevereatenatanexpensi
ve
rest
aurant?Hav
eyouev erbeentoachari
ty
event?
"hequesti
oned.

"Idon'
thavethatki
ndofmoney ,si
r,andifIdi
d
thefir
stthi
ngIwoulddoi sgetmybr ot
herthe
surgeryheneeds,
"Irespondedfi
rmly.
"
Yourhai
rcol
or,
isi
tnat
ural
?"Chr
isasked.
Runni
ngahandt hr
oughmywav y,
strawberr
y
bl
ondehai
r,Inodded."
Yes,it
'snat
ural,mymum
hadstr
awberrybl
ondehairaswell
."Ianswered
wit
hasmile,mymum' sangeli
cfacef l
ashi
ng
bef
oremyey es.
"I
nteresti
ng, howev er,Imustsayt hereis
nothingabouty ou,otherthant hef actthat
you'reav i
rgin,isappealingt ome.Noty our
genet i
cs,noty ourfinancialstatus,nothing.I'
m
l
ooki ngforawomanwi thclassandst atus,and
unfortunately,youlacktheset r
aits.I'
m not
l
ooki ngforaoneni ghtstand, I'
ml ookingf ora
wife,andIj ustdon'tseeawi feiny ou,"he
stated,hi
sey esnotshowi ngahi ntofemot i
on.

"Iknowhowt obeawi fe,

"Idefended,tr
yingto
findsomewayi nwhichIcouldcomv incehimto
mar ryme.Ineededthemoneyf orNico,I
pr omisedmysel
fwhenIleftmyapar tmentthatI
woul ddowhateveri
ttooktoconv i
ncehimt o
mar ryme.
"Doyounow?I
fyoubecomemywi f
e,Iam
goi
ngtobeyourpr
ior
it
y,noty
ourbr
other
,not
anyoneelse,
me,
doy
our
eal
i
zet
hat
?"He
questi
oned.

"Iknowhowt odividemyt i
meaccor di
ngt
omy
prior
it
ies,I
'
mt el
l
ingy ou,
youwi l
lnotbe
disappoint
ed,
"Istatedfi
rmly.
Heshookhi sheadandIknewt hattherewasno
convi
ncinghim.Myhear tsank,
Ihadt ofind
someot herwayt ogetthemoney .Icouldn'tl
et
Nico,mylit
tlebrot
her,myonl yfamil
ysufferfor
muchl onger,Iwasjustgoingtohavetof inda
decentpayingjob.

"I
'
m sorr
yMs.Ali
ce,Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nkyou'
ret
he
ri
ghtwomanforme.Howev er
,Icanpayf
oryour
brot
her
'ssur
ger
y,"Heoff
ered.

Shaki
ngmyheadIsmi
l
edandst
oodup."
Thank
you,butnothanks,Iwouldpref
ertoearnmoney
formybr ot
her'
ssurgery
.Imightnotberich,
Mr.
Palmer,butI'
m notacharit
ycaseeither
."
Takingmyf i
lefr
om him,Icl
utchedittomy
chest.

"Yousure?I
twouldbenef
ityouandyourbr
other
great
ly,
"Heper
sist
ed,butIwasn'
tgoi
ngto
budge.
"Imaylackclassandst atus,butIdohav e
digni
tyandselfrespect.Thanky ouforyour
ti
me, Mr.Palmer,I
'l
lbegoi ngnow, goodbyeMr.
Palmer,"Ist
ated.Turni
ngonmyheel ,maki
ng
suretokeepmyheadhel dhi gh,Iwalkedoutof
hisoff
ice,andoutofhisl i
fe.

Exi
tingtheloftybui
ldi
ngwhi
chwasPalmer
Enterpri
ses,Ibegunfi
ddl
i
ngwithmyneckl
ace
again,astheweightofmyprobl
emsand
responsi
bli
ti
esthreat
enedtopul
lmedown.
LookingaroundthebusyLondonst
reetIhad
onlyonethoughtswir
li
nginmyhead.

HowwasIgoi
ngt
opayf
orNi
co'
ssur
ger
ynow?

WhatwasIgoi
ngt
odonow?
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t2<3
.
.
.
Iknockedonmyapart
mentdoorandwai tedf
or
Nicotocomeandopenthedoor.Anxiet
yand
desperat
ionwer
eeat
ingatmyinsides,what
wasIgoingtodonow?Wherewoul dIfi
nda
l
ucrati
vejob?Al lthecompani esprefer r
ed
coll
egegraduates, wher easIwasonl yahi gh
schoolgraduate.Ifonlymyf athernev ergot
sickandmymot herhadal ucrat
ivejob, t
hen
todayIwouldbewor ki
ngi nsomesuccessf ul
company .ButifIstar t
edwonder i
ngaboutal l
thewhatifsthenIwoul dloseev erything,and
eventhoughIdi dn'thav emucht olose,Ihad
enough.

Thedoorofmyapar t
mentopenedwi thNico
standinginfrontofme, gr
inni
ng.Hi sgr eeney es,
verymuchl ikemyown, wer espar kl
ing.His
blondehairamess.Justseei nghi m happy
mademyl ipscurveinaninvoluntarysmi l
e.
Event houghmyl it
tl
ebrotherdidn'texact l
yhav e
anor mal l
i
fe,hewasal wayshappy ,
alway s
optimisti
c.Itri
edmybestnott ol etany thi
ng
wor r
yhim, buthewashappywi thoutmeev en
doingmuch.
"Hey,Nico,howareyou? "Iaskedwithasmile,
eventhoughanxietyhadmyhear tpoundi
ng.I
quickl
yr anmyeyesov erNico,makingsurehe
wasal r
ight.
"I
'm gr eat,howar ey ou?Di dyougetthejobyou
want ed? "hequer ied,raisinghisheadalitt
let
o
l
ookmei ntheey es.Ev ent houghhewasonl y
tenyear sol d,Nicowasal r eadyastal
lasme,
howev er,thankst omyhi ghheelsIappeareda
l
itt
let all
er.
Ishookmyheadinresponse."
No,theyhad
alr
eadyhir
edsomeonebeforeIhadachance,
"I
l
ied,notwant
inghi
mt oworry.
"
Oh,wel
lit
'sokay,I
'
m sur
etherear
ebet
terj
obs
f
ory
ou,"herepl
iedwit
hasmi l
e.

"
Yeah,Ihopeso,
"Imut
ter
edthel
astpar
tto
mysel
f,notwant
ingNi
cotoseemeupset;
his
hear
twouldnotbeabl
etohandl
ethest
ress
andanxi
ety.

"Canwegooutt
oday
?Iam bor
ed,
"Ni
co
complai
ned.
Myhear tclenchedi nsorrow.Becauseofhis
heartcondi t
ion, Itri
edmybestt omakesur e
Nicodi dn'texer thimself;fi
veti
meshehad
suff
er edf rom anat tackandIhadt orushhi
mt o
thehospi tal,pr ayingtoGodt ol
ethim bealri
ght
,
andev eryti
met hedoct or
sinstr
uctedmet o
makesur eNi codi dn'tengageinal otof
physical activityandt ogethi ssurgerydoneas
soonaspossi ble.Ifonlythedoctorsknewjust
howdi ff
icultitwast ogetmoney .

"Wecandosomet hi
ngathome,youknow
you'
renotsupposet
oexerty
oursel
f,
"I
suggest
ed,wishi
ngt
hatsomehow,from
somewher
eIwouldgett
hemoneyf orNico'
s
sur
ger
ysohecouldgooutandrunaroundwith
ki
dshi
sownage,inst
eadofst
ayingcoopedup
i
ntheapar
tment
.

Guiltanddesper ati
onst abbedmyhear twhen
thesmi l
eonNi co'sf acefell
.Thesparkl
einhis
eyesdulledashesi ghedaudibly."
It
'sbeen
threeweekssi nceIwentout ,pl
easeAli
ce,j
ust
fortwent yminutes,takemet othepark,
any where,"Ni
copl eaded,hiseyesbeggingme
togi v
ein.

Sighi
ngindef eat,Il
ookedmybr otheri
nt he
eyes."
Okayf i
ne, we'l
lgotothel i
brary,
youcan
readbooks,"Iconceded.Librarywast heonly
placeIcoul
dt hinkofwhereNi cowoul dbeable
tospendtimewi t
houtexerti
nghi mself.
Ni
cosmi
l
ed,
aful
lmegawat
tsmi
l
ethatIl
oved
somuch.Punchingintheai
r,Ni
cohootedin
exci
tement
."Yes!I
'l
lgogetmyjacket
,"he
stat
ed,t
henjoggedovertohi
sroom.

"Don' trun,"Ichided.Shakingmyhead, Iwentto

myr oom t ogetmywal l
et.SinceIwasal r
eady
wear ingmyt renchcoat ,Ijusthadt ogetmy
wool lencapandmygl ovesoutoft hecl oset.
Ev ent houghi twasaf ternoon,Imadesur eto
remai npr otected,Londonwi ntercoul
dbe
vicious.Exchangi ngmyhi ghheel swith
comf ortabletrai
ners,Ishutmycl osetandmade
mywayoutofmyr oom wher eNi cowasal ready
standi ng.

"Hurryup,Al
i
ce,wedon'
twantthel
i
brar
yto
closeup,"Ni
cosai
dinarush.
"
It
'snotgoingtocloseupthi
searlyandwher
e
i
sy ourbackpack?
"Iquest
ioned.
"Onthechair
."Ipi
ckeduptheblackbackpack
andslungitovermyshoul
der.Ihadtotakethe
backpacktotheli
brar
ysoNicowouldn'thaveto
carr
yheavybooks.
"Let'
sgo,"Istat
ed.Nicowastednot imein
runningoutoftheapartment,gi
vingmyhearta
suddenjolt."
Stoprunni
ng!"Iscol
ded, f
oll
owi
ng
afterhi
m, makingsuretol
ockt hefrontdoor
.
Outsidewasf ai
rl
ychil
ly
,butthatwast obe
expect ed.EventhoughNicoandIlivedi noneof
thepoorar easofLondon, t
herewasal otof
crowd.Peopl ewer emil
li
ngabout,rushinghere
andt here.Itwasnearl
ytimeforlunchwhi ch
explainedthecrowd.Imadesur etohol dNico'
s
handt ightl
y,tomakesurehewoul dn'tgetlost
.
Afteraboutt wentyminut esofweavi
ngi nand
outoft heEastEndLondoncr owd,NicoandI
fi
nallyarr
ivedatt heli
brary.Ni
cowast edno
ti
mei ngoingi nsideandi mmediat
elyrushi
ng
offtotheBi ologyaisl
e,leavi
ngmeal one.
Want i
ngtomakesur ethathewasokay ,I
fol
lowedNi cotot
heBi ologysect
iononl
ytofi
nd
him sit
ti
ngononeoft hemanybeanbagsi na
corner,r
eadingabi
g,fatbook, whil
eawhole
bunchofbookswer epl acedbesi
dehim ont
he
smal l
table.

"Youseem t ohaveanobsessi onwi t

hBi ol
ogy,
"I
comment ed,l
ookingovertoseeNi coreading
aboutt heheart
.Whenev erNicoandIv isit
edthe
l
ibrary,healwaysoptedt oreadsciencebooks,
mai nlyBi
ology,whichIfoundstrangeyet
i
mpr essi
ve,asaboyhi sagewant edtor ead
aboutsuperher oesandst uff
.

"Iwanttobeadoct or
,Ali
ce,t
hisi
swhyIneedto
studyal ot
,soIcanhelppeopl
ewithheart
diseases,t
hennoonewoul dhavetostayhome
becauseofabadhear t,
"heanswered,
a
det
ermi
nedl
ooki
nhi
sey
es.

Unwantedtearspr
ickedmyey esatheari
ngmy
br
other'
sanswer.Hisheartcondit
ionwas
ef
fect
inghim somuch, bothphysi
call
yand
emoti
onall
y,andIcouldn'
tdoany t
hingabouti
t.

Bli
nkingmyeyesr api
dlytost
opt hetearsf
rom
fal
li
ng,Ir
eachedf ormyneckl
aceandbegun
fi
ddli
nwithi
t."Youstayhereandr ead,I
'
m goi
ng
togodosomer esearch,
okay?"
"Okay,butpleasecanwest
ayhereforafew
hours,Iwanttositandr
eadher
e,"Nico
requested.
Inoddedwithasmi l
e."
We'l
ll
eavewhenyou
wantto,
"Irepl
ied,
thentur
nedandwalkedt
othe
check-
outdesk.
"
Hi,
areanyoft
hecomput
ersav
ail
abl
e?"Iasked
thecut
eburnet
tesit
tingbehi
ndt
hedesk,
typi
ng
awayonthekeyboard.
"
Sur
e,t
her
eareafewcomputersthatar
efree,
y
oucangoandsee,
"sheansweredpoli
tel
y.
"Thanks.
"Iturnedandst r
odetot hecomput
er
area.Thecomput erareahadlotsofcomputers,
whichwer earrangedf i
vetoat able,
eachwi
th
i
tsownmi nicubicle.Whichwasamazi ngas
onewoul dhavecompl etepr
ivacywhenworking.
Fi
ndinganempt ycubicl
e,Isatont heswivel
chai
randturnedont hecomput er.AssoonasI
openedtheint
ernettab,Ihurr
iedlysear
chedfor
l
ucrati
veonli
nejobs.Iwouldpr efert
ogetan
onli
nejob,soIcoul
dwor kfrom home, thatway
Iwouldn'
thavetoleaveNicoal oneandwoul d
beabletotakecareofhim.
WhenItur
nedonthecomputer
,Iwasful
lof
hope,
butnow,
aft
ersear
chingthr
oughnear
ly
fi
ft
yli
nks,
Iwasst
arti
ngtol
osehope.Noonli
ne
j
obwaspay i
ngmor ethanwhatIwasal r
eady
earni
ngatt hebarandt hegasst ation.EvenifI
didoptforanonl i
nejob,Ireali
zednowt hatI
wouldn'tbeabletomanagewor ki
ngonl i
nedue
tomyoddhour satthebarandt hegasst ati
on.
Howev er,Icont
inuedsearchingl i
nkaf t
erli
nk,
prayi
ngt oGodt ogetmeaj ob.
"
Hey ,
Alice?"Nico'
svoicestar
tl
edme.Il
ooked
t
omyr i
ghtt oseeNicostandi
ngwit
hhisar
ms
f
oldedacr osshischest.
"Yeah,
whati
sit
,ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?"Iasked
concer
ned.
"Yes,
Ijustwantedtotel
lyout
hatIt
hinkwe
shoul
dgo, yourshi
fti
saboutt
ostar
t,"het
old
me.
Looki
ngatmywr i
stwat
ch,Icursedundermy
breat
h.I
thadbeenfi
vehourssi
nceNi coandI
hadbeenhere,
andhewasr i
ght,myshiftatt
he
gasstat
ionwasaboutt
ostart
.
Hurr
iedlytur
ningoffthecomputer,
Ist
oodup
andgrabbedt hebackpack."
Didyouborr
owany
books?"IaskedNico.
Henodded."Yeah,t
her
ear
eatt
hecheck-
out
desk,
"heanswered.
Takinghishand, Iwal kedtothecheck- outdesk
toseet heladychecki ngoutt helastbookand
stacki
ngi tontopoft heal r
eadybi gpi l
e.
Wi t
houtsay i
ngany thing,Iunzippedt hebagand
putallt
heei ght,fatbooksi nit.Onceal lt
he
bookswer ei
n, Izippedt hebagshutandsl ungi
t
overmyshoul der , makingsur enott oletanyone
seehowuncomf or tableIwaswi t
htheheav y
bag.Biddingourf arewellstothel i
brari
an,Nico
andIleftthelibrary.
Thecrowdhadt hinnedconsiderablyinaspan
off
ivehours.Notmanypeopl ewereseen
wanderi
ngaround, whichpreventedmef rom
hol
dingontoNi co'shand.Despitethat,
Imade
sur
et ohav
eNi cowal kascloselytomeas
possi
ble.Icouldn'tri
skhim wal
kingata
di
stance;hishear tdi
seasehadturnedmei
nto
ananxious,worrisomemess.
Wer eachedourapar tmenti nlessthantwenty
minut es.Unlockingt hef r
ontdoor ,Ihur
ri
ed
i
nsideandputt hebackpacki nNico'sbedroom.
Ididn'twanthi mt ocar ryitoranything,i
fIput
thebagi nhisbedr oom, thenNi cocouldsimply
unzipt hebagandr eadwhat everbookhe
want ed.IfsomedayIdi dbecomer ich,Iwould
buyabookshel fforNi cowher ehewoul dbe
ablet oputhisbooksandot herkni
ckknacks.
.
Rolli
ngmyshoul dertoalleviat
ethepai n,Ileft
Nico'sroom andwentt otheki t
chent opr epare
Nico'sdinner
.Ist i
llhadanhourbef oremyshi ft
actuall
ystart
ed, whichwasenought omake
someI tali
anv egetablesoup.Iwant edt omake
Nicosomet hingl i
keagr i
lledburgeror
somet hingasi twaseasier ,
butitwasn' tgood
f
orhishear
tandIwoul
dnev
erputNico'
sheal
th
i
njeopar
dyjustt
omakemyli
feeasi
er.
ThedoorbellrangasIwascut t
ingt he
veget
ables.If
rowned,curi
osi
tybl oominginside
me.Whowoul dv i
situsatthi
shour ?Itwasno
ti
mef orthemilkmanorthelandlordtoarrive,
thenwhowasatt hedoor?Iputt heknifedown
andwasaboutt ogoandseewhoi twas,but
Nicobeatmet oit.

"Igoti
t,Al
ice,youmakedi nner,
"Nicobel
lowed.
Irel
uct
antlypickedtheknifeagainandwent
backtocutting,however,
mymi ndwas
wonderi
ngwhowasatt hedoor,asIstr
ained
myearst oli
stent oanyt
hingstr
ange.
Whenal lIheardwerest
range,
i
ncompr ehensibl
ewords,Iputt
hekni
fedown
againandwentt ocheckwhatorwhoexact
ly
Nicowast alki
ngto.
"Nico,whois—"mywordsdi
edinmyt hr
oatasI
tookinthemenstandi
ngatthet
hreshol
dofmy
apartment.
Chri
sPalmeralongwi t
hhisbrot
herandt he
ol
derman,whoIpr esumedwashi sf
ather,was
st
andingatt
hethresholdofmyapartment ,
l
ookingasdeadl
yasev er;
hiseyesunreadable.
"Wow,you'
reev
enshort
ert
hanIt
hought
,"Chr
is
brot
hercommented.

I
gnori
nghi
scomment,
Iturnedmyat
tent
iont
o
Chr
is."
I—I
sev
ery
thi
ngalr
ight?
"
"
Aren'
tyougoingtoinv
iteusi
n,y
oungl
ady
?"
Hi
sfatherquer
ied.

Mycheeksheatedi
nembar r
assment."Of
course,myapol
ogi
es,
pleasecomein,"Ist
ated
poli
tel
y.
Allt
hreemenenteredmyapart
mentasNico
cl
osedt hedoor
."Al
ice,
doyouknowthese
people?
"Nicoenquir
ed.
"
Yes,Ido,Ni
co,whydon'
tyougoi
nyourr
oom
whi
leItal
ktothem,
"Itol
dhim.
"
Arey
oui
ndanger
?"heaskedanxi
ousl
y.

"No,no,notatall
,Ij
ustneedt otalktothem
aboutsomet hi
ngimportant,t
hat'sall
,I
'l
lcal
l
yououtassoonast heyleav
e,"Iresponded.
"Okay,
buty
oucal
lmei
fyou'
rei
ndanger
,"he
stat
ed.
"
Iwi
l
l,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"
Promi
se?
"hehel
duphi
spi
nki
efi
nger
.
Linki
ngmypinki
efi
ngerwi
thhi
sIsmi
l
ed.
"Promise.
"
Sati
sfi
ed,Ni
cosaunter
edinhi
sroom,closi
ng
thedoorsof
tl
ybehindhim.Whi
leIwentint
he
l
iv
ingr
oom wher
eChr
iswassi
tt
ingwi
tht
he
ot
hert
women.
"So,
short
cake,whatar
eyou,
4'8,
4'10?
"Hi
s
brot
herenqui
red.

"I
'
m 5'
0,"Ist
ated."
Wouldyouli
kesomet
hingt
o
dri
nk?
"Iaskedthem,notf
orgett
ingmymanner
s.

"No,goandpackyourbags,
"Chri
sorder
ed,
l
ockinghisseagr
eeneyeswithmine.Myheart
fl
ippedashestar
edme, hi
seyeswil
li
ngmet o
submit.

"Why?"Iquesti
oned,
dreadcreepi
ngupmy
spi
ne.Ifhehadanyintent
ionsofsepar
ati
ngme
fr
om mybr othert
henhehadanotherthi
ng
coming.
"
BecauseIsai
dso,
"Hest
atedsi
mpl
y.
Ishookmyhead."I'
m sorr
yMr .Palmer,butIwi
l
l
notdoanythi
ngyoutellmeifIdon'tgeta
properr
easonabl
eanswer,"Istat
ed.
Chr
isey
eshardened,
resembl
i
nggr
eenshar
ds.
"
DoasIsay,
"hecommanded.

"
Fir
stgi
vemeav
ali
dreason,
"Idemanded.

"
Wow,
you'
requi
tewi
l
ful
,
"Hi
sbr
otherpi
pedi
n.

"
Shutup, Kei
ran,
"Chri
ssnapped.Oh,sot
hat
washi sname.Il
ikedKei
ran,hewasnotas
i
ntimidati
ngasChris,
Iwonderedwheret
he
youngeronewas?

St
andi
ngup,
Chr
isst
rodeov
ert
omeunt
ilhe
wasstandingj
ustafewinchesf
rom me.I
rai
sedmyheadt ol
ookathim.Withouthigh
heel
s,Hetoweredoverme,maki
ngmef eel
vul
nerabl
e.

"
Goandpacky
ourbags,l
i
ttl
epeach,
Iwon'tt
ell
y
ouagai
n,
"hestat
edinadarkt
one,t
hreat
eni
ng.

"Why ?
"Iquest
ioned,notlett
ingmysel
fback
down.Iwasnothi sslav
e, hehadtogiv
emea
reasonbefor
eIdidany t
hingherequested.

Hi
snextwor
dshadmyey
eswi
deni
ngi
nshock.
"
Wear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
.
.
.
.
.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t3<3
.
.
.
"Iam tell
i
ngy ou, Mr .PalmerthatI'
m notgoi ng
tomar ryy ouifyou'reonl ymarryi
ngmeoutof
pity
, It
oldy oubef oreI'
m notachar it
ycase, so
please,don'twast ey ourtimeonsomeonel i
ke
me, I'
m sur eyougotot hergi
rlstoint
erview,"I
ratt
ledout ,wantingt hethreemill
ionai
rest hat
wer ecurrentl
yoccupy i
ngt hesofaofmyl i
ving
room, toleave.Thei rauthori
tati
veandgr and
presencei nmyl ivingroom mademef eel
sl
ightl
yclaustr
ophobic.Menli
kehimlooked
wayoutofpl aceinmyapartment.Menli
kehim
belongedingrandmansions,noti
nti
ny,
crampedapar tment
s.
"AndI
'mtell
ingyout
hatIwanttomarryyou,
andit
'snotoutofpi
ty,
"hest
ated,
star
ingdown
atme.
"Why?Justhoursagoy outoldmeIhadno
cl
assorstatus,i
nsul
ti
ngnotonl ymyf i
nancial
stat
usbutmygenesaswel l,andnowy ou'
re
heretel
l
ingmey ouwantt omar ryme,areyou
evenawareofhowr i
diculousthatsounds?"I
huff
ed,fr
owningatther i
chgiantinfr
ontof
me...
averyhandsomegi ant.
"ThattimeIdidn'
tconsi
deryouwifemat er
ial
,
andnowIdo, sogoandpacky ourbags,we'r
e
getti
ngmar r
iedinthr
eedays,"heanswered
smoot hly
,asifIwoul
dbeokaywi thhis
constantchangeofdecisi
ons.
"No,
Iref
usetomarr
yyou,
"Ist
ated,
crossi
ngmy
armsovermychest
.
"
Excuseme."
helookedtakenaback."
Youcan't
r
efusetomarr
yme; youcamet ome,aski
ngme
t
omar r
yyou,
"hesaidwithafrownonhisface.
"Thatti
meIwantedtomarr
yy oubecauseI
needmoneyf ormybrot
her
'ssurger
y,andnowI
don'twantt
omar r
yyou,
"Ir
espondedcooll
y.
Keir
ansni
ckeredfr
om behi
ndhi
m."
Damn,you
aresot
inybutyouhav
eahugeego,
"Kei
ran
commented.
"Idonothaveahugeego,Ij
usthav
ea
pref
erence,
andyoubrot
herisnoti
t,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Soyouwantedtomarrymybr
otheronl
yfort
he
money?"Kei
ranquest
ionedwi
thanamused
smil
eonhisface.
"
Yes,
Itol
dyout
hatbef
ore,
"Ianswer
ed.
"
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
ogett
hemoneyf
rom,
now?
"hequer
ied.
"Idon'tseehowi sthatanyofy ourbusiness,
"I
shotback, i
rri
tat
ed.Trut hwas, Ihadnocl ue
wher eIwasgoi ngtogett hemoneyf ormy
brother'
ssurgery,butIalsowasn' tgoingto
mar rysomeonewhot houghtIwasachar it
y
case.AndIdi dnotbeliev ehim whenhesai d
thathechangedhi smi nd, becausemenl i
ke
him didn'
tjustchanget heirmindsont hewhi m,
therehadt obeasol i
dr easonbehi ndit.
"Soinot herwor ds, whaty ou'
resay ingis,y
ou
don'thav emoneyf ory ourbrother'
ssur geryand
your efusetomar ryChr i
s,whocaneasi ly
providey ouwithf inanci alsuppor t
,"Keir
ansaid.
"Wow, notonlyy ou'reshor tandegot i
sti
c,you
arealsosel fi
shandst upid;Chris,areyousur e
youst il
lwantt omar ryher ?"KeiranaskedChr is
whowasst andingi nfr ontofmewi t
hhisey es
gluedt omyf ace.Kei r
anwasst art
ingtopiss
meof fandIwassocl oset osnappi ngathim
andtel
l
inghimt ogett
hehel
loutofmy
apar
tment,butmydamnmanner spr
event
ed
mefrom doingso.
"Iam notsel
fi
sh,
"Igr
it
tedout
,gl
ari
ngatKei
ran
whosatont hesofawit
hamischev
iousgr
inon
hisface.
"Ont hecont rary,
li
ttl
emushr oom,youare,you
aresosel fish;youar erejecti
ngaperfectl
ygood
proposal allbecausey oucoul dn'
thandle
rej
ect i
on,insteadoft hinkingaboutyourbrother
whocangetabet terli
feifyouwouldjustsuck
upy ourwomanpr ideandmar ryChri
s,youar e
tel
li
ngust haty ouchangedy ourmind,i
fthat'
s
notbei ngsel f
ish,t
hen, li
ttl
emushroom, tel
lme
whati s?"
"Fi
rstofall,don'tevercallmeli
tt
lemushroom,
andsecond, shutthehellup,y
oudon'tknowme,
soy ouhav enor ighttojudgemeonmy
decisions.Nico'ssurgeryismyprobl
em and
wher eI'
m goi ngtogetthemoneyi sal
somy
problem,sost
ayoutofi
t,
"Ihi
ssed,
myey es
narrowedatKei
ran,
whodidn'
tseem ef
fect
ed

"Somepeopl ear esostupi

d, r
ightChri
s? "Kei
ran
snickered,earninganotherglarefrom me."The
soluti
ont otheirproblemsarer i
ghtinfrontof
them, l
iter
allyknockingontheirdoor,andal l
thosepeopl ecar eaboutistheirpri
de.Ihope
theyknowt hatpr i
decomesbef or
ethef al
l.
"
Wit
houtthi
nking,Ichargedov ertowhereKeir
an
wassi
tti
ng,full
yintendingtostrangl
ethat
j
udgmentalasshole,butast r
ongar m woundi
ng
ar
oundmywai stpreventedme.
"Letgo,I'
m goi
ngtoki
l
lhim!"Ishr
ieked,
struggli
ngagai
nstt
hevice-
li
kegri
par oundmy
wai st
.
"St
opi
t,
"Chri
sorder
ed,bef
orepul
li
ngmeback
andst
andi
nginf
rontofKei
ran,
shi
eldi
nghi
m.
Taki
ngadeepbr
eat
hIcomposedmy
sel
fbut
didnotstopglar
ingatKei r
an."Now,
what
Keir
ansaidwasr ight,whycan'ty
oujustaccept
thi
sandgopacky ourbagsli
keagoodlit
tl
e
gir
l?"Chr
isenquired.
"Because,Idon'tunder standwhyi ntheUnited
Kingdom doy ouwantt omar ryme?Wheny ou
canhav eanygirly ouwant ;whent hereare
hundredsofgi r
lsget t
ingbut tcr
ampsf orsi
tti
ng
i
ny ourwaiti
ngar eawai t
ingfortheiri
ntervi
ew;
whyonEar thdoy ouwantt omar r
yme? "It
hrew
backathim.
"Doyouwantananswerf
orev
ery
thi
ng?
"Chr
is
asked.
"
Yes,
"Ist
ated.
"Wellyou'
renotget
ti
ngone,nowgoandpack
yourbags,thi
sapart
mentismaki
ngme
claustr
ophobi
c."Heunbut
tonedt
het
opofhis
shirt
.
"
Wel
lthenI
'
m notgoi
ngt
opackmybags,
"I
st
ated.
ThedoorofNi co'
sroom openedandNico
walkedout.Runni
nghiseyesoverthethr
ee
men, hi
sgazelandedonme." Al
ice,
is
everyt
hingokay?"
"Yes,
Nico,
ever
ythingisper
fect
lyf
ine,
"I
answeredi
mmedi atel
y,wal
ki
ngovertohi
m.
"Iheardy
ouscr
eaming,ar
ey ouokay?Didt
hey
hurtyou?
"Ni
coquesti
oned,glar
ingatt
hethree
men.
"
Yes,I
'm per
fectl
yfine,Iwasjustsurpri
sed
whenChrissai
dsomet hingsoIscr eamed,
"I
r
eassur
edhi m,cri
ngingattheawf ull
ie.
"
Whatdidhesayt
hatsur
pri
sedy
ousomuch?
"
Ni
coenqui
red.
Imentall
yshookmyhead.Nicoaskedalotof
quest
ions.Andsometi
mesthesequest
ions
annoyedme; ki
ndofl
i
keri
ghtnow.
"Wet ol
dy oursisterthaty
oucanhav ey our
surgeryandgety ourheartfixed,
"Chri
s
answer ed.Hi
swor dsmademecl osemyey es.
Themanhadnocl uewhent okeephismout h
shut.Hewasf eedingNicofalsehope,which
wouldonl ycreatemor eproblemsforme.
Nicolookedatmewi t
hhopefuleyesandguil
t
stabbedmyheartwhenIreal
izedhowIwas
goingtohavetofal
sif
yChri
sclaims,which
wouldbreakhisal
readyf
ragi
leheart.
"I
sittr
ue,Ali
ce?Di
dhesayt hathecangetmy
heartf
ixed?
"Nicoaskedhopeful
ly
.
Iwasj ustaboutsaynowhenKei
ranspokeup.
"Yes,butyoursist
erher
edoesnotagr
ee,"he
said.
Cur
singundermybr eathItur
nedmyheadto
gl
areatKeir
an.Thener veoft
hesemen!Using
mybrotheragainstme!Iknewwhattheywere
doi
ng.Bytell
ingNicoaboutgett
ingsur
ger
y,
t
heywereusi
ngNicoinor
dert
omakemeagr
ee
t
omarri
agewithChr
is.
Thehopei nNico'seyesshatt
er edasafrown
marredhisforehead.Myhear tcrackedat
seei
ngt helookonNi co'
sface."WhyAl i
ce?Do
younotwantmet ogetbetter?"Nico
questi
oned.
"No,no,t
hat'
snottrue.
..
"It
rai
ledof
f,atal
oss
forwords.Ther
ewasnoex cuseformetogiv
e
Nicowhichwouldexplai
nwhyIwasnot
agreei
ngtoallt
his.Damnthesearr
ogant
arsehol
es.

"
Soyoudoagreeonget
ti
ngmysurger
y,r
ight
?"
Ni
coqueri
edwit
hasmallsmi
l
e,t
hehopeback
i
nhisey
es.
"Uh,
um, y
eah,ofcour
seIdo,"Isai
dhesit
ant
ly.
"Whydon'
tyougoi ny
ourroom whil
eIsortt
his
outwit
hthemen, hmm?"Ireal
lywantedt
oNico
t
oleavesoIcoul
dgi
veChr
isapi
eceofmy
mind.
"Okay."Ki
ssi
ngmycheek,Nicoj
oggedbackt
o
hisroom andshutt
hedoor.
Iwhirl
edaround,throwingthethr
eement he
mostv enomousgl areIcouldmuster,fury
brewinginmyhear t.Thesemanipulati
v e
bastardshadcrossedt hel
ine.Now, Iwasdone
beingthenicegir
l.
"What'
swrong,
li
ttl
efair
y?Youokay?
"Chris
askedwit
hav i
ctor
ioussmil
eonhisface.
"Youar
egoingt
opayf
ort
his,
"Igr
it
tedout
,my
nail
sdi
ggi
nginmypal
ms.
"
Ofcourse,
I'
llpr
ovi
deyouwithfi
nanci
alsuppor
t,
l
i
ttl
epeach,don'
tworr
y,"her
esponded.
"
Iam goi
ngt
orui
nyourl
i
fe,
"It
hreat
ened.
"Oh,
li
tt
ledove,
whydon'ty
oubeagoodgirl
and
gopackyourbags,
"Chr
issai
d,myt
hreat
snot
f
azi
nghi
mint
hel
east
.
Hiswordsli
taf usei
nsideme.Thebrewing
angerfi
nal
lyreachedit
speakandwasnow
fl
owingli
kemol tenl
ava,heat
ingmycore.
"Yousonofa—"Iscr
eamedbutwascutof
fbya
boomingvoi
ce.
"
Sil
ence!
"
Hi
sf ather,whohadbeensi l
entsincethe
momentt heycame, r
osefrom thesofaand
st
rodeov ertowhereChri
swasst anding.Allof
asuddenIr eal
i
zedexactl
yhowsmal lIreal
l
y
was.Ihadt wostr
ongmenst andi
nginf r
ontof
me,stari
ngmedown.
"Youar ef or
getti
ngy ourplace.Youarecl
early
disobeyingmysonandIam notgoi ngto
toler
atet hat;doashesay sandgopacky our
bags,becauset r
ustmei fy oumakemeangr y
theny oushoul dknowt hatIam goingtocrush
you,"Mr .Palmerthreatened.
"
Dady oudon'
thavet
othreat
enher,shei
sgoi
ng
t
ogopackherbags,don'
tscareher
,"Chr
is
r
easonedwithhi
sfat
her.
"I
fshei sgoi
ngt obeyourwife,sheneedsto
knowwhati sexpectedofher,andthi
sblatant
displ
ayofdisrespecti
sgoingtocostherinthe
futur
e,"Mr.Palmersai
d.
BynowIhadt ear
sinmyey es.Mycour ageand
strengthdesertedmeast het hr
eemen
corneredme.Whi l
etwooft hem staredme
down, theotheronewassi tti
nglookingrelaxed.
Ther ewasnowayout .Theyhadt urnedmyown
brotheragainstme; usinghishopesandwi shes
againstme.Iwasr egrett
inggoingf orthe
i
nterv i
ew,Ididnotknowt hatIwouldendup
beingt hr
eatenedintot hi
smar ri
age.
"Chri
s,youcanfindotherwomen,bet
terwomen,
don'twasteyourti
meonme, "Isai
d,t
ryi
ngmy
besttoconv i
ncehim nott
omarryme.Itwas
funnyhowj ustafewhoursagoIwasreadyto
conv
inceChr
ist
omar
ryme.
"Idon'
twanttofi
ndanyotherwoman,I
'v
emade
upmymi nd,youaregoi
ngt obemywif
e,li
tt
le
one,"her
espondedsoft
ly,comi
ngcl
oserunti
l
hewasstandingmereinchesfr
om me.
"Iwil
lnotbeagoodwif
etoyou.Youarenever
goingtobehappywi
thme,"Ist
ateddesper
atel
y,
graspi
ngatstr
aws.
"Thatremai
nstobeseen,f
ornow,gopackyour
bags."God,
didhenotgett
ir
edofsayi
ngthe
samet hi
ngagai
nandagain?
Knowingthatt
herewasnothi
ngmoreIcoul
ddo
tochangehismind,
Icoul
donlyt
hinkofone
thi
ng.
"
I'
ll
mar
ryy
ou,
butononecondi
ti
on,
"It
oldhi
m.
"
Andwhati
sthat
,li
tt
lef
air
y?"Heenqui
redwi
th
asmal
lsmi
le.
"
Youst
atedi
ntheadt
haty
ou'
l
lpayonemi
l
li
on
poundsattheendoft
hey
earwhent
hecont
ract
i
sov er
,ri
ght?
"

Henodded.
"
Wel
l,Iwantt
hemoneynow,
onl
ythenI
'
llmar
ry
y
ou,
"Istat
ed.
"Sor
ry,
li
tt
ledove,
can'
tdot
hat
,"Her
esponded,
shaki
nghishead.
"
Whynot
?"
"Howwoul
dIknowifyou'
renotgoi
ngt
orun
awaywi
ththemoney?
"
"
Iam not
,youcant
rustme,
"Isai
d.
"
No,sorr
y,l
i
ttl
eone,you'
l
ljusthav
etowai
ta
y
earfort
hemoney ,
"Hesaid.
"
50per
cent
,"Inegot
iat
ed.
"
What
?"
"
Giv
emehal
ftheamountr
ightnowandhal
f
whent
hecont
racti
sov
er,
"Iexpl
ained.
Hebreat
hedanaudibl
esi
gh."Fine,I
'l
lpayy
ou
hal
ftheamountoncewegetmar ri
edandhalf
whenthecont
racti
sover
,"herepli
ed.
"
Done.
"
Ifel
tasi fahugebur denhadbeenl i
ft
edf rom
myshoul ders.Inowhadmoneyf orNico's
surgery,whichmeantt hatIwoul
dnothav eto
workmyar seoffinordertobuymedi cinesfor
mybr other.Now,hewasgoi ngtohav ehi s
surgeryandwoul dbeabl etol
iveli
felikeother
tenyearoldslikehim.
"
Youcangoanddiscussthi
swit
hyourbrot
her,
whi
lewegett
hecontractr
eadyf
oryoutosign,
"
Mr.
Pal
mersuggest
ed.
Noddi ngsl
ight
ly,
Ihurr
iedovert
oNico'
sroom.
Findingthedoorunl
ocked,Iqui
ckl
yenter
edand
closedthedoorbehindme.Nicolai
dinhisbed,
readingabook.Whenhesawme, heshutthe
bookandputi
tont
heni
ght
standnextt
ohi
s
bed.
"Nico, youknowwhent hemensaidthatthey
wer egoi ngtohelpusgety oursur
ger
ydone, "I
started.Niconodded, giv
ingmehiscompl et
e
attention."Wel
l,Ihavet omar r
yoneofthem f or
thatt ohappen,"Itoldhim.Iwasnotsurei fNico
wasgoi ngtounder stand,hewasonlyakid.
"I
fyoudon' tmarryhim,Iwi l
lnotgetmy
surgery?"ThesadnessinNi co'st
onehadmy
decisionsoli
dif
ying.Now, whateverhappened,I
wasgoi ngtomar r
yhim andgetthemoneyf or
Nico'ssurgery
.Icouldnotbeart oseehim sad.
"Yes.
"Howev
er,
Ihadt
otel
lhi
mthet
rut
h,r
ight
now.
"
Doy
oul
ovehi
m?"Ni
coasked.
"Yes,
Ido,"Ilied,smil
i
ngathim.Ifmybrother
foundoutt hatthismarr
iagewasarr
anged,then
hewouldt ellmenott omarryhi
m,andhis
dr
eamswoul
dbecr
ushed.
"Thenmarr
yhim,"herespondedwi
thasmi l
e.
Thatsmil
ewast hereasonIwasst
il
lfi
ght
ing
theworl
d.Andthatsmilewasther
easonI
wouldmarryhi
m.
"
Okay
,thanky
ou,
"It
oldhi
m.
Ruffl
inghishairabit
,IstrodeoutofNico'
s
room andbacki ntheliv
ingroom whereMr.
Palmer ,
Chri
sandKei ranweresitt
ingonthe
sofa,withablackbri
efcasewhichwasopened
containi
ngvarioussortofpapers,
whileChri
s
heldaf i
lei
nhishands.
"Thi
sisthecontract
,signi tandwearegetti
ng
marri
edinthreedays,"Het oldmeonceIsat
downnextt ohi
m.Hegav emet hefi
l
e,let
ti
ng
megot hroughthecont entofthecontr
act.
Taki
ngmyt ime,Icar
eful
lywentt
hroughthe
cont
ract
.Itstat
edthatIhadtogi
vehim anhei
r
wit
hinayearotherwi
seIwasnotgoingtoget
theamountpr omised.Ot herthanthat, Ihadt o
attendev erysi
ngleev enthewasgoi ngt obe
i
nv it
edt o,andwoul dhav etotrymybestt obe
theper fectwif
e.Upont heendi ngoft he
contract,Iwasf r
eet odat eothermenbut
beforet hatIwasgoi ngt ohav etobef aithfulto
him.Al so,aft
erthebabywasbor nandt he
contractwoul dend, i
twasmychoi cewhet herI
want edt obeapar toft hebaby 'sli
feornot ;if
so, t
henIwoul dhav et ogot ocourtforacase
ofjointcustody,otherwi sethebabywoul dbe
his.
"Youdi
dn'
tsaythathalft
heamountwi
l
lbe
givent
omer i
ghtnow,"Itol
dChr
is.
"Yeah,becausewej ustmadet hecondit
ionr
ight
now, youwil
l gett
her ev
isedcontr
acttomorr
ow,
butfornow, signhere,
"Herepli
ed,poi
ntingt
oa
dottedli
ne.
"HowdoIknowy
ou'
renotbl
uff
ing?
"I
quest
ioned.
"BecauseInev ergobackonmywor d,plus
Keiranwi l
lbestayingwithyoutonightunt ilthe
newcont r
acti
smadeandt henyou'llsignthat,
butf ornowsignthi sasIwantther eassur ance
thaty ou'
renotgoingt obackout,
"her epli
ed.
Sighi
ngdeepl
y,Ihel
doutmyhand."
Giv
emea
pen."
Hei mmediatelyhandedmeanexpensi ve,sil
ver
,
fountai
npen, wit
hsomeki ndofsignat
ureon
thecap.Withoutthinki
ngtwice,Ir
emovedt he
capoft hepenandsi gned.Isi
gnedmylifeaway .
Isignedmy sel
faway
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t4<3
.
.
.

Yousur
ey ou'
real
ri
ghther
e?"IaskedKei
ranas
hesur
veyedmybedroom.
"Yeah,l
it
tl
emushroom,thi
sisperf
ect
."He
splayedhi
shandswide,
gestur
ingtomy
bedroom.
"Sor
ryi
t'
snotuptoy
ourst
andar
ds,"I
apol
ogi
zed,f
iddl
i
ngwit
hmynecklace.
"
You'
rekiddi
ngme,ri
ght
?"Keir
anstaredatme
i
ncr
edulousl
y."
Thi
sisgr
eat,Ir
eal
l
yl i
kethe
r
oom,"hetol
dme.
"
Okaythen,
youshoul
dgetsomesl
eep,
"Isai
d
t
oKeir
ansoftl
y.
"
Wher
eareyougoingt
osleep?"Kei
ranasked
mej
ustasIt
urnedtol
eav
et heroom.
"I
'
llsl
eeponthecouch.
..
int
heli
vi
ngroom,
"I
answered,
wait
ingtoseewhet
herhewoul
dask
meanymor
equest
ions.
"
Right
,goodni
ght
,"Kei
ransai
d,di
smi
ssi
ngme.
Takingt
hatasmycuetol eav
e,Iwal
kedoutof
mybedroom whichKei
ranwasgoingtobe
occupyi
ngfort
henight
.
Chri
sandhisfat
herhadleftsoonaft
erIhad
si
gnedthecontr
act,andj
ustasHesai dKei
ran
wasgoingtobespendingthenighti
nmy
apar
tmentunti
lthenextmorningwhenthenew
cont
ractwoul
dar r
ive.
Sincemyapar t
menthadonl ytwo
bedr ooms,onewasmybr other '
swhil
etheot
her
wasmi ne,
IhadtoletKeir
ansl eepinmyroom
tonight;hewas,aft
erall
,aguestandIwasnot
goingt omakehi m sl
eepont hecouch;my
mot hertaughtmebet t
erthant hat
.
Joggingov ert
oNi co'
sroom, Ienter
edandwent
str
aightforhiscupboard.Hearingthesoundof
waterrunning,IknewthatNicowasi nthe
bathroom, probablybrushinghisteeth.Getti
ng
backt othet askathand, Iopenedt hedouble
doorsoft hecupboar d,thengrabbedasmal l
chair
, whichNi cousedforv ari
ouspur poses,
andusedi ttoreachhigher.Oncemyhand
reachedt het opofthecupboar d,Ipull
edouta
coupleoff leeceblanketsthenclosedt he
cupboarddoor s.
"Whatar
ey oul
ooki
ngfor?
"Ni
coaskedme,
comingoutoft
hebathr
oom,wear
inghi
s
pyj
amas.
"Ijustcameher etogetthebl
anket
s,andit'
s
alsot i
mef oryourmedici
ne,l
ookIbroughtyou
mi lk."Igestur
edtotheglassofmil
kwhi chwas
sittingonNi co'
snight
stand.
Withoutawor d,
Ni coshuf f
ledovertohi
sbed
andquicklygotundert hecov er
s.Iper
chedon
theedgeofHi sbedt henhandedhi mtheglass
ofmilkalongwitht hepil
ls.Taki
ngthepil
lsfr
om
mypal m,Heputt hem inhismout hand
swal
l
owedt
hem wi
thmi
l
k.
EventhoughIwaspr oudofthef actthatmyt en
yearol
dbrothercouldswallowpi ll
swi thout
thr
owingup,itsaddenedmet hathehadt o
l
earntheartofpillt
akingatsuchat enderage.I
rememberhowhar ditwas,ini
ti
al l
y,whenNi co
wasprescri
bedpi l
lsbythedoct or,Ihadt oact
l
ikeBen10inor dertomakeNi cot akethepi l
ls.
"
Idon'
tli
kethesepi
ll
s,
"Nicomutt
ered,aft
er
f
ini
shi
ngtheglassofmil
kandhandingitt
ome.
Myheartcrackedwithsympat
hyformybrother
.
Idi
dnotlikegivi
nghimthepil
l
sanymorethan
heli
kedtakingthem.Buti
thadtobedone.For
hi
shealt
h.
"Iknow,butsoonyouwon'
thav
et ot
aket
he
pil
ls,
"Iassur
edhim wi
thasmallsmi
l
e.
"
Iwishyougetmarri
edsoonsoIdon' thaveto
t
akethesepil
ls,
"Ni
cosaid,cover
ingthetopof
myhand,thatwascl
utchi
ngt hef
leeceblanket
s,
wi
thhi
sown.
"
Don'
tworry
,I'
l
lgetmarri
edint hr
eeday s,
and
t
henyouwil
lhaveyoursurgery
,"Irepl
i
ed,
want
ingt
oeasemybr other'
swor r
ies.
"
ThenIwon'
thavetotaket
hesepi
l
ls,
right
?"
Ni
coaskedhopef
ull
y.
"Noy ouwon'
t.
"Ishookmyhead."
Now,
got
o
sleep,i
t'
sget
ti
nglate.
"
Withasmi l
e,NicolaiddownandIpul ledthe
t
hickblanketupt ohischi
n.Kissinghis
f
orehead,Istoodupandt urnedont henight
l
ight.Wit
haqui cksmi l
einNico'sdir
ecti
on,who
wasalreadyasleep,Ipaddedoutofhi sroom,
makingsuretol eav
et hedoorajar.
Putt
ingthebl anketsonthecouch, If
ixedthe
cushionsagainstthearm ofthecoucht henlai
d
downoni t.Quicklypul
li
ngmyf leeceblanket
s
overmy sel
f,Iclosedmyey esandpr eparedto
sl
eep.
Howev er,t
hebit
terchilloftheni
ghtprevented
mefrom dozingof f
.Instead,i
tgavebirt
htot he
chat
teringofmyt eethandbonewr acking
shi
vers,makingmecr avethecomfortand
warmthofmybl ankett hatKeir
anwascur rentl
y
sl
eepingunder.
Afteraf ewhour sofheari
ngmyt eethchatt
er,I
threwt hebl anketsoffmeandgotup.Rubbi ng
myey eswi ththebackofmyhands, Ist
if
leda
yawn.St andingup, Imademywayi ntoNico'
s
room t ogr abapai rofwoolensocksandgloves.
IfIdidnotweart wopai r
sofsocksandapai rof
gloves, Iwassur eIwouldn'
tbeget t
ingany
sleept onight.
Quietl
ygoi
ngt owar dstheclosetwhichhoused
Nico'
sclot
hing,Islowlyopenedt hedoorand
tookoutapairofgl ovesandsocks,whichdid
nottakeawhol elotofrummagi ngthrough,t
hen
closi
ngthecupboar d,IsneakedoutofNi co'
s
room.
Hastil
ypulli
ngt hesocksandgl ovesonmyf eet
andhands, Iwentbackt omybedandonce
againpreparedt osleep.Thisti
me, however
, I
didmanaget ofalli
nt helandofdreamsand
nightmares,alt
houghi twasnoteasy ,butIwas
thankfulnonetheless.

"Goodmorni
ng,l
it
tl
emushroom,"Keiran
greet
ed,
yawningopenmouthed,causingmet
o
gri
mace.
"Wouldyoust
opcall
ingmet hat
,"Imut
ter
ed,
placi
ngthepl
atesontheki
tchencount
erfor
NicoandKeir
an.
"Nope,
Ili
kecall
i
ngy ouli
ttl
emushr oom,and
whenIli
kesomet hi
ngIdon'tstopdoingor
wanti
ngit
,"heanswered,si
tti
ngononeoft he
chai
rs.
"Yes,
buti
tir
ri
tat
esme, "Icompl
ained,
goi
ng
backtowhi
skingtheeggs.
"
You'
llgetusedtoit
,ever
ybodydoes,
"he
r
esponded,fol
dinghi
sarmsont hecount
er.
"Idoubti
t,
"Imut
ter
edundermybreat
hasI
pouredthewhi
skedeggsi
nthepan.
"
What'
sforbreakf
ast
?"Kei
ranaskedwhi
l
e
t
ext
ingonhisphone.
"Scr
ambl edeggs,br
eadandbacon,i
sthatokay?
Icanmakesomet hingelsei
fyouwant.
"Despit
e
thecrazycir
cumstacesunderwhi
chKeir
anwas
stayi
nghere,Idi
dnotwanttogivehi
m
somet hi
nghedidnotli
ke,hewasaguestafter
all
.
"Yup,per
fectl
yfi
ne,wher
eisyourbrot
her?
"
Keir
anquer i
ed,l
ooki
ngaroundformybrother
.
"Heisinthebathr
oom,Iwokehim up,he'
ll
be
hereinafewmi nut
es,
"Iansweredhim,
completel
yfocusedonmycurrenttask.
"
Hmm,
howdi
dyousl
eep?
"hequest
ioned.
Frowni
ng,IeyedKeir
anwi t
hcuriouseyes.
"Uh.
..
fi
ne,
Isleptfi
ne,
"Iresponded,al
thoughi
t
wasnotexactlyt
hetrut
h.
"Youmov edaroundalot,
Ibeli
evey
oudidnot
sleepunti
l2:
00am lastni
ght,
"hestat
ed,
makingmewonderhowi ntheworl
ddidhe
knowIwasawake; wasInotasqui
etasI
thoughtIwas?
"
Idi
dn'tknowyouhaddoggi
eear
s,whendi
d
y
ousleep?"Ismi
ledathi
m.
"
Ididsleep,butwokeupbecausey ouwer
e
movingaround, I
'
m al i
ghtsleeperandIdohav
e
ver
ygoodhear ing,"herepl
ied.
"Well
,I
'm sor
ryfordi
stur
bingy
oulastni
ght,
"I
sai
dtohim, f
eeli
ngsli
ghtl
ygui
ltyf
ormakingmy
guestuneasy.
"Don'tbe,
bytheway,
whywereyour
oaming
aboutsolateni
ght
?"Heenqui
redwi
thasof
t
smile.
ItookKeiran'
splatebackt of i
l
litwithfood,t
hen
placedtheplatefi
lledwithbacon, eggsand
breadinfrontofKei r
an."Ihadtomakesur e
Nicowasal lri
ght,Icheckuponhi mt wiceor
thri
ceeverynight,
so. .
.y
eah,"Itoldhim,going
backtowor kingonNi co'
sbr eakfast.
"Yout
akereal
lygoodcar
eofNi
co,Imeanreal
l
y
good,
"hestat
ed,maki
ngmesmilesadl
y.
"
Ilov
et aki
ngcareofmybr
other
,he'
smyonl
y
f
amily,
"Iexpl
ainedt
ohi
m.
"
Whot
akescar
eofy
out
hen?
"Kei
ranasked.
Shakingmyhead,Ismil
ed."Idon'
tneedanyone
totakecar
eofme, Icantakecareofmy sel
f,
beendoingitf
orquit
eafewy earsnow,"I
answered.
"Goodmor ni
ng,
Ali
ce,
"Nicogr
eetedwit
ha
smile,
sit
ti
ngononeofthetworemaini
ngchai
rs.
"Goodmorni
ng,howareyou?
"Ismi l
edatNi
co,
placi
nghi
sbreakf
astpl
atei
nfrontofhi
m.
"Good,
"Ni
corepl
i
ed."
Howar
eyou,
sir
?"he
askedKei
ran.
"I
'
m good,
youngman,
"Kei
ranr
epl
i
edwi
tha
smil
e.
AssoonasIt ur
nedtomakebr eakf
astf
or
my sel
f,t
hedoorbellr
ang.Wonder i
ngwho
couldbev i
sit
ingmesoear l
yinthemorni
ng,I
ventur
edoutoft heki
tchentoopenthedoor
.
"
Goodmor ning,Ali
ce.
"Chri
sdeep,si
l
kyvoi
ce
mademykneeswobbl e.Gazi
ngathi
mthrough
mylashes,Igr i
tt
edmyt eetht
ostopmyjaw
f
rom dropping.
Hewasl ooki
ngsohandsomei nhisthr
eepiece
sui
t,wit
hhishairstyl
edneat
lyandhisshoes
shi
ningtoperf
ection.Hewasholdi
ngabluefil
e
i
nhishandswhi chIassumedwast henew
cont
ract.
"Goodmor ni
ng,pl
easecomein."Ist
epped
asidesoHecouldenter
,order
ingmyheartto
stoppounding.
Oncehewasi
nside,
Icl
osedthedoorthenwent
backt
otheki
tchent
oprepar
ebreakf
ast.
"Woul
dy oul
i
ket
ohav
ebr
eakf
ast
?"Iaskedhi
m
pol
it
ely
.
"
Yes,
Iwi
l
l,
"her
espondedsi
mpl
y.
Noddingmyhead,Iquicklyprepar
edeggs,
baconandbreadforChris.OnceIplacedthe
plat
eoffoodinfr
ontofhi m,Ireal
i
zedt hatIhad
runoutofbaconandeggs.
"Thi
sist
henewcontr
act
,si
gni
t,
"Heor
der
ed,
pushi
ngthef
il
etowar
dsme.
"
I'
ll
sign,
eaty
ourbr
eakf
ast
,"It
oldhi
m.
"
No,
signi
tnow,
"heor
der
ed.
"Can'
titwai
ttil
laf
terbr
eakf
ast
?"Thi
smanwas
clear
lysomethi
ng.
"No,Iwon' teatbreakfastunt
ily
ousignthe
contract,"Hepersist
ed, maki
ngmesi ghin
frust
ration.Wehady ettobemar r
iedandhe
wasal readygetti
ngonmyner ves.
Openingthefi
le,Iqui
cklywentthr
ought he
revi
sedcontentthenheldoutmyhandf orapen,
whichhei mmediatel
yhandedtome.Gi ving
Nicoacov er
tglance,Ihast
il
yscri
bbledmy
signatur
eoverthedottedli
nes,
thenclosingthe
fi
le,handedi
ttohim, whotookitwit
houtawor d
andbeguneat i
ng.
Grabbingtwopiecesofbread,
Ispr eadmango
j
am ont hesli
cesthentookabite.Ihadgobbl
ed
uphalfofmysandwi chwhenhisv oice
thunderedthr
oughmyapar tment,makingme
dropmysandwi ch.
"
Whatar
ey oudoing?
"heasked,
irr
it
ati
on
mar
ri
nghisface.
"
Uh.
..
hav
ingbr
eakf
ast
?"I
tcameoutasa
quest
ion,
eventhoughIi
ntendedf
ort
he
opposi
tetohappen.
"That
'sall
you'
regoi
ngtohav
e?"Hequest
ioned,
aghast,
makingmewonderwhatwaswrong
witheat
ingasandwich.
"Yes?
"Anot
herquest
ion,
bloodyhel
lIneededt
o
stopdoi
ngthat
.

Standingup,
hestrodeov ertome.Takinga
holdofmyar m,heledmeal l
thewayt ohi
s
chairandfor
cedmet ositdown.Givi
ngmet he
knif
eandf or
kheor dered,"
eatthi
s,nowonder
you'r
esosmal l
andski nny.
"
"No,Imadethi
sforyou,
Icanmakemysel
f
somethingel
se,
"Isai
dtohim,
whostood
toweri
ngoverme.
"
No,
youaregoingtoeatthi
s,y
ouneednut
ri
ti
on,
y
ouaresoweak,"hest
ated.
"
Butwhatar
eyougoingtoeat?
"Iwasnotgoi
ng
t
olethi
m gowi
thoutbr
eakfast
.
"That'
snotyourconcer
n,j
ustdowhatIsayand
eatthi
s,".
"
Fine."St
abbi
ngtheeggswi
thmyf orkIli
ft
ed
t
hef orkt
omymout h."
AndI
'm notskinnyor
weak,"It
oldhi
m.
"Yesyouare,
"Keir
anchi
medi
n.Themanwas
nevergoi
ngtosidewit
hme.
Chri
sdidnotoncer emov ehiseyesf rom meas
Iwaseat i
ng,makingbreakfastveryawkwar d
anddiff
icul
tforme.Usually,Iwasr elaxed
wheneverIatebutnotthismor ning,this
morningIwashy perawareofev erythingIwas
doi
ng.
WhenIwashal ffi
nishedwithmybreakf
ast
Chri
stooktheplat
ef rom me.Ey
einghimfrom
myperch,Inar
rowedmyey eswhenIheardhim
chuckl
e.
"Don'
teatal
lofi
t,l
eav
esomeforme,
li
tt
lef
air
y,"
hesaidwit
hanamusedsmil
e.
Gobbl i
nguptheremaini
ngfood,
heputthe
pl
at einthesi
nkthenwenttohavea
conv er
sati
onwithNico,
whohadquickl
y
fi
nishedhisbreakf
astandwasnowwat chi
ng
TV.
Aft
erwashi ngthedishes,Iwentt
oNi cowit
hhi
s
medicines.Aft
erhet ookhismedi
cine,Chri
s
tol
dmehewant edtotalktomeinprivat
e.
Givi
nghi m apeculi
arlook,Il
edhi
mi nmy
bedroom andclosedt hedoor.
"Whati
sit
,isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"Iasked
anxi
ousl
y.
"Yes,Iwant
edtoknowt hatsi
ncewear
egett
ing
mar r
iedinl
essthanthr
eedayswouldy
ouli
ke
met oaccompanyy ouwhenyougotobuyy
our
dress?"Heasked.
Conf
usi
onf
il
ledmeaf
terhear
inghi
swor
ds.
"
Whatdr
ess?
"Iquer
ied.
"
Yourweddi
ngdr
ess.
"Oh,
sot
hat
'
swhathe
meant
.
"Idon'tneedadress,
Ihav
eawhi t
edress,pl
usI
can'texactl
yaf
fordanewdress,
"Itol
dhim.
"Youareget
ti
ngmar r
iedtome,whichmeans
you'r
enotpooranymoreandsecond,y
ouare
goingtobegett
ingabrandnewdress,sowhen
willy
ouli
ketogoshoppingfory
ourdress?
"
Woah, t
heideaofbuyingaweddingdressnev
er
occuredtome.Hell
,thethoughtofact
uall
y
gett
ingmarri
edneveroccuredtome.
"
Right
..
.we'
l
lgot
omor
row,
".
"Good,
seey outomorrow,l
i
ttl
edove.
"Ki
ssi
ng
mesoftlyonthecheek,Hetur
nedandst
rode
outoftheroom.

Thet
hreeday
sofmybachel
oret
tehoodf
lew
away.Withafewshoppingtr
ips,whi
ch
consi
stedofmydr essandaccessor
ies,
and
Nico'
ssuitandshoes.
Christoldmet hattheweddi ngwasgoi ngtobe
smal landprivatewi t
honl yhisfatherand
brothersandmybr other
.Howev er,healsosaid
thatifIwant edal avi
shweddi ngal lIhadtodo
wassayso, butIdi dnotwantagr andweddi ng.
Thisweddi ngwasar rangedandIonl ywant ed
theonemi l
li
onpoundshepr omi sedme,
nothingmor enot hingless.Theweddi ng
clot
heswer etheonl ythi
ngsIwasgoi ngto
acceptf r
om him; Iwasnotgoi ngt olethim
spendanot herext rapennyonme.
Idi
dnotbot heraski
nghim wherethewedding
wasgoi ngtobehel d,becausefr
ankl
y,Idi
dnot
care.Ijustneededtomar ryhi
m, bei
tincourtor
i
nchur ch,Ijustneededtofulf
il
lmyendoft he
contract.
Nowt
hedaywasher
e.ThedayIwasgoi
ngt
o
mar r
yChri
s.Thedayt hatwasgoingtochange
myandmybr ot
her'
slife.Thedaythatwas
goingtobethestar
tofhappyday sordaysof
despair
,Iwasnotsure.
Sowhenthedoorbel
lrang,si
gnall
ingt
hear
ri
val
oftheper
sont
hatwasgoi ngtotakemetomy
husbandt
obe,Iwasready.
Iwasr
eadyt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
TheCEO
.

<3I
nser
t5<3
.
.
.
Thedri
verpar
kedthecarjustout
sideofasmal
l
chur
ch.Iwasabouttoopenthedoorbutthe
dr
iverbeatmet
oit
.
Iwasaboutt
ogetoutwhenamascul i
nehand
appear
edinfr
ontofme.Looki
ngup,myeyes
l
ockedwit
hBrenton's,
whowasleani
ngdown,
hi
shandoutstr
etched.
Precar
iousl
yholdingont
ohishand,Igotoutof
thecar.AssoonasIwassteady,Ir
emov edmy
handfrom Brent
on's.
"
Thanky
ou,
"Isai
dsof
tl
y.
Brentonnodded,
thenturnedt
owardsthe
entr
anceofthechurch."Come,mybrotheri
s
waiti
ngforyou,
"hestated.
"Wait,wher
eismybr ot
her
?"Iaskedwor r
iedly
.
Nicohadbeendr i
venawayinanothercar.
Brentontol
dmet hatmybrotherwouldarri
veat
thechurchbefor
emef orGodknowswhat
reason.
"
Heisalr
eadyi
nside,
comewedon'
twantt
obe
l
ate,
"Br
entont
oldme.
Gat
her i
ngsomeoft hef
lowymat eri
alofmy
weddinggownsoIwoul dn'
ttr
ipandf al
l
.Ibegan
t
oslowl ywalki
nsi
dethechurch,readytoget
marr
ied, wi
thBr
entonsl
owlywalkingbesideme.
BrentonwasChr i
sandKei ran'
syoungest
brother.Hewast heonewhohadcomet otake
met ochur ch.Throughouttheri
de, Brenton
hardlyspoket ome; othert
hantheusual oneor
twowor danswers,hehadr emainedf air
ly
sil
ent,atrai
tIbeli
eved,didnotsuithim.
AsIr eachedthethresholdofthechurch,Nico
cameboundi ngt ome, beamingwhilelooki
ng
adorableandhandsomei nhissui
t.Runningmy
eyesov erhi
m, IprayedtoGodt oletmeseemy
brothergrowupandl ookhandsomei ntuxedos
andsui t
sashemar riedthewomanofhi s
dreams.
Withoutaword,Ni
cooff
eredmehi sar
m.
Smili
ngathi
m whil
epreventi
ngtearsf
rom
escapingmyeyes,
Igent
lytookholdofhi
sar
m.
Brent
onsqueezedNico'
sshoul
derbef
ore
walki
ngaheadofustowardswhereChr
is,
Keir
anandMr .Pal
merstoodnextt
othepri
est
.
"
Comeon,Ali
ce,I
'm goingtogi
veyouaway,
"
Ni
cosai
dtome, smili
ng.Ihadafeel
i
ngnot
manyt
enyearol
dsgott osayt
hosewordst
o
t
hei
rel
dersi
ster
s.
Withaquicknod,Ni
coandIslowl ybegan
walki
ngtowhereChrisstood,
lookingtotal
l
y
sexyi
nasui t
,wit
hKeiranandBrent onst
anding
nextt
ohim, whi
leMr.Palmerstoodont heother
si
deofwher emyhusbandt obest ood.
Ihadnoflower
sinmyhands;nobridesmai
dsto
walkaheadofme;nori
ngbearerorfl
owergi
rl
;
j
ustmeandmybr other
.
Inacoupl eofminut
es,Iwasst
andi
nginfront
ofChris,whostr
etchedouthi
shandformet o
take.Closi
ngmyey es,It
ookhi
shand,andwas
standi
ngi nfr
ontofhim,whi
let
hepri
eststood
i
nthemi
ddl
eofus.
"Shal
lwebegi
n?"Thepr
iestaskedChr
is,
who
nodded.
Iclosedmyey esast hewhi t
erobedpr iestsai
d
theusual words.Talkingaboutl oveand
mar ri
agebeingsacr edandwhat not.Twicemy
consciousnaggedatmet or unawayandnott o
getmar ri
edtoat otal st
ranger,butfeel
ingmy
brother'
spresencenextt omewaswhatkept
mei nplace.
Thepri
estaskedusi
fwewouldli
ketosaythe
st
andardvowsorwhetherwehadourown.
Chri
soptedfort
hest
andardvows.Smartman.
Soont hetimecamef ormetosay"Ido.
"It
would'vebeeneasi
erifIweresayi
ngthev ows
totheloveofmyl i
feinst
eadoftoarandom
mil
lionair
e.However,Isi
gnedacontr
act,andi t
mightsoundcrazy,butIbeli
evedImarr
iedhi m
assoonasIhadsi gnedmynameont hepi ece
ofpaper
,thi
smar r
iagei
nfrontofthepri
estwas
j
ustaformalit
y,Hi
m andIhadalreadysi
gnedan
agr
eement .

Afterabland"Ido"from t hebothofus, thenthe

exhangingofrings,thepr i
estgaveChr is
permissiontokissme.Hebenthi sheadand
softl
ykissedme.Hi ski sshadbutterfl
ies
fl
utter
inginmybel ly,butthosebutterfl
iesdied
themomenthi sl i
psleftmi ne,
whichwasaf tera
fewseconds.Hi skisshel dnoemot ion,yetit
awokebut ter
fl
iesinmyst omachthatIdi dn't
evenknowexi sted.
Theonl ypersonwhohoot edwasKei r
an;the
othersmer el
ycongr atul
atedChrisandI.After
thecongr at
ulat
ingpar twasov er
,Chri
sledme
outoft hechurch,whichprovedtobeslightl
y
dif
ficul
tformeasmypuf fygownwasbecame
apai ninthearse.Themandi dnotevenhelp
carrythepuffy,f
lowymat erial
,somegent l
eman
hewas!
Therestoodasleek,sil
verAstonMartin,
justas
westeppedoutoft hechurch.Thedri
v er
'sdoor
opened,andauniformedchauf f
eursteppedout.
Tippi
nghischauffuercapinChrisdi
recti
on,the
chauff
ueropenedt hebackdoor.
"
Aft
ery
ou,
"Chr
issai
dtome.
Nodding,Isl
idi
nsidethesl
eekcar,hi
m
foll
owingsoonafterme.Justast
hedoor
closedwithasoftalmosti
naudi
blethud,
my
heartsank.
"
Wher
eisNi
co?
"
"Youdoknowwearemar r
iedright
?"Heasked.I
sensedhemeanti
tasrhet
oricalquest
ion,
butI
wasconfusedwhyheevenaskedt hat
.
"
What
?"Iwasr
eal
l
ydumb.
"
Wearemar r
iednow,whi
chmeansI '
my our
f
ir
stpr
ior
it
ynow, noty
ourbr
otherorany
one
el
se,me,getthatthr
oughy
ourhead,
li
tt
lef
air
y,"
Herespondedbluntl
y.
"Yes.
..
but.
..
mybr other
."Ireall
yneededt oknow
wherehewas.I fhewoul djusttel
l mewherehe
wasIwoul drel
ax.Iknewwewer emar r
ied,
butI
j
ustcan'tnotworryaboutmybr otherwhohad
knownmef arl
ongerthanChr isdid.
Hesi
ghedi
rr
it
ably."
Heisintheothercarwit
h
mydadandbrot
hers,
"heansweredbriskl
y.
"
Thanky
ou,
"Imut
ter
edsof
tl
y.
"Youneedt
osety ourpr
ior
it
iesst
rai
ght,
Ali
ce,I
hopeyouunder
standwhatI'mtry
ingtosay
,"
Noddi
ngmyhead, Itur
nedawayfr
om hi
mt o
l
ookoutoft hewi
ndow,watchi
ngast
hetrees
andbuil
dingsbl
urr
edawayaswemov ed
for
ward.
Iunder
stoodexact
lywhathewast r
yingtosay.
Hewantedmet omakehi m myfi
rstpri
ori
ty,
somethi
ngthatwaseasiersai
dthandone.
May be,wi t
ht i
me, Chriswoul dbecomemyf i
rst
pri
ority;butIdoubt editsincewewer egoi ngt o
bemar r
iedf oronlyay eart henwewoul dgoour
separateway s.May be,afterNico'ssurgery,I
mightbeabl et omakehi m myf ir
stpriori
ty.But
Iwoul dnott ellhimthat,Ihadt ot r
ymybestt o
l
ethim knowt hathewasmyf i
rstpri
orit
y.This
marriagemi ghtbef akeorar ranged,butImade
avowi nfrontofGodt olov eandcher i
shhi m,
andst aywi t
hhi mt hrought hegoodandbad
ti
mes.AndImi ghtnotbeabl etolovehim, butI
wouldcher i
shhi m andtakecar eofhim and
wouldst andnextt ohimt hroughgoodandbad
ti
mes.
Alltoosoont hecarstopped.Ibl
inkedmyeyes
tocomebackt oEart
h.Turni
ngmyheadt olook
atthef ront
,myey eswidenedwhenIsawa
stonecast l
e.Itwasgiganti
candwasbuilt
similartothemedi ev
alcastl
esinthepr
evi
ous
centuries.
"Youliv
ehere?"Iaskedhghi
m,appal
l
edatt
he
giantstr
uct
ure.
"Wearegoi
ngtol
i
veher
e,"her
epl
i
ed,
get
ti
ng
outoft
hecar.
Liveher
e?!Int
hisgigant
iccastl
e?!Washefor
real?
!Hewasgoi ngtomakemel i
veher
eli
kea
pri
ncess?!Woah,tal
kaboutCinderel
l
acoming
toli
fe!
Sti
llstaringatthel
oftycastl
e,Ishuf
fl
edoutof
thecar .Oncemyf eetwerefir
ml ypl
antedonthe
ground, Ibunchedupt hepoofymateri
alofmy
gownandbegunwal kingwit
hhi mtowardsthe
castlethatwasgoi ngtobemynewhomef ora
year.
TheCEO
<3I
nser
t5CONTI
NUATI
ON<3

.
.
.
.

Ni
coi
sgoingtol
i
v ewi
thus,
right
?"Icoul
dn'
t
st
opmysel
ffr
om aski
ng.
"Yes,
buthewi
ll
comehereaf
tert
woweeks,"he
answered,
maki
ngmestopdeadi
nmytracks.
"
What
?Why?"Iasked,
near
lyshout
ing,
joggi
ng
t
ocat
chupt
ohi m.
"Becausewear egoi
ngtogettoknoweach
otherintwoweeks;pl
usIneedtomakesure
youstayquietwhil
ewehavesex,don'
twantt
o
scarthepoorfell
aatsuchayoungage,
"he
mut t
ered.
"Whatdoyoumean, ar
ethewal
l
snotsound
proof
?"Ienqui
red.
"
Theyar
e,butgi
rl
sjustcan'
tkeept
hei
rlungsi
n
checkwhenIhavesexwiththem, i
t'
sli
ke
somebodyinser
tedaloudspeakerorablow
hornint
heplaceofthei
rvoi
cebox ,t
heir
screamsshakethewall
sup,
"her epli
ed.
"
Wow,richandcocky
,at
err
ibl
ecombi
nat
ion,
"I
t
oldhi
m.
"I
'
mj uststat
ingfact
s."Heconti
nuedwalki
ng.
Thecastlewaspr et
tyfarawayfr
om wherethe
carstopped;Ionl
yreali
zeditwhenIhadtowalk
al
lthewayt oit.
"Soyoudon'tli
kescreamer
s?"Iquest
ioned,
surpr
isedattheri
dicul
ousconver
sati
onwe
werehaving.
"Ihavenoissuewithscr
eamer s,butIprefer
whimperesander ot
icbr
eathers,
"her esponded
asiftel
li
nghissexualpr
eferenceswasan
every
dayconv er
sati
on.
"
CanIasky
ouaquest
ion?
"Iasked.
"
Aft
eraski
ngsomany
,nowy
ou'
reaski
ngf
or
permission?"Thismanhadanuncannyabi
l
ity
from shi
fti
ngf r
om bei
ngni
cetobeingatot
al
tosser.
"Whydoyouwanty
ourwi
fet
obeav
irgi
n?"I
askedany
way.
"Becauseavir
ginhasahi
gherchanceof
becomingpregnantt
henawomanwhoi snota
vir
gin,
"heanswered.
"
That
'snott
rue,
"Iar
gued.
"
May
benot
,butIbel
i
eveso,
"hest
ated.
"Awomanwhoi snotavir
ginhasanequal
chanceofbecomi
ngpregnant
."Iwasnotgoi
ng
tolett
hisgo.
"Idonotagreewi
thyou.Yes,
awomanwhoi s
notav i
rgi
nwouldhaveachanceofbecoming
pregnant,
butavi
rgi
nhasahigherchance,
"he
responded.
"
Doesnot
,"Icount
ered.
"
Howaboutweagr eet
odisagr
ee?"Hestopped
i
nfr
ontofahugewoodendoor,thathada
met
alknockeri
ntheshapeofali
on.
Takingholdoft heknocker,
heslammedt he
knockeragai nstt
hedooracoupl eoftimes.
BeforeIcouldt ur
nmyheadt oappreciat
ethe
beaut ysurr
oundingme, t
hedooropened.He
str
olledinsi
de, l
eavi
ngmest anding,gapi
ngli
ke
anidiot.
Sensingt
hatIwasn'
tnexttohim,
hetur
ned,
l
ookingatmewithquesti
oningey
es."
Areyou
coming?"
"Areyounotgoingtocarrymeov erthe
thr
eshold?"Iquer
ied.Themant alkedaboutme
makinghim myf i
rstpri
ori
ty,whil
ehecouldn'
t
evencarrymeov erthebloodythreshol
d.
Unbeli
evable!
"You'
reri
ght
,"hesai
d,comingtowar
dsme,
scoopingmeupeffor
tlessl
yinhi
sarms."
The
soonerIcar
ryy
ouourbedr
oom thesoonerwe
canconsummateourmarr
iage.
"
Saywhatnow?
!

Before,
myhear twasthumpingwhenBr enton
camet opickmeupf ormywedding,butnow
myhear twasthumpingforawholedif
ferent
reason.
Iwasgoi
ngt
ohav
esexwi
thChr
is!
.
Hehadswi f
tl
ycarr
iedmeupt hest
air
s, not
pausi
ngt ol
etmeadmi remynewhome, andt
o
ourbedroom.Hegentlyputmedown,telli
ngme
togetoutofmyclothesandmakemy self
comfort
ableonthebed.
Didt
hemanf orgetIwasavirgin?HowcouldI
makemyselfcomf or
tabl
eont hebed?How
coul
dIbeexpectedtobeperfectlyokaywit
h
thef
actt
hatIwasgoi ngtohav esexfort
hefir
st
ti
me?
Ihadaf
eel
i
nghewasnotr
ighti
nthehead.
"
You'
resti
ll
dressed,
"hestated,comingoutof
t
hebathr
oom, i
nnothingbuthisboxers.
AblushcoloredmycheeksasIst ar
edstmy
husband.Themanwasdr oolwor
thy,wi
th
cordedarmsandadef inedchest.Nowonder
womenscr eamedwhi l
et heyhadsexwithhi
m; I
hadaf eel
i
ngt hathenearlycr
ushedthosepoor
femalesunderhim,causingthem toscr
eam l
ike
banshees.
"
Uh.
..
yeah.
..
"If
inal
l
yfoundmyv
oice.
Shakinghi
sheadwi t
hasmal lsmil
e,hestr
ode
overtomeandqui cklyundidthebutt
ons
holdi
ngmydr esstogether.Onceal
lthebutt
ons
wereundone,heslippedtheweddinggownof f
me, l
eavi
ngmewear ingnothi
ngbutmy
underwear,
whileIstoodfrozen.
Turni
ngmearound,
hetookhol
dofmy
shoul
der
s,t
hengentl
ygui
dedmetobed.
Pushi
ngmedown,
heposi
ti
onedmesomy
headwasont
hepi
ll
ow,mybodyunderhi
s.
"
You'
rescar
ed,
"hest
ated,
car
essi
ngmycheeks.
Iwast ooscaredtorespond,thewor dslodged
i
nmyt hr
oat.Neverinami l
li
ony ear
sdi dI
pict
urethismoment —me, marri
ed,hav i
ngsex
forthefi
rstt
imewi thmyhusband, allofthi
s
mademef eelasifIwasinanal ter
nate
univer
se.
"
Don'tworry
,justcl
oseyoureyes,
Iwon'
thurt
you.
"Andhedi ditagai
n,goi
ngbackfr
om bei
ng
atossert
obei ngutt
erl
ysweet.
Tooner
voust oargue,Idi
dashesai d,cl
osi
ng
myeyesItr
iedtof i
ndcomf orti
ndarkness,but
di
dnotsucceed;hisscentinvadedmynostril
s,
maki
ngmer eali
zejusthowcl osehewast ome,
hi
sbodywar mthseepingintome.
Hecaptur
edmyl i
psi
nasl
owsensual
kiss.
Runni
nghishandonmybar
eski
n,hequickl
y
str
ippedmeof fmybr
aandpant
iesl
eav
ingme
completel
ynaked.
Mybodystartedheat
ingupashedeepenedthe
ki
ss,
spearingmylipswit
htongue,i
nvadi
ngmy
mouth.If
eltsomethi
ngmoistinbet
weenmy
l
egs.
Hecont i
nuedr unninghishandsonmybar eskin,
l
eavingat rail
ofelectri
cfir
e.Ithoughthewould
st
opt ouchingmeaf t
erhest r
ippedmeof f,but
hi
shandsdi dn'
tstop,theycontinuedthei
r
j
ourneysout h,unti
ltheyreachedmysexwhi ch
wasdr i
ppingwi t
hliquidheat.
Ij
erkedwhenhesl i
ppedaf ingeri
nsideme,but
hi
swei ghtkeptmeinplace.Leavi
ngmylips
andkissingmyneck,heslowlypumpedhis
fi
ngerinandoutofme, makingmef eel
pl
easurel i
kenoot
her.
Removinghi
sfi
ngerf
rom mycor
e,he
posi
ti
onedhi
mselfov
erme.Mymi ndwashazy
duetowhathedi d,
myey esheavy,Ifel
tdrunk
onlust
.Wi t
houtaword,hesli
dinsi
deme,
makingmear chmybackatt hesuddenf ull
ness,
myinsidesstr
etchi
ngtoaccomodat ehislength
andgir
th.
"Aah,stop,
takei
tout
,"Icr
ied.Hadhealready
brokenmyhy men?Ididnotknow,butIdid
knowt hati
thurt
.
"
Ssh,
li
tt
lefai
ry,
rel
ax,j
ustrel
ax,
"hecooed,
r
unni
nghisfi
ngerst
hroughmyhair,
calmingme.
Breat
hingheav i
l
y,Idi
dmybestt orel
ax;
trust
ing
hi
m nott ohurtme.Closingmyeyes,
Idi
dmy
bestt
or elaxmymuscl es.
"
Goodgi
rl
,nowt
hisi
sgoi
ngt
ohur
t.
"
Wai
t,t
her
ewasmor
e?
Withaswif
tthr
ust
,hepushedi
nsi
deme,
makingmearchmybackonceagainaspai
n
r
ippedthr
oughme,makingmescream.
"Sonofabi tch!"Thepainwashor r
ible,
bur
ning
mef rom theinside.Icursedall
ther omance
novelsIreadt hatsaidthatthefi
rsttimewas
pleasur
eable.
"Ssh,r
elax,t
hepainwil
lgoawayinal
it
tl
ewhi
l
e,
j
ustrelax,l
i
ttl
edove,
"hemurmuredsof
tl
y,
kissi
ngme, hol
dingmecloset
ohim.
Justashesai d,thepainabatedaft
eralit
tle
whil
e.Ibreathedasi ghofrel
ief
.Sensingthi
s,
hebegunmov ing,sl
owly,pumpinginandoutof
meinar hythmi cpace.
Now, mybodywast i
ngl
ingwit
hawei r
d
sensation.I
tstar
tedofl
ikeawarm bal
linthe
putofmyst omach, whi
chkeptongrowingand
growinguntilIwant
edtobebathedinthe
warmt h.
Soonthatballgr
ewandgrewandfi
nal
ly
expl
oded.Iarchedmybackaspl
easur
eripped
thr
oughme, showeri
ngmewithgol
denwarmth,
asmybodyt
rembl
ed.
Wast hiswhatt hef emalesint henovelsmeant
aboutsexbei ngpl easureable?Wast hi
swhat
anorgasm f el
tlike?Wast hi
st henir
vanat hat
woment al
kedaboutr eachingast heykissed
thei
rsignif
icantot herswithpassion?Wast hi
s
thereasonf emal eswereaddi ctedtosex?
Thesoundofagr untbr
oughtmebackt oreal
i
ty.
Ibl
inkedmyey estoseehim st
il
li
ngontopof
meashespi l
ledhimsel
finsi
deme.Af t
era
minute,
hel etoutaheavybreathandgotup
fr
om ont opofme.
"Getsomesleepnow,
youmustbeexhaust
ed,
"
hesaid,l
yi
ngdownnextt
ome.Pulli
ngmeto
him,hewrappedacor
dedar
m aroundme,
securi
ngmet ohi
m.
Iwastool
osti
nthefeel
ingofpostcoit
albli
ss
toar
guewit
hhim.SoIclosedmyey eswitha
smal
lsmil
eonmyf ace,
fall
ingi
nthedeep
dept
hsofsl
eep,
feel
i
ngsat
ed.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t6<3
.
.
.
Aftert
aki
ngaquickshowerandputt
ingona
dress,
Ist
rodeoutofmyroom tofi
ndChri
s;I
neededKeir
an'
snumberinordert
ocheckon
Nico.
Hehadnotbeeni nbedwhenIhadwokenup
aft
ermynap.St r
angelyIfeltmyheartsi
nk
whenIwokeupt of i
ndmy selfal
onei
ntheroom.
Iknewitwastotall
yridi
culousofmet oexpect
someonet obeniceandl ovingtowar
dsme
whenhehadonl ymar ri
edmef orababy
,butI
j
ustcouldn'
tcontr
ol whatIfelt.
Iwasr
eal
l
ydumb.
Checki
ngt
heli
vi
ngroom andthentheli
brar
yI
fr
ownedwhenIdi
dnotseehi m any
where.
Wherewashe?Washealreadygoneforwork?
Aftersearchingacoupl eofmor erooms,I
becamebr eathless; thecastlewashugeand
therewasaconsi derabl edi
ffer encebetween
oner oom andt henext ,whichhadmegaspi ng
forbreathaftersear chi ngsixr ooms.I
wonder edhowmanyr oomst hisgigant
iccast
le
had.Andhowl ongi twoul dtakef ormeto
exploreallofit?Ay ear?May bemor e?I
fitwas
goingtot akemor et hanoney earthenIbel
iev
eI
wouldnotbeabl etoseeal lofi t.
Givi
ngupafterfi
ndingthesixt
hbedroom empt y
ofmyhusband, Igotoutoftheroom planni
ng
tobacktomyr oom, whenIfoundmy self
confusedastowhatdirect
ionmyr oom wasi n.
It
urnedmyheadl
eftandr
ightt
oseei
fIcoul
d
recal
lthedi
recti
onofmybedr oom buti
tlooked
asifmyshor tt
erm memoryhadcomei ntoplay
becauseIdidnotknowwhi chdir
ecti
onIhad
comef rom.Iwaswellandtrul
ylost
,aft
erbeing
hereforonl
yaf ewhours.
Itwasinti
mesliket heset
hatIwi
shedIhad
beenblessedwithsomespat i
ali
ntel
l
igence,
but
no,Godchosetobl essmewi t
honeterri
blet
rai
t
aft
ertheother
.
Relyi
ngonmyi nstinct
s,whichwerenotexact l
y
rel
iable.Ichoset oheadr i
ght ,
pray
ingitwould
l
eadmet oaf ami l
i
arlocation.However,my
unreli
abl einst
inctsoneagai nprovedjusthow
utter
lyusel esstheywer e,becauseasIkept
goingf urther,
Ifoundmy selfi
nanunfami l
iar
grandr oom.
I
twasaci rcul
arroom; withamar blef
loor
,
grandwindows,plushvelvetcurt
ainsand
tapest
ri
esont hewalls,gi
vingtheroom aroy
al
l
ook.Amassi vecryst
al chandeli
erhungfr
om
thecenter,thet eardropcr ystalssparkli
ngi n
thesunli
ghtt hatwasf i
l
ter i
ngt hroughthe
windows.Ther ewasapor t
raitofawoman
hungont hewal l.Thewomanl ookedt obewel l
i
nhert hir
tieswi thbeaut ifulskin,rosycheeks,
seagreeney es;shewasdr essedi napur ple
gownt hatlookedi ncrediblyexpensi v
e.Shesat
proudlyatopahi ghbackedchai r.Shelooked
regal
.Iwonderwhoshewas?Chr i
smot her?
Grandmot her ?Gr eat-
grandmot her?Whoev er
shewas, sheonl yaddedt ot hebeaut yofthe
alr
eadybr eathtaki ngroom, whichwaspr obably
offli
mitsaswel l.
Feelingmyhear tsinkatbeinginyetanother
unfami l
i
arr oom,Iboltedoutofthecir
cular
room andf oundmy sel
fbackinthevastcor r
idor.
Panicstartedtaki
ngov ermeasIfoundmy self
trappedinthispecul i
ar,gr
andmaze.Iknew
beingwi t
hhi m wouldnotbeeasy ,
butrightnow
fi
ndinghim waspr ov i
ngt obemorediffi
cultthat
Icouldpossi
blyi magi
ne;nottomentionIhad
yettocall
KeiranandenquireaboutNi co;God,
it
wasonl ymyfirstdayatbeingmarri
edandI
wasal r
eadycur si
ng!Somuchf orl
i
vingl i
kea
bloodypri
ncess.
"Malady
?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?"asof
t,f
emi
ninev
oice
asked.
It
wistedmynecki
nthedi
recti
onofthev
oice
sofasti
twasawonderi
tdidn'
tbr
eak.
Standingjustaf ewfeetawayf
rom mewasa
womanwhol ookedt obei
nhermidtwenti
es,
wearingthesignat ur
emaiduni
for
m.Herblonde
hairwastiedinaneatbunabov eherhead,
whileherpaleski nwasdott
edwit
hfreckl
es.
Shehaddar kblueeyesandthi
nli
ps.
"
Aahyes,
doyouknowwhereChrisis?
"Iasked
t
hewoman,notwant
ingt
oletherknowIwas
l
ost
.
"
Mr.Pal
meri
sinhi
sst
udy
,"t
hemai
danswer
ed.
"Iwouldl
iket
oseehi
m. "Iwasnotgoingt
o
requestt
hismai
dtotakemet ohi
m, hewasmy
husbandandIhadev
er yri
ghtt
oseehi m.
"
WhenMr .Pal
merisinhisst
udy,hegi
vesstr
ict
i
ntr
ucti
onstonotl
etanyonedist
urbhi
m,"she
r
epli
ed.
"WellI
'
m hiswifeandIwanty outotakemet o
hisst
udy,"Iassert
ed.Ineededtoseehim and
noonewasgoi ngtostopme...
exceptmysense
ofdir
ecti
on.
Beforethemaidcoul
dsayanything,
soft
footst
epswereheardfr
om behindher.A
woman, wholookedtobei
nherf ort
ies
appearedwit
haf r
ownonherf ace.
"What
'sgoi
ngonhere?Mal
ady
,whatareyou
doi
nghere?
"Thewomandemanded,asifme
bei
ngherewaswrong.
"
Iwantt
oseeChr
is,
takemet
ohi
m,"Ior
der
ed
t
heol
derwoman.
"Suzy
,whyhaven'
tyoutakenMrs.Pal
mertoMr.
Palmerst
udy?"Theol
deraskedtheyounger
one,whofur
rowedhereyebrows.
"Youknowther
ules,
nooneisall
owedto
dist
urbhi
m,whenhe'swor
king,
"Suzymutt
ered
totheol
derwoman.
"Yes,butwecannothaveherr oamingonthis
fl
oor,thi
spartofthecastl
eisforbi
dden,Mr.
Palmerhasgiv enmenoi nst
ructi
onstoall
ow
hiswifetocomeher e,
"theolderwoman
whisperedharshly
.
Ser
iously
?!Iwasstandingrightther
e,andthey
wereconversi
ngwitheachot herli
keIwasn't
st
andingjustafewfeetfrom them.IgetthatI
wasshortandskinny,butthatinnowaymade
meinvisi
ble!
Moreimportant
ly,
whywasthi
spartofthe
cast
lefor
bidden?Wasi
tbecauseoftheladyi
n
theroom?Wast hiscast
lehaunted?ButIdid
notfindanyt
hingoutoft
heor di
narywhil
eI
searchedformyhusbandhere,sowhyi nthe
Buckingham Pal
acewast hi
spartofthecastl
e
for
bidden?
"Pl
easefor
giveme,Malady,
Iwillt
akeyout
oMr.
Palmerr
ightaway
,ify
ouwoul djustf
oll
owme,
"
Suzysai
dtomeaf t
eraf ewseconds.
Notwantingtowastemyt i
melinger
ingher
e
morethanIalreadyhad,
Ibeguntofoll
ow
Suzy
'slead,buttheol
derwoman'svoice
st
oppedme.
"Malady ,wit
hallduer espect, pl
easer efr
ain
from comi ngtothisfloorfrom nowon.Thi s
partoft hecastl
eisst ri
ctl
yf orbi
ddent oall
the
staffandf amil
yalike,Mr.Pal merwi l
lnotbe
happyi fheknowsy ouhav ev enturedinthe
forbiddenpartsoft hecastle,"shet ol
dme.
"
Whyi
sthi
spar
toft
hecast
lef
orbi
dden?
"I
quest
ioned.
"
I'
m afr
aidI'
m notintheli
bert
ytotel
lyout hi
s,
Malady,
"sheresponded,hergazenotl
eav i
ng
mine.I
twaslikeshewant edmegone;likeshe
wasangrythatIhaddaredtocomeher e.
However,
herwordsonlypeakedmycuriosi
ty.
Shemightnotbeinthel
iber
tytot
ellmeexactly
whythi
spartofthecast
lewasfor
bidden,butI
knewChri
swouldt el
lme.Hehadtotell
me.
"
Anyot herpart
softhecast
let
hatare
f
orbidden?"Iasked,
aci
ddri
ppi
ngfrom my
words.
"Yes,t
hisfl
oorandt herestofthefl
oorsabove
thi
sonear estr
ict
lyforbi
dden,"sheanswered,
notsensingthebi
tternessinmyt one.Idi
dnot
l
ikethi
swoman.
Noddingmyhead, Itur
nedandl
etSuzyleadme
outofthef
orbiddenzone.Wewentdownf i
ve
fl
i
ghtsofstai
rswhi chhadmemental
ly
smackingmy sel
f.HowonEar thhadImanaged
tocli
mbsomanyst ai
rs?Fivef l
oors!Ihad
searchedroomsi nfivef
loors!Wel lt
heywere
onlysixroomst hathadtri
edt ofindChris
i
n..
.sixunlockedrooms,ther estofthem wer
e
l
ocked.
Thr oughoutal lt
his,
Itookint hebeautyand
opul enceoft hecastl
e.Therewasnotasi ngle
thingt hatlookedcheap.Every t
hinglookedt obe
stateoft hear tandexpensive.Nott oment i
on
thatt hecast l
ewasacont rastbet weennewand
old.Thest r
uctureofthecastlelookedtobe
madei nt he18thcentury
,butt hetechnology
wasdef init
elyfr
om the21stcent ury.

Afterdescendi
ngt womor efli
ghtsofstai
rs,
Suzyt ookasharpright,l
eadi
ngmei na
secludedcorri
dor.Shestoppedwhenshecame
facetof acewi
thagi antdoor.Rai
singhersmal
l
fi
st,Suzyknockedt wiceonthedoor .
"
Yes?'Cameamascul
i
nev
oice,
unmi
stakeabl
y
Chr
is.
"Si
r,y
ourwifewishest
ospeakt
oyou,
"Suzy
answeredback.
"
Okay
,youmayl
eav
e,"her
epl
i
ed.
Noddingatthewoodendoor ,Suzyturnedand
walkedaway ,
leavi
ngmest andingstari
ngatthe
expensi
vewoodendoor .Ihadhalfthemi ndt
o
fol
lowher,butsomethi
ngt ol
dmehewasgoi ng
toopenthedoor .
Whent hedooropened,Isi
ghedinreli
ef,
glad
thatIhadchosetostaydespit
etheconfusion
thathadgatherl
ikeacloudinmymi ndwhen
Suzyleftme.Ienter
edtheroom andthedoor
i
mmedi atel
yclosed.
Hesatinaplushhi
ghbackedchai rbehi
nda
l
argewoodendesk.Papersli
tter
edthesur f
ace
ofthedeskal
ongwithotheraccessori
es,li
kea
gl
asspaperweight
,amini gl
obe,apencilholder
,
andapadofsti
cknotes.Agi
antMacsatonhi
s
ri
ght
,thescr
eenshowinganExcel
sheet
.
Ther estofhisst udywasnotdi ff
erentf r
om t he
restofthecast l
e.Therewer eacoupl eofgr and,
highbackedv isiti
ngchairs,
whi l
ear oyal sofa
waspl acedagai nstonewall wit
htwomat ching
chairsoneithersi deofit
.Therewasasmal l
chandeliert
hathungf r
om theceili
ng, castinga
softglowaroundt heroom.Thev elvetcur tains
preventedsunlightfrom enteri
ng,bathingt he
room inarti
fi
cal li
ght.
"
Iseey
ou'
reawake,
"hest
ated,
looki
ngatme.
"Whywerey ounoti
nbed? "Iasked,
then
i
mmedi atel
yregr
ett
edit.Idi
dnotwanthimt
o
thi
nkthathi
m notbeinginbedmademe
unhappy.
"
Ihadwor
ktodo,
"heanswer
ed.
"
Youcoul
d'
vewokenmeup,
"It
oldhi
m.
"
No,
youl
ookedl
i
key
ouneededt
orest
,"he
r
epl
ied,
lett
inghi
sey
esr
unov
ert
hepaperhe
washol
ding.
"Well
,It
riedsear
chi
ngf
ory ou,Igotl
ost
."I
begunplayingwi
thmynecklace.
"
Wellnowyoufoundme,tel
lme,l
it
tl
epeach,
whatcanIdof
oryou?"Heasked.
Commi tsui
cide,
maybe?Itwoul
dsav
emet
he
tr
oubleofbeingmarr
iedtoyou,
my
subconsci
oussuggested.
"
IneedKei
ran'
snumber
,"It
oldhi
m.
"
Why
?"Her
aisedaney
ebr
ow.
"
Ineedtotalktohi
m,"Ianswer
edvaguel
y,not
want
ingtotell
himtherealr
easonIwant
edt o
t
alktohi
sbrother.
"
About
?"Hewasnotgoi
ngt
olett
hisgo.
"Somethi
ngimport
ant
."Iwasnotgoi
ngtotel
l
him whyIneededt
ospeaktoKeir
aneit
her
.
"
Andt
hati
s?"Man,
heaskedal
otofquest
ions.
"
Uh,
somet
hingi
mpor
tant
,"Ir
epeat
ed.
"Tel
lme,li
tt
leone,
areyoudel
iber
atel
ybei
ng
obtuseorwereyoubor
nliket
his?
"Heenquir
ed.
Mytemperflar
edaft
erhear
inghi
swords.The
ner
veofthatman!Howdarehecall
edme
obt
use?
!
"Justgi
vemeKei
ran'
snumber
,"Idemanded
angri
ly.
"
No,
"hesai
d.
"
No?
"Hehadt
ogi
vemet
henumber
.
"Notunti
lyoutel
lmewhaty
ouwantt
otal
kto
him about
,"hest
ated.
"It
oldy
oui
t'
ssomet
hingi
mpor
tant
,"Igr
it
ted
out.
"
AndIaskedyouexact
lywhati
tis.
"Thi
sman
wasi
mpossible.
"
It
'si
mpor
tant
,"Ir
epeat
edst
ubbor
nly
.
"I
mport
ant,
li
kewant
ingt
oknowabouty
our
brot
her
?"
Ihuffed." Okayfine,yes,Iwantt oknowhow
Nicoi s,andIneedt otellKeirantogiveNicohis
medi cineatexact lynineo' cl
ock,nowcanI
pleasehav ehisnumber ."Thisi swhatIwas
reducedt obeggi ng.Icouldnotbel i
evethatIhad
l
andedmy selfinsuchast atejustbecauseof
money .Nowondergr eedwasoneoft heseven
deadlysi ns.
"
See,
nowthatwasn'
tsohar
d,wasi
t?"Hel
oved
t
aunt
ingme,r
il
ingmeup.
"
What'
shisnumber
?"Iaskedhi
m,r
eadyt
o
memori
seKeir
an'
snumber.
Hedidnotanswer,
insteadpi
ckedupt he
cordl
essphoneandpressedabutton."Come
here,
youcantal
ktoKei r
annow."Hehel doutof
thephoneformetotake.
Ir
eachedhi
mint
hreest
ri
des.Taki
ngt
hephone
fr
om hi
shand,Ipl
oppedononeoft
hevi
siti
ng
chai
rsandl
ist
enedtothemonot
onousr
ingi
ng.
"
Hel
l
o?"Kei
ran'
sspoke.
"
Hel
l
o,Kei
ran,
it'
sme,
Ali
ce,
"Isai
d.
"
Oh,hell
o,l
i
ttl
emushr
oom,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
Heasked.
"
I'
m okay
,li
sten,
isNi
cot
her
ewi
thy
ou?
"
"
Yes,
he'
swat
chi
ngTV,
"Kei
rananswer
ed.
"
Hashehadhi
sdi
nner
?"Ienqui
red.
"
Notyet
,buti
nanotherhourwewi
l
lsi
tdown
f
ordi
nner,
"Kei
ranr
epli
ed.
"Okay,makesurehi smeal i
sfreeofanyf at
s,
j
ustgivehimv egetables,
theyaregoodf orhi
s
healt
h,andpleasegi vehi
m hismedici
nesat
exactl
ynineo'clock,Ihavekeptthem al
l i
nhis
suit
casealongwi t
ht heprescr
ipt
ion,
"Itoldhim.
"Anyt
hingel
se?Doeshesl
eeponhi sri
ghtsi
de
orlef
t?Doeshehaveaspeci
albearthathe
l
ikestosl
eepwit
h?Doeshesleepafterhe
hearsabedt
imestor
y?"Kei
rantaunt
ed.
"No,
"Igr
it
ted,t
ryi
ngtocal
m mysel
f,"
Justdoas
Isai
dandtell
NicoIsai
dhi.
"Wit
hthatIhungup,
notwant
ingtoli
stent
oKeir
an'
sannoyingvoi
ce.
Putti
ngthephoneont hetable,Ibreathed
heavil
y.Iwasshorttempered,Ireall
ywas.Buti t
hadbeensol ongsinceanyonehadt r
ulypissed
meof f.Now,wit
hKei r
antaunti
ngme, Ifound
my sel
fgett
ingangri
erandangr ier
,andIdi dnot
l
ikeit.
"
Ist
hatal
l
?"Heasked.
Inodded." Yes,t
hankyou,I'
lll
eaveyoutoyour
wor k,sorr
yfordist
urbi
ngy ou.
"Istoodupand
turned,int
endingtoheadoutt hedoor
,but
stoppedmy sel
fwhenat houghtenter
edmy
mind.
"
Chr
is?
"
"
Yes?
"Hedi
dnotl
ookupf
rom hi
spaper
s.
"Howdi
dthedooropenwhenyouwer
esi
tt
ing
behi
ndt
hedesk?"Iquer
ied.
"Remotecont
rol.Ipressedabuttonandthe
dooropenedthenpr essedanot
herbutt
onthat
hadthedoorclosing."SeewhatImeantbya
combinat
ionofoldandnew.
"
Oh,that
'sni
ce,andonemorequest
ion.
"Now
t
hatwewer etal
ki
ngaboutt
hehouse,Imightas
wel
laskwhathadbeenbother
ingmeearli
er.
"
Yes?
"Hewassoni
ceatt
imes.
"
Whyaretheupperfl
oorsoft
hecast
le
f
orbi
dden?
"Iquesti
oned.
Thatgotareacti
onfrom him.Hisheadwhipped
up,hi
seyesstari
ngatme.Onesecondhewas
si
tti
ngbehi
ndt hedeskwor ki
ngaway ,andthe
nexthewasstandinginfrontofme, gr
ippi
ng
myar mswithhishands,hisgazehard.
"
Whotol
dy outhat
?"Heaskedme,
anger
mar
ri
nghisface.
"Uh,t
hemaidst
oldme,
"Ianswer
ed,
suddenl
y
afr
aidofhi
m.
"Why?Whywouldtheyt
ell
you?
"Heshookme,
causi
ngmyfeartori
se.
"
I—Iwentupt otheseventhfloorlooki
ngf or
y
ou,IgotlostandSuzyandt hisothermaid
f
oundmeandt oldmet hetopf l
oorswer e
f
orbidden,
"Ianswered,myhear tpounding.
Her eleasedmef rom hisgraspandcl ut
chedhis
head, spinni
ngaroundsohi sbackwast ome,
hegr oanedinfrustr
ation.Whirl
ingaround,he
grabbedmyshoul dersandbr oughtmecl oserto
hi
m, hebenthisfaceunt i
lhisbreat
hmi xedwi t
h
mine.
"Don'
tever,andImeanev erdar
et ogoupthere,
Ali
ce,Imeani t
,ther
ewill
beserious
consequencesifyoustepfootonthesevent
h
fl
oorandabov e,doyouunderstandme?"He
order
ed.
Inodded, t
ooshockedandterr
if
iedtout
tera
syll
able.IhadnoideawhatonEarthwasup
therethathadhi
mr eact
ingl
ikethi
s,but
what everi
twas,i
twasbloodyseri
ous.
Afterseeingmenod, heinstant
lyr
elaxed.Wit
h
aquicknod, heremovedhishol
dfrom my
shoulders.Takingacoupleofdeepbreaths,
he
ranahandt hroughhi
shair.
"
Youarenotevengoingtoment
ionaboutt
hese
f
loor
severagai
n,gotit
?"
Inoddedonceagai
n.
"Good,nowl et
'sgoeat
,youmustbehungr
y,"he
stat
ed.Takingmyhandi nhi
s,hel
edmeoutof
thestudy.
Ihadnocl
uewhatwasupthere.ButIwas
goingt
ofi
ndoutbef
oret
hisyearended.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t7<3
.
.
.

ThatnightIcouldn'tsleep.I
magesoft hat
beauti
ful
,deli
catewomankeptf lashingbef or
e
myey es,makingmymi ndwhirlwi t
hi deasand
curi
osit
y.Whowast hatwoman?Andwhywer e
thefl
oorssev enandabov eprohibited?Iwas
sureaboutonet hing,though,thatwomani nthe
pict
urewasr elat
edt ot hePalmer s.Butwho
wasshe?
Afterafewhour s, mybodyfinal
lysuccumbed
totheboutsofsl eep;however,mymi nddidnot
stopwor ki
ng,comi ngupwithonescenar i
oor
theotherregardingthemy st
erybehindthet op
fl
oors.What everitwasIwasgoi ngtofigureit
out,Iwouldjusthav etobereall
ysneakyabout
i
t.
Mor ni
ngcameandChr isgreetedmegood
mor ni
ngbysi nki
nghi slengthdeepi nsi
deofme.
TosayIwassur prisedwoul dbean
understatement.Ineverex pectedt obewoken
upi nthewayIdi dthismor ning.Iwasgl adthat
Ihadopenedmyey estoseewhoi twast hat
wasshaggi ngmei nmysl eep, beforepunching
thatsomeone, whot urnedoutt obeChr i
s,tomy
utterrel
ief;
otherwiseIwoul d'v
ebeenatt he
receiv
ingendofhi swr athwhi l
ehewoul d'
ve
beenspor ti
ngani ce,bigbruiseonhi sf
ace.
"
Whydidyouhavesexwit
hmef ir
stthi
ngi
nthe
mor
ning?
"IaskedChr
isoverbr
eakfast
.
"I
'mtryi
ngt ogetyoupr egnant,t
hesoonery ou
getpregnantthebet t
er,"heansweredbluntl
y,
cutti
nghissandwichwi thakni
feandeat i
ngit
withafork.Iwasst art
ingtowonderwhet her
thePalmerswer eroyaltyornot,t
heycertai
nly
actedli
keit.Thestaffreferr
edtoChrisas'Sir
'
andmeas'Malady
',whi
chifIwasn'twrong
weret
ermsusedforroy
alty;
nottoment i
onthe
wayChri
swaseati
ngabl oodysandwich,
wit
ha
for
kandakni
fe!
Howev er
, hi
sresponsecutdeep.Notbecausei t
wasthecol d,hardt r
uth,butbecausehis
answermademef eell
ikeIwasnot hi
ngmor e
thanababymaki ngmachi ne.Imean, yeah,
we
gotmar r
iedonlybecauseIwasr equir
edt o
provi
dehi m wit
hanhei rbuttheguydidnot
havetotreatmel ikeamachi ne,Iwashuman, I
hadfeeli
ngs.
"
I'
m sur
eifyouhaverandom sexwithmei t
won'
tgetmepregnantanyfaster
,"Isai
dtohim,
t
ryi
ngtomakeconv er
sati
on,themandi dnot
t
alkmuch.
Hethrewmeal
ook."
Don'
tar
guewi
thme,
"he
st
ated.
Wel
lthen,
somuchf
ormaki
ngconv
ersat
ion.
Maybehavi
ngsexi
nthemor
ningdi
dnotbode
wel
lforhi
smood.
Afterbreakf ast ,
hequi cklyleftf
orwor k,butnot
beforetelli
ngmet hatIcoul dcont actKeir
anin
ordertot alkt omybr otherbyusi ngthelandl
ine,
Ijusthadt opr esst henumber4andIwoul d
automat i
cal l
ybedi r
ectedtoKei r
an.Ismi l
ed
afterhearingt hat ;eventhoughChr i
swascol d
andr ut
hlessmostoft het i
mes, hestill
hada
softspotf orpeopl eorwasi tonlymeIwasn' t
sureandheoccasi onallygav emeagl i
mpseof
thatsoftersi de, bydoingt heselitt
lethi
ngsfor
me.
OnceChr i
swal kedoutoft hecastl
ecl osi
ngthe
doorbehindhim, mygazei mmedi atelydart
ed
tothestai
rs.Nowwast heper f
ecttimeasany
togoexplori
ngi ntheforbiddenterr
itory,Ij
ust
hopedIwoul dn'tgetcaught.Butfi
rstIhadt o
tal
ktomybr other .
Qui
ckl
ypi
cki
ngupanear
bycor
dlessphone,
I
pressedthenumber4andpl acedthephone
againstmyear.Aft
erfourconsi
stentri
ngsIwas
start
ingtothi
nkthatmaybeKeiranwouldn'
t
pi
ckup, butaft
eracoupleofmor eri
ngshe
fi
nallydi
d.
"
Hel
l
o?"
"
Hel
l
o,Kei
ran,
it'
sme,
Ali
ce,
"Isai
dtohi
m.
"
Lit
tl
eMushr
oom,
howar
eyou?
"Kei
ranasked,
"
Howmanyt i
messhouldIt
ell
younott
ocal
l
met
hat
,"Isai
dir
ri
tabl
y.
"Youcantel
lmeathousandti
mesandI '
l
lsti
ll
call
youLit
tl
eMushroom,"her
esponded.Icoul
d
hearthesmir
kinhi
svoice
Forcingmy sel
fnottohur
lpr
ofani
ti
esathim,I
tookadeepbr eath."
Wherei
sNico?"Iasked
Keiraninst
ead.
"
Wat
chi
ngTV,
"heanswer
ed.
"
Youshoul
dn'
tl
ethi
m wat
chsomuchTV,
it'
s
notgoodf
orhi
m,"Iadmoni
shedhi
m.
"
Welli
t'
seitherTVorgoingoutsi
det
opl
ay,
take
y
ourpick,
"herespondeddri
ly
.
"Don'
tyouhav
eanyboardgames?
"These
peopl
eweresobor
ing.
"Whatam I,
sev
enyear
sol
d?NoIdon'
thav
eany
bloodyboar
dgames,
"hemut
ter
ed.
"Wellgobuysome, whatisall
thatmoneygood
for
,throwingatstri
pper
s?!
"Iwasr eal
l
ystar
ti
ng
tohateChr i
sideaaboutNicostay
ingwit
h
Kei
ranf orthenexttwoweeks.
"
Gody
ou'
reannoy
ing,
"Kei
ranwhi
ned.
"GobuysomeboardgamesforNi
co,
hel
ikesto
playRi
skandMonopolyt
hemost,
Ludoi
sfine
too,
"Ior
deredKei
ran.
"Andwhoi shegoingtopl
aywi
th,hi
simagi
nar
y
fri
ends?"NowIreall
ywant
edtobangmyhead
againstthewal
l
.
"No,youwanker
,he'
sgoi
ngt
opl
aywi
thy
ou,
"I
gri
tt
edout.
"
Caref
ul,
li
tt
lemushr
oom,Imightnotbesonice
i
fyouconti
nuei
nsul
ti
ngme,"Kei
ranwarned.
"Wel
lthendon' tgi
vemet hechancet
o
cont
inuouslyinsul
tyou,goandbuysomeboar
d
gamesf orNicoandputhi m ont
hephone,
I
wanttotalktohim,"It
oldhim.
Ihear
dsomesor
tofrustl
ingnoisebef
oreNi
co
cameonthel
i
ne."Hel
lo?
"Ni cosai
d.
"Hi
,Nico,
it'
sme,Al
ice,
"Itol
dhi
m,r
eli
evedt
o
hearmybrother
'sv
oice.
"Hi
,Ali
ce,
howar
eyou,
howi
sChr
is?
"Ni
co
asked.
"I'
mfine,buddy
,Chri
sisfi
ne,t
oo,howareyou?
"
Ithadonlybeentwentyf
ourhour
ssinceIl
ast
sawNi coandyetitf
eltl
i
kemonths.
"
I'
m good,
Kei
ranhasar
eal
l
ybi
ghouse,
"het
old
me.
"That
'sgr
eat
,Nic,
whatareyoudoing?"Ial
ready
knewwhathewasdoi ngbutIst
il
lasked,f
orthe
sakeofconv
ersat
ion.
"I
'
m wat chi
ngTV,Keir
anandImadesnacks
earl
i
er,heisareal
lygoodcook,
"her
esponded
happil
y.
"
Heal
thysnacks,ri
ght?
"Iwoul
dki
l
lKei
rani
fhe
f
edmybrotherjunkfood.
"Yes,veget
abl
esandwi
ches,
theywere
deli
cious,
"het
oldme,myhearti
nst
antl
y
rel
axing.
"
Good,
that
'sgood,
"Isai
d.
"Youknow, Ali
ce,Kei
rantol
dmet
hatChr
isi
s
l
ookingf oragooddoctorwhowi
l
lper
for
m my
surger
y,"Nicoinf
ormedme.
Mymindcoul
dn'tbel
iev
ewhatNicohadsai
d.
Chr
iswasl
ookingforacar
diol
ogi
stforNi
co'
s
surgery
?Ev ent
houghitwasnothisprobl
em,
he
wasst i
lll
ooki
ngforagooddoctorformy
brother
.
Atthemoment ,al
lthenegat i
vet hingsIthought
aboutChr isev aporatedintowi spsof
nothingness, leavi
ngbehi ndonl ytheposi t
ive
trai
ts.Nol ongerdi ditmat t
ert omet hathewas
cold,blunt,distantandar r
ogant .Theonl ythi
ng
thatmat teredwast hateventhoughi twasnone
ofhisconcer n,hewasst ill
sear chingfora
cardiologist,
andt hatmademer especthima
hundr edtimesmor et hanIalreadydi d.
"Ar
eyousur
e,Ni
c?"Iwantedt
omakesur
ethat
Kei
ranwasnotl
yi
ngtoNico.
"
Yes,
Keirantol
dme,
youcanaskhi
myour
sel
f,
"
Ni
coresponded.
"
Cany
ouputhi
m on?
"Ir
equest
edNi
co.
"Sure.
"Therewast
hatrust
li
ngsoundagai
n
beforeKi
erancamebackont hel
i
ne.
"
What
'sup,
li
tt
lemushr
oom?
"Kei
ranspokeup.
"I
sittr
uethatChr
isissearchi
ngfora
cardi
ologi
stf
orNico?"Ienqui
red.
"
Yes,
"her
esponded.
"
Areyousure?You'
renotl
yi
ngt
ome, ar
eyou?
"
God,
Iwouldt hr
owsomethi
ngi
fKei
rantol
dme
t
hathewasj oki
ng.
"Li
ttl
emushr oom, howcr ueldoyout hi
nkwear e?
Justbecausewesor tofgangedupony ou
wheny ouwer erejecti
ngmybr ot
her'
sproposal
doesn'tmeanwewoul dplaysomesor tofasick
j
okeony oubylyingtoy ouabouty ourbrother
's
surgery.I
t'
shighlyinsult
ingthatyouwoul dthi
nk
solowofus, "Keiransaid.
Astabofguil
tshotstr
aightt
omyhear tat
hear
inghi
swor ds.Kei
ranwasri
ght,Ishoul
dnot
j
udgethem soquickl
y.Chri
shadalr
eadygiven
mesomuch, Ishouldsmackmy sel
fforthi
nki
ng
l
i
ket
hisaboutmyhusband.
"
I—I
'
m sorry
,Kei
ran,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
esai
dal
l
t
hat
,"Iapol
ogi
zed.
"Iknowy ou'
reusedtobeingindependentand
notusedt opeoplehelpi
ngyou,butli
ttl
e
mushr oom,nowy oucanr el
axandletChri
s
shouldersomeoft heburden,l
ethim hel
pyou,
"
Keirantol
dmesof t
ly.
Iwishi twast hateasy.Iwishitwast hateasyt
o
accepthel pfrom others.Butthetruthwas,I
couldn'tdoit.Icouldn'
tbeokaywi thot her
s
helpi
ngme, simplybecauseIdi dnotwantt o
getusedt oit.ChrisandIwer eonlygoingt obe
togetherforay earandIcoul dnotgetusedt o
sharingmybur denwi t
hhi m,becausethenit
wouldal lcomet oend, andthengoi ngbackto
mywai tr
essingjobandf acingthewor l
dallby
my selfwouldbedi ffi
cult.
Howev
er,
Idi
dnotl
etKei
ranknowaboutal
lthi
s.
I
twasmyprobl
em,
andIwasgoi
ngt
ohandl
eit
onmyown.
"
I'
ll
try
,"It
oldhi
m.
"Good,trustme, i
twon'tbediff
icul
t,r
ightnow
youaremar r
iedtooneoft heri
chestmanon
theplanet,al
l y
ourwisheswi l
lcomet rue,al
lyou
havetodoi ssayt hewords,"Keir
anstat ed.
AndwhataboutwhenIwoul dn'
tbemar riedto
oneoft herichestmanont heplanet?Whatt hen?
Whatwast hepoi ntofenjoyi
ngthelifeofl uxury
whenweal lknewi twouldsooncomet oanend?
Icouldnotbest upi
denought oturnabl i
ndey e
tomyf inancialstat
usjustbecauseGodhad
blessedmewi thmoneyf ormybr other'
s
surgery.AndonceNi cohadhissurger y,Iwould
uset heotherfift
ythousandpoundsf orhi s
education.Iwoul dnotletNicostr
essov erthe
monet aryproblems.Iwoul dgiv
eNi cot hef ut
ure
hedeser ved.
"Yes,
thankyou,Kei
ran,andI'
m sorr
yabout
doubti
ngyou,"It
oldhim si
ncer
ely.
"Noprobl
em,l
it
tl
emushr
oom,nowIgott
ogo
andbuyboar
dgamesforNi
co,
"hesai
d.
"
Okay,andmakesur
eyougivehim hi
s
medi
cinesont
ime,t
akecar
e,bye."
"
Bye.
"Hehungup.
Iputthephonebackont hecradl
e,sat
isfi
ed
thatmybrotherwasalr
ightandwasenj oyi
ng
himself
,Isetaboutonmyot hert
ask:goingup
totheseventhfl
oor.
.
Iwai t
edforafewhoursaft
erIhadtalkedto
KeiranandNicotogoupstair
s.Themai dswere
bustli
ngaboutever
ywhere,andIknewi foneof
them caughtmesneakingupstai
rsIwouldbein
trouble.
SoIwai
ted.
Andwai
ted.
Thewai twasexcruciat
ing.If
eltthattheti
me
wasmov i
ngextraslow.Everyt
imeIgl ancedat
theclock,t
hemi nut
ehandhadonl ymov ed
from onedigi
ttothenext,neverskippingany
number .
Fourhour slat
er,themai dseventuall
yreti
redto
theirquar t
ersfortheirlunchbreak.Itwasnow
afternoon, t
hehourandmi nut
ehandspoi nti
ng
attwel ve.Suzyhadi nformedmet hatthecooks
willcomeandpr epar
el unchassoonast hei
r
l
unchbr eakendedwhi chwasat1: 00pm, whi
ch
meantIhadonl yonehourt oexpl
orethe
sev enthfloor.
Takingadeepbr eath,Iquickl
yjoggedov erto
thef l
ightsofstai
rs,notstoppinguntilIlanded
ont hef our
thfl
oor.There,Ipaused, t
ryingt o
catchmybr eat
h.Iswear ,i
fithadnotbeenf or
thet i
mebei ngmyenemyIwoul dn'tbest anding
heregaspi ngforbreath.
Myey esfoundtheclock,theminutehandnow
point
ingatone.Thegoodt hi
ngaboutthi
s
castl
ewast hatther
ewer eclocksoneveryfl
oor
,
andnotjustanyclocks,hugeclockswhich
couldbeseenf r
om faraway .
Great
,fi
veminuteshadalreadypassed,which
l
eftmewi t
hfift
yfi
veminut es.Iwouldnotbe
ablet
odoal otofexpl
ori
ngi nf i
ft
yfiveminutes;
makethatfi
ftyminut
es,Ineededf iv
emi nutes
togetbackdownstai
rsaswel l
.
Resumingmyj our
neyupt hestair
saf t
ertwo
minutes,Icl
imbedupt hefif
thfloorandthen
thesixt
hf l
oor,makingsuretokeepl ooki
ngov er
myshoul dertomakesur eIwasnotbei ng
fol
lowed;Iwasnomoodofexpl ai
ningmy sel
fto
anyone,l
eastofalltothatoldermaidwhat ev
er
hernamewas.
JustasIr
eachedthesi
xthf
loor,Ist
oppedonce
agai
ntocatchmybreat
h.Glanci
ngatthegreat
cl
ock,myheartst
art
edpoundingwhenIsaw
t
hemi nut
ehandpoi
nti
ngatt
wo.Shi
t!For
tyf
ive
minut
estogo.
Myant ici
pat i
onmount edasIpr eparedmy sel
f
togotot hesev enthfloor.Thefloorthathel
dso
manysecr etsini tandabov ei
t.Thef loort
hat
waspr ohibitedtoal lstaf
fandf amilymember s
ali
ke.Thef loort hatbathedthiscastlein
my st
ery .
IwasgladthatIhadchosenthi
smomentt o
expl
ore.Noonehadf ol
lowedmeandf ort
he
nextfor
tyfi
veminutesIcoul
dexplor
einpeace;
fi
ndoutwhyt hefl
oorssevenandabovewere
for
bidden.Al
lIhadtodowast ofi
ndsomesor t
ofaclue.
Howev er
,whenIt
urnedt
ogoupt hest
air
s,my
eyeswidenedi
nshockwhil
erageexpl
oded
wi
t hi
nme.
All
myhardwor
kwenttowaste.Al
ltheenergyI
hadgai
neddur
ingbr
eakf
astwaslost.Fur
y
unf
url
edi
nsi
deofmewhenIsawwhatst
ood
bef
oreme.
Itwasagat e.Abig, steelgatestandi
ngatt he
entranceoft hestaircaset hatl
edt ot
hesev enth
floor.Ithadagr i
dst ructure,wi
theachsteel bar
twocent i
metersthick.Ther ewasnopadl ockor
akeyhol ethati
ndicat edwher eonewas
supposet oputthekeyi n.Butther
ewasan
electronickeypadpl acedi nthemiddl
eoft he
l
ef tside.
WhenIsawt hegate,Icur
sedever
yper son
l
ivi
nginthi
scastl
et ohell
andback.Iscreamed
i
nutterf
rust
rati
onatwhatwasnowqui te
obvi
ous.
Theent
rancet
othesev
ent
hfl
oorwasl
ocked.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t8<3
.
.
.

Islammedt hedoorofmybedr oom shutandlet

outofascr eam off rust
rati
on.Howont his
bloodyEarthdidt heymanaget oinstal
lagatein
l
esst hantwent yfourhours? !I
twasl i
kethey
suspectedthatIwoul dtr
yt osneakupstair
s.I
wantedt ohitsomet hingsobad.ButIst il
l
wonder edhowdi dtheymanagedt oinst
allsuch
ahugegat einl essthantwent yfourhourswhen
Ididnothearanysoundst hatsuggestedagat e
wasbei nginstall
ed?

Here'
sahintfory
ou,
theyhav
emoney
,my
subconsci
oustol
dme.
Andshewasr ight.Chri
shadmoney ,lot
sofit
;
andf oronceIwi shedhehadusedt hatmoney
oncheapt ar
ts, whohadnot hi
ngbet tert
odo
thanshaket heirar sesi
nfrontofmenal lday
andal lni
ght,thanspendhi smoneyoni nst
all
ing
afreakinggate!I twasutterl
ycr azyhowmen
alway ssaywomengoar oundspendi ngmoney
onusel essthingswhent heyt hemselvesspent
outrageousamountofmoneyont hi
ngsthat
weren'tevenneccessar y,l
i
keagat e.

Theproblem Inowfacedwas,howi
nthe
Bucki
ngham PalacewasIsupposet
ofindout
aboutthewomannow?Wher ewoul
dIfind
i
nformati
onaboutthet opf
loor
s?Whowas
goi
ngtot el
lme?

Noone.You'
reonyourown.Younowhav
eless
t
hanay eart
ofi
gur
eoutthemy st
ery
,my
subconsci
ousst
ated.

Buthow?Ineededacl ue, anycluet hatwoul d

guidemet ounravelthismy ster
y .Thiscast le
wasal it
tlehelp.I
nt hef astpacedt ourt hatI
tookbymy sel
foft hi
spl ace,Ionlysawaf ew
pictur
esofChr isandhi sfami l
yandnotasi ngle
pictur
eoft hatwoman, exceptfort heonei nthe
circul
arroom.Whi chl ef tmewi thnot hingt ogo
on.
Cur
sey
ou,
Chr
is.

Mythoughtswerei
nter
ruptedbythesoundofa
sof
tknock.Thedooropenedtoreveal
theone
per
sonIreall
ydi
dnotwantt osee,t
heolder
maid.
"
Malady,thecooki
sreadyt
oprepar
elunch,
whatwouldyouli
ketoeatf
orl
unch?"Theol
der
maidasked.
Herwordstookmebysur pri
se.Whywasshe
aski
ngwhatIwantedforlunch?Iwoul
deat
whatev
ertheymade,shouldn'
tshebeaski
ng
Chri
swhathewantedtoeat ?Itwashi
shouse
aft
eral
l.
"
Uh,I'
m notgoi
ngtohavelunch,
justaskChri
s
whathewantstoeatf
orlunchandmaket hat
,"I
t
oldher.
"You'
renotgoingt
ohavel
unch?"she
quest
ioned,herey
ebr
owsrai
sed.
Didshenothearmethefi
rstti
me?MaybeI
shouldt
ellChr
istof
ir
eher,shewasget
ti
ngt
oo
oldtoworkherenow.

"No,I
'm nothungry,
"Ianswered,
wi shi
ngshe
wouldjustleavenow.Anditwast hetruth,
I
real
l
ywasn' thungry
..
.atl
eastnotforfood.What
Iwashungr yforandwasdesperatelycravi
ng
wasinf
ormat
ionr
egar
dingt
hef
orbi
dden
t
err
it
ory.

Sighi
nginrel
i
efafterthedoorshutsoft
ly
l
eav i
ngmealoneonceagai ninmyr oom,I
beguntocontemplatethenumerous
possibi
l
iti
esr
egardingthetopfl
oor.
Itwascl earthati nordert oknowwhyt hefloors
sevenandabov ewer epr ohibitedIfi
rsthadt o
findoutaboutt hewomani nthepor trai
t.Who
wasshe?WassheChr isgi rl
fr
iend?Hi swife,
perhaps?No, shecoul dn'tbehi swif
e, t
heybot h
hadt hesameshadeofseagr eenintheireyes.
May beshewashi smot her ,shecer t
ainlyl
ooked
thepart,beingal lgraceful andr oyal
,sheputt he
queent oshame.Butwhywoul dhenothav e
mor epictureofhi smot herar oundt hecast l
e?If
Ihadamot herl ikethat,Iwoul dhangher
portr
aitsallov ermyhouse.
Theknocksoundedonceagai nanditt
ook
ever
ythi
nginmenott ogrowl.Thedooropened
onceagaint
orevealtheoldermaid,
Ireal
ly
shoul
daskhername, coul
dn'tkeepcal
li
ngher
theol
dermaidforev
er.

"Mal
ady,Mr.Palmeri
sonthephonef
oryou,
"
shesai
d,holdi
ngoutthephonef
ormetotake.
"
Hell
o?"IspoketoChr
isaf
tert
aki
ngt
hephone
f
rom herhand.
"
Whyar
en'
tyoueat
ing?
"Heenqui
redbl
unt
ly.

"Uh,whotol
dyouthat
?"Iaskedhi
m,even
thoughIhadapr
ettygoodideawhowoul
dtel
l
him.

"
That
'snott
heanswert
omyquest
ion,
"hesai
d
wi
thannoy
ance.
"
Andthat'
snottheanswert
omi
ne,
eit
her
,"I
r
etor
tedbrazenl
y.

"Li
stentome,andl
istent
omegood,youare
goingtohav
elunchandyouar
egoingtoeata
propermeal
,under
stand?
"Hestat
ed,
causing
mer ol
lmyeyes.

"
I'
m nothungr
y,soyeah,
I'
m nothavi
nglunch,
whenareyoucominghome?"Iresponded.

"Al
ice,"Hebegun,maki ngmegul p.Heusedmy
namewhenhewasangr y,
asfarasIhadknown
him, whichhadonlybeenaf ewday s."I
'm goi
ng
tocallagainaft
erthi
rtyminutesandi fIgetto
knowt hatyouhaven'thadlunch,tr
ustmey ou
wil
l notli
ketheconsequences,"hethreatened.
"
Chri
s,I
'
m notachil
d,ifIsai
dI'm nothungr
y
t
hatmeansI'
m nothungry,
"Itol
dhi m.
"Well,
li
tt
lepeach,you'r
ecert
ainlyact
ingli
kea
chil
dsoI '
m goingtospeaktoy ouli
keone,go
andhav elunch,Iwi
llnott
ell
youagai n,
"he
repl
ied.

"
No.
"Ihungup.
Throwingthatnastywomanagl are,
Ihanded
thephonebackt oher,f
umi nginanger.Ihada
feel
ingthatthi
swomandi dnotlikemev ery
much.Imean, whywouldshegobehi ndmy
backandcal lChri
sli
keanannycompl ai
ningto
theparentsaboutapetulantchi
ld.
"Whydidy
oucal
lChr
is?
"Iaskedher
,st
il
lgl
ari
ng
ather
.
"I
t'
smyj ob,Mal
ady
,ifyougoagainstMr .
Palmer,i
t'smyj
obtoinfor
m hi
m,"sher epl
ied
evenl
y,pissi
ngmeoffmorethanIalreadywas.
"
What
'sy
ourname?
"Iquer
ied.
"
Hel
ga,
"sher
esponded.

"Wel
l,
Hel ga,
"Ispi
ttedouthername,"
Ididnot
goagainstyourboss,Isi
mplyref
usedtohave
l
unch.
"Igr i
tt
ed.
"Notdoi
ngwhathewant
sisgoi
ngagainsthi
m,"
sheargued,
maki
ngmewanttoslapher.

"I
'
m hi
swifenothisenemy
,somer efusingto
havel
unchisnotgoi
ngagainsthi
m, "Isnapped.
"Youarehiswif
e,i
tisyourdutytodowhatev
er
yourhusbandswantsyoutodo."God,di
dshe
notknowwhent oshutthebloodyhel
lup?

"
No,
Iam hi
swi
fe,
whi
chmeansI
'
m hi
sequal
,
soI '
l
ldowhat
ev ert
hebloodyhell
Iplease,and
youhav enor
ighttogobehindmybackand
i
nf or
m myhusbandaboutev er
yli
ttl
ethingIdo,
"
Irepli
ed.

"I
'm alwaysgoingtoinfor
m Mr.Pal
merabout
everylit
tl
et hi
ngyoudobecausehepay sme,
youdon' t
,"shestat
ed,herwri
nkl
edfacemade
mewi shIcoul dstr
etchthel
ooseskinl
ikean
elast
ic,eventual
l
yteari
ngit.

"
Getout
,"Iseet
hed,
glar
ingf
ir
edagger
sather
.

Helgatur
nedtoleav
emyr oom butst
oppedas
shesteppedoutoft
het hr
eshol
dofmyroom;
tur
ningsli
ght
ly,
shelookedatme.
"
I'
llbr
inglunchf
oryou,Mal
ady,
"shesai
dand
l
eftmyr oom,cl
osi
ngthedoorbehi
ndher.
Quicklymar chingov ertothedoor,Il
ockedi t
shut.Itwasof fici
al,
Hel gahatedme, andIhad
nocluewhy .Ineverdidany t
hingtothewoman,
andshet alkedt omel ikeasifshewast he
owneroft hiscast l
eandnotChr i
s.Thewoman
actuall
yhadt hener vetoaccusemeofgoi ng
againsthim, myownhusband.Wasshecr azy?
!
Ihadt otal
kt oChr i
sabouther .Thebi t
chdi dn'
t
knowherl imitsnorherpl aceinthiscastle.

Letti
ngoutascream off
rust
rati
on,Ithr
ew
my sel
fonthebedandquickl
ypulledtheduvet
overme.Turningtomyside,
Iclosedmyey es
andwi l
l
edsleeptocomeandt akemef araway
fr
om bossyhusbandsandnastymai ds.
.
"Comeon, l
it
tl
edove,wakeup,"Chri
sv oice
penetr
atedthethi
ckfogofpeacefuldarkness
surr
oundingmymi nd.
Reluct
ant l
y,Iopenedmyeyesandcamefacet
o
facewithmyhusband, whowassit
tingont
he
edgeoft hebed, l
ooki
ngdownatme.
"
Whattimeisit
?"Iasked,
mor
eli
kecr
oaked,
my
v
oicesoundi
ngdeep.

"I
t'
s3:00pm,y
ousleptf
orasoli
dtwohours,
nowgetupandeatyourl
unch,
it'
sgoi
ngtoget
cold,
"heor
der
ed.
"Whatti
medi
dy oucomehome?"Iasked,
pushi
ngmysel
fuptoasit
ti
ngposit
ion.
"Justnow,Ihadtocancel
mymeet i
ng,"hetold
me, l
if
ti
ngthetrayoff
oodfrom t
hesidetable
andplaci
ngitgentl
yonmyt hi
ghs.
"
Why
?"Iasked,
maki
ngnoat
temptateat
ing.
"
Becausemystubbornwif
er ef
usedt
ohave
l
unch,
"heanswered,
li
ft
ingthespoonfi
l
ledwi
th
r
iceuptomymout h.
"Don'
ttel
lmeyoucancell
edy ourmeet
ing
becauseofme?!
"Iasked,aghast,
feel
i
nggui
l
ty.

"Whyelsewoul
dIshowupher esosoon,
wakingyouupsoyoucanhav eyourlunch?"No,
no,no,hewoul
dn'
tdothat.Chri
swoul dn'
t
cancelhi
smeeti
ngjustbecauseIref
usedt o
havelunch.

"
You'
rebl
uff
ing,
"Isai
d.
Hegav emeal ookthatclear
lytol
dmehewas
notbluff
ing;
whichonlyresul
tedinguil
tpil
ingi
n
theshapeofbigrocksinmyst omach, ki
l
li
ng
thel
ittl
eappeti
tethathadappearedjustnow.
"
Openyourmouth,
"Chr
isor
dered,
sti
l
lhol
ding
t
hespooninf
rontofmymouth.
"
Ch—chr
is,
I—I
'
m sosor
ry,
whydi
dyoucancel
y
ourmeet
ing?Youshouldn'
thavedonet
hat
,
y
ourwor
kissoimportant,
"Isai
dtohim.

"
Yes,
butmywife'
shealt
hismor
eimpor
tant
t
hanmywork,
"herepl
ied.

Hiswordsmademyhear tfl
utter
.Wasi tt
rue?
Didhecareaboutme?Imean, I'
m surehedid,
whyelsewouldhecancelhi
smeet ingand
comehomej ustsohecouldmakesur eIwould
eatsomethi
ng.Hereal
lycared.

"
Reall
y?"Iasked,
want
ingt
obesur
ethathe
r
eal
lycaredaboutme.

"Yes,i
fyouar
enotgoingtobehealt
hythent
he
babywouldnotbehealt
hyei
ther
,andIwanta
healt
hybaby.
"Andheknewexactlyhowto
bur
stmybubbl
e.

Myhear tcr
acked, whil
emysubconsci ous
l
aughedatme.St upid,st
upidAlice.Howmany
ti
meshav eyout oldyourselfnottogetaheadof
yoursel
fandbel i
evest uf
fthatwouldnev er
happen.Butno, youalway shavetoseet hi
ngs
thatarenotthere,beli
evethingsthatwould
nevercomet rue.
"
Oh.
"Ist
aredatt hef
oodpl
acedonmyt hi
ghs,
t
ooembarrassedtol
ookatmyhusband.

"Yes,nowopeny ourmout
handeat,Idon'
thave
allday.
"Iopenedmymouth,l
ett
ingHeslidethe
spooni nmymout h.

Hef
edmeunt i
lnotagrai
nofri
cewaspr
esent
ont
hepl
ate.OnceIhadeatent
ohi
s
satisfacti
on,het ookthet rayfrom whereitwas
restingonmyl apandpl acedi tbackont heside
nightstand.Standingup, het ookoffhissuit
j
acketanddr oppedi tont hebed.Unbut t
oning
hisshi r
t,hestrodeov ertot hebathroom and
closedt hedoor .
Icursedmy selfforlett
ingmydr eamsand
fantasiesgett hebestofme.Iwasn' tstupid
enought othi
nkt hattherewasgoi ngt obe
someoneoutt herewhowoul dlovemeandcar e
aboutme, butt hatdidnotmeanIdi dnotwant
someonet olov emeandcar eaboutme.Iknow
Iwasonmyownagai nstthi
swor l
d,butitwould
beni ceiftherewassomeonewhowoul d,just
once, fi
ghtthiswor ldforme, oratleasthelpme
fi
ghtt hisworld.Ishoulddefinit
elykill
allmy
dreamsandf ant asi
es,theywoul dnev ercome
trueiftherecentev entswereany thingtogoby .
.
Thebedr
oom dooropenedandi
nwal
kedHel
ga,
makingmewi shIhadcl awsf ornail
ssoIcoul d
shredthatloosewr i
nkl
edski n.Narrowingmy
eyesather ,Itrackedherev er
ymov e,
wat chi
ng
withextremeconcent r
ationasshepaddedov er
tothenightstandandpi ckedupt hetr
aywi th
herwrinkled,bonyhands.

"
Youshoul
ddowhatMr .Pal
merwant
s,hehad
t
oleav
eworkear
lybecauseofy
ou,
"shetol
dme.
Herwordsmademeseer ed.Thebitchwas
speaki
ngwhenitwasnotherpl acetospeak.I
wassot al
ki
ngtoChri
saboutf i
ringher,
the
bi
tchneededtol
eave,andfast.

Givi
ngmeherback,Helgashuffl
edoutofthe
room.Ithr
ewtheduvetoffmeandgotoutof
bed.Marchi
ngovert
ot hevani
tytable,
I
gather
edmyhairinmyhandsandt iediti
na
ponytai
l.
Chri
semergedfr
om thebat
hroom j
ustasIwas
dr
inki
ngaglassofwater
.Hi
shairwaswet,
dr
oplet
sofwaterfal
l
ingonhisshi
rt
.
"Chri
s?"Icall
edoutt
ohim, ashewal
kedov
erto
hissi
deoft hebedandgrabbedhi
swatchf
rom
thenight
stand.
"
Yes?
"
"
Iwant
,no,
Ineedy
out
ofi
reHel
ga,
"It
oldhi
m.

Hegavemeal ookt
hatclear
lysai
dhethoughtI
wascrazyf
orevensuggesst
ingsomet
hingli
ke
t
hat.
"
Andwhywoul
dIdot
hat
?"Hequest
ioned.
"Becauseshehat
esmeandhasaser
ious
problem wi
thme,
"Ianswer
ed.
"
Real
ly?"Hewalkedovert
ome."Doesshehave
apr
oblem wit
hy ouordoyouhav
eaproblem
wi
thher?"Heenquir
ed.

"WhywouldIhaveaprobl
em wi
thher
?Idon'
t
evenknowher!Shehasaprobl
em wi
thme,
"I
stat
ed.

"Li
ttl
efair
y,Idon'
tknowwhatyourissueswi
th
Helgaare,butI'
m notgoi
ngtofi
reherover
somei nsi
gnifi
cantwomanlyf
eud,"hetol
dme.

Myey eswi denedathi

schoi
ceofwor
ds.
Insi
gnif
icantwomanlyfeud,
that
'
swhathewas
call
i
ngit!
"Therei
snofued,
I'
mtell
ingyousheclearl
y
hatesme,sowhycan'
tyoujustfi
reher
?!"I
nearl
yshout
ed,mytemper,onceagai
ngetti
ng
t
hebestofme.

"Helgahasbeenloyaltothi
sfamilyandhad
beenwor ki
nghereforareall
ylongtime,Iam
notgoingtofi
reherjustbecauseyouaskmet o
afterl
essthanaweekofcomi nghere,
"he
responded.

"You'
resi
dingwi
thher?!Whyareyoudefendi
ng
her?I
'myourwif
e!"Ishout
edthi
stime.

"
Cor
rection.
"Hest eppedcl
osert
ome,i
nvadi
ng
mypersonalspace,makingmefeel
smal
l.
"
Temporarywife.
"

I
twasli
keheslappedme.Thosetwowor ds
mademer eal
i
zeexact
lywhathethoughtofme.
Howli
tt
leImeanttohi
m.Howi nsi
gnif
icantI
reall
ywas.Thosewor dsweren'tj
usttr ue,
they
toldmeexact l
ywhatIwas—not hing.Iwas
nothing.Ihadnowor th,not
hing.Hell,Ibetthe
staffhadmor erespectandwor ththanIdi d.

"You'
rer
ight
,al
lthi
sist
emporary
,"Isai
d,t
rying
tokeepmyv oi
ceeven,
notl
ett
ingmyemot ions
betr
ayme.
"Exactl
y,soj
ustdeal
wi t
hit
,bearwi
thHel
ga,
it'
s
onlyforayear
,"Hesaid.
Hewasr i
ght.Itwasonl yforay ear
.ThenIwas
goi
ngt oleave, notHelga.Chri
swoul dtel
lmet o
l
eave,notHel ga.Chriswoul dcuthisti
eswit
h
me,notHel ga.Andhi swor dsalsotoldme
somethingelse.Hewoul dalway schooseHelga,
notme.Hewasgoi ngt ochooseawr i
nkl
ed,old
maidov erme.

BecauseIwast
empor
ary
.
Inoddedsil
ent
lyafterhearinghiswords.When
hesawmenod, hi
sshoul dersrel
axedandhe,i
n
tur
n,gavemeaf ir
m nodbef or
esaunteri
ngout
oftheroom.

Oncet hedoorshutfi
rml ybehi
ndme, Il
etouta
str
angledsob.IthoughtifItol
dhim about
Helgahewoul dputheri nherpl
ace,buti
nstead
hehadputmei nmypl ace;onceagain
remindingmeIwasnot hingmorethanababy
makingmachi nethathewaspay ingonemilli
on
poundst o.

Iwaspatheti
c.Menactuall
ywantedsomethi
ng
fr
om mei nordert
omar r
yme, noonewanted
meoutoft hei
rownaccord,noonewantedme
j
ustbecausemay beIhadnicehai
ror
somethi
ng.Iwaspatheti
c.
Takingadeepbreath,
Icl
osedmyey es.
I
nstantl
yNico'
sfacecamet otheforefr
ontof
mybr ai
n,makingmereal
izeexactlywhyIwas
doi
ngt hi
s,andwhyIwouldcontinuetosuff
er
thr
oughthissham ofamarri
age.

Steeli
ngmyr esolv
e,Isquar edmyshoul der
s
andhel dmyheadhi gh.Ididn'tneedHelgaor
Chris.Ihadmoreimpor tantthingstodealwit
h,
l
ikef i
ndingacardi
ologistformybr other
,my
onlyfami l
y.

Wipingmyf acewit
hmyhandsinordertowi
pe
anyremnant soft
ears,
Itur
nedandstr
ode
purposef
ull
youtoftheroom,sl
ammingthe
doorbehindme
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t9<3

.
.
.
.

I
'm sorr
y,"Iapol
ogizedtoChris,
whosatatthe
headofthedi ni
ngtable,
putt
ingmushroom
ravi
oli
inhisplate.
Hiseyebrowsrose."
Sor
ryaboutwhat
?"He
asked,putt
ingt
hespoonbackinther
avi
oli
dish.
"Fort
ell
ingy outofi
reHelgaandal
l,Iwasway
outofli
ne, soI'
m sor
ry,
"Irepl
i
ed,f
iddl
ingwi
th
myneckl ace.
Hechuckl
ed."
That
'sal
ri
ght
,Ij
ustf
oundt
hat
you'v
egotquit
eatemper
,Idi
dn'
tknowthat
beforeImar
ri
edyou,soi
t'
sal
ri
ght
,"het
oldme.
Isighedinreli
efbeforetaki
ngaseatnextto
him atthedini
ngtable."I
fyouwould'veknown
thatIhadat emperbef or
eyoumarriedme,
wouldy oustil
lhavechosenmeasy ourwife?
"I
asked.
"
Yes,
"hesai
dwi
thouthesi
tat
ion.
"Why?"Ienqui
red,
Ireall
ywant
edt
oknowwhy
hechosemeashi sbride.
Hedi dn'
tanswermyquest i
on,i
nsteadr aised
theforkfil
ledwit
hr av i
oli
tohismout handt ook
abite,chewingthef oodslowlybefore
swallowing;whil
eIst aredathim,t
r ansfixed,
watchingashi sthr
oatmov edwhenpushi ngt he
fooddown, i
twasst rangelyer
oti
c,eithert hator
Iwasbei nghormonal .
"Well
?"Ir
eal
l
ywant
edananswert
omy
questi
on.
"
Wellwhat?
"Heasked,asifhehadnoi
dea
whatIwastal
ki
ngabout.
"
Don'
tactcl
ueless,
whydi
dyouchooseto
mar
ryme?"Irepeat
edmyear
li
erquest
ion.
"BecauseIcan,
"herepli
ed,
looki
ngdownathis
plat
e,play
ingwithhi
sfoodalit
tl
ebefor
etaki
ng
anotherbi
teofravi
oli
.
"
That'
snotananswer!
"Islammedmyhandson
t
hetabl
e,causi
ngthepl
atesandgl
assest
o
makeaclangi
ngsound.
"That'
sal
lyou'
regoingtoget,
"heresponded,
notlooki
ngtheleastbi
tfazedbymyout bur
st.
"
Look,I'
my ourtemporarywife,
butsti
l
lI'
my our
wif
e,Ishoul
dknowwhyy ouchosemewhen
youcould'
vechosenf r
om hundredsofbeauti
ful
,
r
ichwomen, "Iargued.
"
Andbecausey ou'
remytemporar
ywif
eiswhy
I
'
m notgoingtotel
lyouwhyIchosey
ouover
t
heother
s,"hestat
ed.
Iglaredathim,andinr esponsehewi nkedat
me, hefuckingwinked!Gr owli
nginfrust
rat
ion,
I
crossedmyar msi nfrontofmychestandsat
backi nthechai
r,cursi
ngmy sel
ffornotbei
nga
mindr eader
.
"
Eaty
ourdi
nner
,li
tt
lepeach,
"hesai
d.
"
No,
"Igr
umbl
ed.
Hesighed."Arewebackt othatagain?You
wantmet ofeedy ou?Bytheway ,whenIsaid
thati
fyoudidnoteatlunchbyt hetimeIcame
homey ouwoul dhavetofaceserious
consequences,Imeantthatyou'dhavetoface
seri
ousconsequences,"hetol
dme.
"
Oh?Andwhatar
et heseri
ousconsequences
t
hatI
'
m goi
ngtoface?"Iaskedi
namocki ng
t
one.
"Youwon'
tseeyourbr
otherf
orawhol
emonth,
"
heanswer
ed,st
aringmedeadint
heeyes.
Iswal
l
owedhar
dasmyey
esbuggedoutofmy
socket
s.Hewasnotser
ious.Hecannotbe
seri
ous.Hewoul
dnotkeepmef r
om seeingmy
brot
her.
"
Youwoul
dn'
t.
"Iwoul
dn'
tl
ethi
m dot
hatt
ome.
"
Ijustdid,
Nicoisgoingt
ocomehereaft
era
monthnow, andifyouar
guewi
thmeI'm goi
ng
t
oext endhisst
ayatKeir
an'
spl
ace,
yourchoice,
l
it
tledove,
"hestated.
"Chri
sdon'
tdothi
s,anyt
hingbutt
his,
"Ipl
eaded.
ItwasbadenoughthatNicowasunderKei
ran'
s
watchfort
woweeksandnowhewasgoi nggo
staywit
hKeir
anforamont h

"Imightreducei
ttothr
eeweeksifyoueaty
our
dinnerl
ikeagoodlit
tl
egir
l,
"hesai
d.
"AndifIr
efuse?"Iwasj
ustaskingbecauseI
wantedtoknowwhathepl annedtodoifIdi
d
noteatmydi nner
.
"ThenNicoisgoingtostaywit
hKeiranf
ortwo
monthsandy ouwouldnotbeal l
owedtohave
anysortofcontactwit
hhim,"heanswer
ed,but
didnotstopeat
inghisravi
oli
.
Shockstolemyabi l
i
tytospeakf orafew
seconds.Ijustgapedatmyhusband, whilehe
conti
nuedeat i
ng.Hedi dnotev enbatan
eyel
ashaf t
erdeliveri
nghisevilconsequences.
Howeasi l
yhet oldmet hatifIdidnoteatdinner
hewouldnotl etmehav eanycontactwithmy
brot
her,andKeiransai dtheywerenotcruel.
Yeahr
ight
!
Notcr
uel
myass!
"
That
'snotf
air
!"Icr
ied,
thr
owi
ngmyhandsi
n
t
heai
r.
"
All
'
sfai
rinmar
ri
ageandwar
,"her
epl
i
ed.
"I
t'
sloveandwar
,"Icor
rect
ed,
buti
tmadeno
di
ffer
ence.
"
Samedi
ff
erence.
"Hewasr
eal
l
yst
art
ingt
opi
ss
meof
f.
"
You'
renotni
ce,It
houghty
ouwer
eni
cebut
y
ou'
renot,
"Isai
dtohim.
Hel aughed."
Lit
tleone,Icanbeav er
ynice
person,butwheny ouactlikeast
ubbornlit
tl
e
bratthenI'
m goingtobev erymean,andli
tt
le
fai
ry,youhavenoi deahowmeanIcanr eal
ly
be."Nowhewasscar ingme.
Takingmyplate,
hequickl
yfil
l
editupwit
h
rav
ioli
.Pushi
ngtheplat
etowardsme,heputthe
for
ki nt
heplat
e,bef
oregesturi
ngformetoeat
i
t.
"I
'
m nothungry
,Ij
usthadl
unchaf
ewhour
s
ago,
"Iwhined.
"Doyoulov
ey ourbrother
,li
tt
lepeach?Itl
ooks
l
ikeyoudon't
,becausewiththewayy ou'r
e
acti
ng,Imi
ghtbef orcedtoextendNico'
sstay
atKeir
an'
splaceforawhol eyear.
"
Whywashedoi ngthis?WhatdidIdot o
deservethi
s?Ionlywant edmoneyformy
brot
her'ssur
gery,butlooksl
ikehi
sthreatsand
punishmentswereincludedasafuckingbonus!
"
Chr
is,
"Iwhi
ned.
"Fi
nishi
tup,thenwe'l
lgof
orfiv
eroundsofsex,
hurr
yup,li
tt
lefai
ry,
wedon'thaveal
lni
ght,
"he
stat
ed.
Myeyeswidened."
Fiv
erounds?
"Whatwashe,
amachine?
"Youwantmor
e?"Heaskedwi
thf
urr
owed
eyebr
ows.
"No,
fiveistoomuch,
Ican'
thandl
ethat
,"I
complained.
"Well
that'
swhyI'mtell
i
ngyoutoeatdinner
,you
aregoingtoneedyourener
gy,
"heresponded.
"
Arey
oucraz
y?!I
'
m notgoingt
ohavesexwi
th
y
oufi
vebl
oodyti
mes!I
'm ahumannota
machinewhichy
ousoout
rageousl
ybel
i
eve,
"I
shotback.
"
Youaregoingt
ohav
esexf
ivet
imes,
Ipai
dfor
i
t,
"hest
ated.
I
tfeltl
ikemywor l
dst
oppedafterhear
inghi
m
utt
erthosewords.Di
dhejustcall
meawhor e?
Wast hiswhatIwasr
educedto?From bei
nghi
s
temporarywif
eIwasnowhi swhore.
"Di
dy ouj
ustcall
meawhore?"Iwantedto
confi
rmthatIwasnotmi
sunderst
anding
anyt
hinghere.
Herosefrom hi
schai
randaftertaki
ngacoupl e
ofst
epshecameandst oppedr i
ghtinfrontof
me.Putt
inghishandsonthearmr ests,
hebent
l
owuntilhisf
acewaslevel
ledwithmine.
"
Yes,youar
eawhor e,
"hetol
dme, bef
ore
l
eani
nghisfacef or
wardandpressi
nghisl
ips
f
ir
stt
omycheekandt hentomyl i
ps."
My
whor
e,"hef
inished.
BeforeIcouldpr
ocessmyactions,
myhand
roseandstruckhim ont
hecheek.Pushinghi
m
away,Istoodupfrom mychai
randt ookafew
stepsbacktocreatesomespacebetweenus.
"I
'm notawhor e!Ionl ymar ri
edy oubecauseI
want edmoneyf ormybr other'ssurger y.Ify ou
thinkthatI'm awhor ebecauseoft his,theny ou
arethemostdespi cablemanont hef aceoft his
bloodyplanet !I
fIwasawhor e,Iwoul d'vehad
enoughmoneyf orNico'ssurger ybysel li
ngmy
bodyt orandom men, butno, Ichoset okeepmy
vir
tueandmysel fr
espect, onlybecauseI
want edtoshowt hewor l
dt hatnomat t
er
happenedIwoul dnotsuccumbt opr ostitution
andIwant edmyhusbandt oknowt hathi swi f
e
wasandi sar espect abl
ewoman.Iwoul dr ather
washpeopl e'sfeetandf eedt heirpigsbutI
woul dneversel lmybody ,sodon' tyoudar ecal l
meawhor e!"Ishoutedathi m, t
earsbl urringmy
v
isi
on.
Ithoughthewouldapologizeforcal
l
ingmea
whor e,buthedi
dn'
t.Hejuststrodet
owardsme
andki ssedmesohardIf ear
edmyl i
pswould
bruise.
"Youwannaknowsomet hing,li
ttl
efair
y?Ilove
thissideofyou,thi
sangry, v
iciousside.AndI
thinkIwouldpissyouoffmor eof t
en,becauseI
woul dthor
oughlyenjoyseeingt hosegreeneyes
blazingwit
hfire,
"hestated,kissingmyl i
ps.
EventhoughIdi
dnotbeli
eveit
,butImanaged
topushhim away
."You'
resi
ck,
"Ispat.
"Andyou'
remywhore,
"herespondedwi
than
amusedglinti
nhi
seyes.
"Don'
tcal
lmet
hat
,I'
m war
ningy
ou,
Chr
is,
"I
gri
tt
edout.
"
Orwhat?Youaremywhor e,I
'm payi
ngy oua
mil
l
ionpoundsaf
teral
l,youshouldspread
t
hosethi
ghswheneverIcommand, "hetaunt
ed,
f
uel
l
ingmyanger
.
"You'recal
li
ngmeawhor e,
f i
ne,
thenI
'll
actl
i
ke
one,"Isaidbef
oret
urni
ngonmyheel sand
maki ngamaddashoutoft hedini
ngroom.
Runningoutofthehouse, Ilookedar oundf or
thechauff
eurbef orespot tinghi m goi nginside
hiscabi
n.From behi ndme, Icoul dhearChr is
foot
stepspoundi ngont hemar bl
ef loor.Bef or
e
hecouldreachme, Isprintedt owar dst hecabi n
i
nwhi chIwatchedt hechauf feurdi sappeari nto.
OnceIreachedt hecabi n,It hrewopent hedoor
andbargedinsi
de.Cl osingt hedoor ,Islidthe
l
ockintoplace,beforet urningar oundand
faci
ngthechauf feur.
Hewasl ayi
ngont hesof
awhi chwasagai nst
onewal l.Thesofawasf acingtheTVwhi chwas
againsttheopposi tewal
l,whil
eacof feetabl
e
waspl acedinfrontofthecouch.Hehad
shaggybr ownhai randsoftbrowney es.Hehad
anicef ace,butnotahandsomef ace,wit
h
sy
mmet ri
cal
f eat
ures,
exceptf
ort
henose
whichwascrooked.
"
Madam,isev
ery
thi
ngal
right
,woul
dyoul
i
keme
t
otakey
ousomewhere?
"Heasked.
"
What
'sy
ourname?
"Iasked,
breat
hingheav
il
y.
"
Ber
nar
d,Madam,
"heanswer
ed.
"Well
Ber nard,Iwantyout
otakeoffyour
cl
othes,"Itoldhim.Iwast
oofargonetolet
sani
tyinterferewit
hwhatIwasdoing.
Ber
nar
dstar
edatmei
nconf
usi
on."
Par
donme,
Madam."
"
Isai
d,t
akeof
fyourcl
othes,
"Ir
epeat
ed.
Suddenlyl
oudbangi
ngerupt
edthr
oughoutthe
cabi
n."Ali
ce,
openthedoort
hisi
nstant
!"He
shout
edf r
om theot
hersi
de.
"No,I
'
m awhore,l
etmedowhatIdobest."I
tur
nedtoBer
nardwholookedatmeasifIwas
anali
enfr
om anot
herpl
anet."
Whatar
ey ou
waiti
ngfor
,takeof
fy ourcl
othes.
"Iwentt
ohim
andbeguntounbuttonhisshir
t,whi
leBer
nar
d
stoodfr
ozen.
JustasIhadf reedthelastbutt
onandpushed
theredshir
tof fofBernard'
sshoul
ders,t
hedoor
toreoffi
tshingesandf lewtoonesideofthe
cabin.
Chri
sst ormedinside,l
ooki
ngliv
id,
hissea
greeneyesbur ni
ngwithf ur
y.

Befor
eIutteraword,Chrisyankedmeaway
fr
om Bernardandtossedmeov erhi
sshoul
der
l
ikeasackofpot at
os.Withoutawor d,
he
stor
medoutoft hecabin.Ikeptonpunchi
ng
andkicki
nghim onthebackbuti thadnoeff
ect
onhim.
Onceheent er
edthecastle,heglidedupthe
stai
rsandintoourbedroom.Thr owingmeon
thebed,heproceededtoremov ehi scl
othi
ng,
a
taskheaccompol i
shedinlessthant en
seconds.Isatuponthebed,myhear
tpoundi
ng
withfearasItooknot
eofthefur
yburni
nginhi
s
eyes.Iwasscaredastowhathewasgoingto
donow.
"Removeyourpanti
esandspreadyourl
egs,
Ali
ce,
"hetoldme,standi
ngbefor
eme
complet
elynaked.
"
Chr
is,
I'
m sor
ry,
"Imumbl
ed.
"Tel
lmesomet
hing,
li
tt
ledov
e,di
dy out
ouch
him?Didy
ouki
sshim?"Hequest
ioned,
hisey
es
hard.
Ishookmyheadr apidl
y."
No,IswearIdi
dn'
t,I
'
m
sorr
yChri
s,IswearIwasn'tgoi
ngtodo
anythi
ngwi
thhim, Iwasangry.
..
"It
rai
ledof
f.
Hecrawledonthebeduntilhewasaboveme
whil
eIwaslyingunderhi
m." Di
dyoureadthe
contr
actcar
eful
ly,
li
tt
lepeach?"Hequeri
ed,
cuppi
ngmycheek.
"
Yes,
"Iwhi
sper
ed,
afr
aidast
owher
ethi
swas
goi
ng.
"Thenyoumusthavereadt heclausethat
stat
edthati
nthisspanoft wel
vemont hsin
whichwewouldbemar riedyouar enotal
lowed
tocheatonyourhusband,"hesaid.
"
Yes,butChri
sIdi
dnotcheatonyou,
Iswear
,"I
t
oldhim,beggi
nghi
mtobelieveme.
"Butyouattempt
edtocheatonme,
"hest
ated,
hisvoiceeeri
l
ysoft
.
"
Iwasangr
y,"Ij
ust
if
ied.
"
Soy ouwereangryandyouplannedtocheaton
me,andnowI'm angry
,li
tt
leone,doy
out hi
nk
youcanhandl
ethat?"Heasked.
Myhear
tbeataccel
eratedatheari
nghiswords.
OhGod,pl
easedon'tlethi
m hurtme,pl
ease.
"
Chr
is,
I'
m sor
ry,
"Iapol
ogi
zedagai
n.
Taki
ngaholdofmydr ess,
heri
ppedt
he
mater
ial
inhal
f,bar
ingmet ohi
m.Thr
owi
ngt
he
torndr
essaside,
heyankedmybraandpant
ies
offme,leav
ingmenakedandathi
smercy.
Cuppingmysex, Heleanedfor
ward."Thi
s
belongstome,"hegrit
tedout,
glar
ingatme.
"Sayit,
sayt
hisbelongstome."
"
It
'sy
our
s,"Isai
d.
Foray
ear
.
Grabbingmybreastwi
thhi
sotherhand,he
gaveitasqueeze."
Thi
sbel
ongstome, sayit
,"
heordered.
"
It
'sy
our
s."Iwassot
err
if
iedofhi
mint
his
moment
.
Foray
ear
.
Heranhisov
ermybarebody
."All
oft
his
bel
ongstome,i
t'
smine,
sayit
,"Heor
dered
onceagai
n.
"
It
'sy
our
s,"It
oldhi
m.
Foray
ear
.
Remov inghishandf r
om mysex, hewrapped
hi
sarmsar oundmywai standlai
ddownont op
ofme, putt
inghisheadjustbelowmybr east.
Foralongt i
me, nei
therofussaidanyt
hing,my
hear
tandmi ndanti
cipati
nghisnextmov e.
"Youareahandful
,"Hesaid,
aftert
enminutes.
"Youaregoingtomakethisyearonehel
lofa
year
,"headded.Iwasn'
tsurewhetherhewas
complai
ningorcomplimenti
ngme.
"I
'
m sorr
y,"Imur
mured.AndIwas,
Iwasf
eel
i
ng
awful
aboutwhatIdi
d.
Heshookhi
shead,
hishairt
ickl
i
ngmybar
eski
n.
"
Youshoul
dbe,
"herepl
ied.
"
Iam,
"It
oldhi
m.
Hestil
lhadhi
sarmsar
oundmeli
keav i
ce."
You
arenotgoi
ngtodoany
thi
ngl
iket
hisev
er
agai
n,"hest
ated.
Itangledmyfinger
sinhishai
r,feel
i
ngthe
softness."
Don'tworr
y,Iwon'
t,
"Iassur
edhim.
"Youbetternot,becausethenextti
mey oudo
somethinglikethis,
Iwouldrui
ny ourli
feand
wouldhav ey ouli
cki
ngmyf eetfortherestof
yourexi
stance,"hethreat
ened,causingmy
heartt
ocl enchindread.
"
It
'sjustayear
,Chr
is,
theny
ouwoul
dbef
reeof
me,"Itol
dhim.
"I
fy oudosomet hi
ngli
kethi
sagain,
li
tt
ledove,
theny ouwoul
dbebeggi ngmeformercyeven
afterourcont
ractandthi
smarri
ageisover,
"He
said.
"
Ipromi
se,
Iwon'
tdoany
thi
ngl
i
ket
hisagai
n,
"I
r
eassur
edhi
m.
"
Good,
makesur
eyoudon'
t
."
"DoesthatmeanI '
m notawhore."Pl
easelet
him saythatIwasn'
tawhore,Ihatedthatword.
"Youareawhor
e,"Heresponded,t
ight
eni
nghi
s
armsaroundme,causi
ngtearstopri
ckmyeyes.
"Buty
ouaremywhor eand
mywi fe,notanyoneel
ses,j
ustmi
ne,
all
mine,
"
hesaid.Iwasn'tsurei
fthi
swasagoodthi
ngor
badthing.
"Chr
is,
canyouletmego, I
'
m get
ti
ng
uncomfor
tabl
e,
"Irequest
ed.
"
No,
"hedeadpanned.
"Howlongareyougoingtohol
dmef or
?"I
asked,
wriggl
ingunderhimtogeti
nasli
ght
y
morecomf or
tabl
epositi
on.
Hisanswermademyheartf
lut
terwi
th
happi
nessandsomet
hingel
sewhichIwasnot
sureof.
"
Forev
erl
ongasIwant
."
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t10<3
.
.
.

Grabbingthedresslyi
ngonmybed, Isl
idi
tover
thehanger.Putti
ngthedressont hebed,I
proceededt osli
deal
lmydr essesoverthe
hangers,whichdidn'
ttakel
ongast herewere
onlysixdresses.
Thedooroft hebedroom openedandChris
saunteredinhol
dingaplatewithdi
ff
erent
assortmentsoffoodandabagofsomesor t.
Givi
nghi m agl
ance,Iwentbacktomydr esses.
"
Youdi
dn'
teatbr
eakf
ast
,"hest
ated.
Ij
ustignor
edhim,l
ikeIhadbeendoi ngforthe
pasttwoweeks,gr
abbingthedressesIwent
i
nsidethewal
k-i
ncloset.Hangi
ngt hedr
esses
onthemetalr
ail
s,Istr
odebackt othebedroom.
Hewassi
tt
ingont
hebedwi
tht
hepl
ater
est
ing
onhisthigh,whi
l
ethebagwasont hebed.
Withoutspari
nghim agl
ance,Imademywayto
thedoor,eagert
ogetawayfrom hi
m,buthe
stoppedme.
"Al
i
ce,
stopacti
ngli
keachil
dandcomeeat
somet
hing,
"hesai
dinaster
nvoi
ce.
"I
'
m nothungry
,"Ishotback.Butthetr
uthwas,
I
wasfamished,butjustlooki
ngatthef
oodhad
mefeeli
ngqueasy .Ihadaf eel
i
ngImightbe
comingdownwi thast omachbug.
"
Ali
ce,
comebackher
eandeatsomet
hing,
"he
r
epeat
ed.
Si
ghi
ngdeepl
y,Ideci
dedtotel
lhi
mt het
ruth,
it
di
dn'
tmatt
erthatIwasmadathim,Ivowedto
beagoodwif
e,andIwasnotgoingtobreakmy
pr
omiset
hatImadei nf
rontofGod.
"
Chr
is,
I'
m notfeeli
ngwell
,sopleasedon'task
met
oeat,Ican'tevenl
ookatfood,"It
oldhim.
Hi
sey
ebr
owsf
urr
owedasconcer
nfl
ashedi
n
hi
seyes.Standi
ngup,
hequi
ckl
yst
rodeov
ert
o
meandgr i
ppedmyshoul
der
s.
"Whatdoy oumeany ou'renotf
eeli
ngwel l
?"He
placedahandonmyf oreheadtocheckifIwas
havingafever
."Youdon'thaveafever,
come,
si
tdown."Heledmeal l
thewayt othebed.
"Tell
mewhatareyoufeel
i
ng,"hesaidsof
tl
y,
surpri
singmewi
thhi
sgentlebehavi
or.
"If
eelf
ine,j
ustfeel
queasywhenIlookatf
ood,
"
Ianswered,
try
ingnottolookatt
heplat
efi
ll
ed
wit
hfood.
"
Queasy
,asi
nnauseous?
"Heenqui
red.
"
Yes,
"It
oldhi
m.
Noddinghishead,
hestoodup."
Waithere,I
'l
lbe
ri
ghtback."Hewenti
nsidet
hebathr
oom and
camebackaf t
erafewsecondscarr
yingfi
ve
smallboxes.
"
Her
e,goandt
aket
hese,
I'
ll
beher
e."He
handedmet heboxes.Lookingattheboxesmy
eyeswidenedwhenIsawf ivepregnancytest
s
al
l ofdi
ff
erentcompanies.
Myheartstar
tedpoundingasmyt hroatwent
dr
yatthethoughtofbeingpr egnant.IknewI
marr
iedhimf ort
hebaby ,butnow, whent here
wasastrongpossibi
li
tythatIcouldact uall
ybe
pr
egnantwithhisbaby,Iwast err
if
ied.
Howev er
,Idi
dashesai dandwenttot he
bathr
oom t oseeifIwaspregnantornot.
Closi
ngt hedoorbehindme,Iputthetestson
thesink.WithshakyhandsItookoutthetest
s
from theboxesandonebyoneusedt hem.
Aknocksoundedatthebat hr
oom door
.
Openingthedoor
,Isteppedasideasheenter
ed
thebathr
oom.Takingmyhand, heledmetothe
sinkwherethepr
egnancytestsweresi
tt
ing.
"Howlongunti
lweknowt
her
esul
ts?
"He
quest
ioned.
"Um, t
woboxessaidtwomi nut
eswhilet
he
otherthr
eesaidt
hreemi nut
es,
"Ianswer
ed.My
handwentt omynecklaceasawav eofanxi
ety
washedov erme.
Her ubbedmybacki nasoot hi
ngmanner ,hi
s
eyesnev erleavingt hetests.Meanwhi le,my
fi
ngerskeptt wistingt henecklacear oundmy
neck.Iwasn' tsurewhet herIshouldbehappyor
terr
ifi
ed.IfIwasi ndeedpr egnant,thenIwould
gettheremai ningf i
ftythousandpoundst hathe
promisedmeandIwoul dfulfi
l
lmyendoft he
bargain,butthet houghtofspendi ngnine
mont hscar r
yingababyandsuf f
eringfrom
hormonesandnauseamademewi shIhad
neveragr eedtot hisdeal .

Gr
abbi ngall
ofthetestsatonce,her
anhi
seyes
overeachone.Ijuststar
edathim wi
thwi
de
ey
es, afr
aidtoknowt heanswer.
Asmi l
emadei tswayonhisf aceashiseyesli
t
upwi t
hhappi ness.Myheartsunkatseeinghim
thi
shappy .Beforehecoul
dut terawordfrom
hismout h,Ialr
eadywhatther esul
tsoft
he
pregnancyt est
swere.
"You'
repregnant.
"Hesmiledatme,amegawatt
smilethatIhadnocl
uehewascapableof.
Putti
ngthetestsonthesink,
hetookmeinhis
armsandspunmear ound.
Putt
ingmedown, hetookmywr i
standtogether
weexitedt
hebat hroom.Whenwer eachedthe
bed,heputtheplateoffoodonthenight
stand
andgestur
edf ormet ositont
hebed.
"Wear
egoingt ovi
sitt
hedoctoronceyoueat
somet
hing,okay?
"Hegr abbedasli
ceofappl
e
fr
om t
heplateandhandedi tt
ome.
"I
'
m scar
ed,Chr
is,"Iwhi
spered.I
twasonly
whenthewordsleftmymout hdidIr
eali
zewhat
Ihadsai
d.Shi
t,hewasn'tsupposetoknow
whatIwasf
eel
i
ng.
Putt
ingthesli
ceofapplebackintheplat
e,he
cuppedmyf ace."
Why,li
tt
lefai
ry?Whyarey ou
scared?
"Hehadnev erbeenthi
sgentlewithme.
"I
—Idon'
tknow.
"Isobbed.Tear
spri
ckedmy
eyesasmyhear
tconstri
ctedi
nfear
.
"
Hey.
"Hewrappedmeinsecur
eembr
aceas
t
ear
sfel
lfr
eel
yfrom myey
es.
Bloodyhell,
womanwhati swrongwit
hyou.You
nevercry
,whyar ey oucry
ingnow.You'
re
pregnant
,notdying, st
opcry
ing!My
subconsciousscolded.
"Ssshhh,youhavenothi
ngtobescaredof
,I'
m
hereandI '
m notl
eavi
ngyou,goti
t?"Heki
ssed
myf oreheadwhil
erubbi
ngmyback.
Wow,ifIhadknownhewasgoi ngt hi
sgentl
e
andsweetwithmewhenIgotpr egnant,I
woul
d'vegott
enpregnantsooner
,atleastt
hen
hewouldn'
thavecall
edmeawhor e.
"I
'
m sor
ry.
"Isni
ff
ed,pul
l
ingawayf
rom hi
m."
I
di
dn'
tmeant ocr
y."
"I
t'
sokay,
don'
tapol
ogi
ze,
"her
esponded,
ki
ssingmytempl
e.
Picki
ngupt heplateoffood,
heplacedi
tont
he
bed."Eatsomething,t
henwe'll
gotothe
doctor.
"
"
Chri
s,Ir
eal
l
ycan'
teatany
thi
ng,
please,
"I
whi
ned.
"
Youhavetoeatsomet
hing,
li
tt
lepeach,i
t
woul
dnotbegoodfort
hebaby,"hestat
ed.
"ButIreal
l
ycan'
t,
Imi
ghtendupt
hrowi
ngup,
"I
argued.
Hesighed."
Okay,t
ell
y ouwhat ,i
fyoueatt
he
f
rui
tsintheplat
e,t
henaf tervi
sit
ingt
hedoctor
we'
l
lgot oseeyourbrother,
"hetoldme.
"
Reall
y,y
ou'l
ltakemet
oseeNico,promi
se?"I
r
eal
lywantedtoseemybr
other,
ithadbeenso
l
ong.Hewassupposetocomeli
vewit
husnow,
buthehadf
oll
owedthr
oughwit
hhis
consequencesandt
hreats,
andNicowasgoing
tocomel i
vewit
husafteranot
hertwoweeks.
"
Yes,butyou'
l
lhavetoeatt
hef
rui
tsi
nthepl
ate
f
ir
st,
"heresponded.
Withoutanot herwor d,Igrabbedoneoft hetwo
bananasf rom t heplat
eandhur r
iedlypeeledit
off.Fi
nishingt hebananai nthreebites,Ithr
ew
thepeel backi ntheplateandi mmedi ately
grabbedt heot herbanana.Oncet hebananas
wer egone, Iproceededt oeatalltheeight
sli
cesofappl e,whichdidn'tt
akemel ongt o
fi
nish.
"
Done,
let
'sgo,
"It
oldhi
m.
"Okay,goputonyourhat
,coatandgl
oves,I
don'twantyoucat
chingacold,
"heor
dered.
Ski
ppi
ngtothewalk-
incl
oset
,Iqui
ckl
ygrabbed
mycoat,
glovesandhat
.Exi
ti
ngthecl
oset,I
quickl
youtonmycoatandsl
idmyhandsint
he
woolenglov
es.Put
tingonmyhat
,Iwentt
o
standinf
rontofhi
m.
"
Done,
let
'sgo,
Iwantt
oseemybr
other
,"Isai
d.
Justthet
houghtofseeingNicoaftersolong
hadmef or
gett
ingmyf earofbeingpregnant
.
AslongasIwouldhavemybr ot
her,nothi
ng
coul
dputmydown.Ni cowasmyhappi ness.
"We'l
lgotothedoct
orf
ir
st,
"hesai
daswe
exi
tedthebedroom.
.
Chri
sopenedthedoort oDr.Beck'sroom.Ther
e
wasnotmuchi ntheroom.Adeskwaspl aced
agai
nstonecorner,
behindwhichsatawoman
wholookedtobeinhert hi
ri
ti
es.Thewal l
swere
whit
ewithafewf r
amedcer ti
fi
cateshangingon
onewall
.Abedwaspl acedagainstonewall
,
wit
honeofthoseplast i
ccurt
ainshangingfr
om
ametalrod.
"Mr.Pal
mer,whatapleasur
etoseeyou,
"Dr.
Becksaidwit
hasmile.Shehadanicesmil
e,
softandsweet.
Howdi dthedoctorknowwhoChriswas?
May be,Christ
ookanappoi
ntmentbefor
e
comi nghere.Ormaybehewasjustt
hatfamous
thateverybodyknewhim.
"Call
meChr i
s,andthi
sismywif
e,Ali
ce,
"he
said,put
ti
nghisar
m aroundmyshoul
ders.
"Ni
cetomeety ou,Mr
s.Pal
mer,howmayIhel
p
youtoday
?"Dr.Beckdi
dn'
tbeataroundt
he
bush,t
hatwasgood.
"
Mywifeispregnant
,Iwoul
dli
keyoutotakea
l
ookather,
makesur eshe'
sal
ri
ght
,"
hetoldher
.
Undernormalci
rcumstances,Chri
sconcern
andgentl
ebehaviorwouldhavemeswooni ng
overhi
m.ButIknewhewasnotact ingt
hisway
becauseofme,hewasact ingthi
swaybecause
ofthebaby.
"Oh,Iassumet hepr egnancyt estwaspositi
ve?
"
Dr.Becksmi l
edonceagai n.Iwonder edwhat
hernamaswas.Chr isdidn'ttellmehername,
andIwast oopr ecoccupiedwi ththethoughtof
seeingNicotoact uall
ybot herlooki
ngatthe
plaquenail
edont hedoor .
"
Fiv
eofthem cameoutposi
ti
ve,
"Chr
is
r
espondedpr
oudly
.
"Al
ri
ght
,howfaral
ongdoyouthi
nky
ouar
e,Mr
s.
Pal
mer?"Dr
.Beckaskedme.
"
Um,wegotmar
ri
edtwoweeksago,so,
Iguess
t
woweeks,
maybeone,
"Ianswer
ed.
"Andyouneverengagedi
nanysor
tofsexual
acti
vi
tybef
oreyougotmarri
ed?
"sheenquir
ed.
"
No,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Wel
l,
okay,soifyouarepregnantt
henit'
stoo
ear
lyt
otellbecausewecan'tdoanultr
asound,
ori
tmightallbefal
sealar
m,"Dr.Beckstat
ed.
"
Excuseme,whatdoyoumeanafal
seal
arm,
mywifei
spregnant
,shewasf
eel
i
ngnauseous
t
oday,
"hetol
dher.
"I
tcouldbeasimplestomachbug,bei
ng
nauseousdoesnotalwaysmeanthepersoni
s
pregnant
,"Dr
.Beckresponded.
"Allf
iveofthepr
egnancytest
sgav eaposit
ive
resul
t,"Chr
isper
sist
ed.Icoul
dtellt
hatDr.
Beck'sclai
mswer estar
ti
ngtopissChri
soff.
"Pregnancytestsarenev erhundr
edpercent
rel
iable,Mr.Palmer,butIwillt
akeasampleof
yourwi f
e'sbloodtocheckf oranysignof
pregnancy ,
"Dr.Becktoldhim,whowasnone
toohappyaboutDr .Becksay i
ngthatIwasnot
pregnant.
"Fi
ne,butI
'mt
ell
i
ngyoumywifei
spregnant
,I
canfeeli
t.
"Hemutt
eredt
hel
astpar
ttohimsel
f.
"
Right
,Mr
s.Palmer,i
fyoucoul
djustholdout
y
ourarmI'
l
ltakeyourbl
ood,
"Dr.Becktoldme.
Idi
dasshesai dandhel doutmyr i
ghtarm.Dr
.
Beckcameandst oodinf r
ontofme.Upon
cl
oserinspecti
on,Iwassur pr
isedtoseeexact
ly
howbluet hedoctor'
sey eswere,andther
ewas
apimpleonherl eftcheek.
Dr.Beckr emov edthecapoft hesyri
nge,
rubbingsomeant i
septi
cl i
qui
donmyar m wi
tha
cottonbal l,sheplacedtheneedlewhereshe
hadr ubbedt hecottonon.Iwincedwhent he
needlepi ercedmyski n.Ithur
twhencr i
mson
bloodl eftmybodyandf lowedinthesyri
nge.
Thesi ghtofmybl oodbot hdi
sgustedand
fascinatedme.
Alltoosoonitwasov er
.Dr.Beckwi
thdrewt he
needlefr
om myar m andbandagedthepierced
area.Putt
ingthecapbackont hesy
ringe,Dr.
Beckwentbehi ndherdeskandsatdown.
"Ihav
etakenasampl
eofherblood,Mr.Pal
mer ,
youcancomeandcoll
ectther
eport
sinthree
days.
"Dr.Beckt
hent
urnedtome."Anddot ake
anotherpregnancytestaf
teraweek, j
usttobe
sure,andasapr ecauti
on,I
'm pr
escri
bingyou
somev i
tamins,
donotf or
gettotakethem, y
ou
cancomebacki fyouhaveanypr obl
em,"she
sai
d.
"
Thanky
ou,
doct
or,
"It
oldher
.
"
Well,
weshouldgetgoing,
thankyousomuch
f
oryourt
ime,Dr.Beck.
"Chri
sstoodup,whi
l
eI
f
oll
owedhisl
ead.
"
It
'snopr
obl
em atal
l
,"Dr
.Beckr
epl
i
ed.
"Let'
sgo,
Ali
ce.
"Taki
ngmyhand, heallbut
draggedmeoutofDr.Beck'
sroom andoutof
thehospi
tal
.
Oncewewer einthecardidhefi
nal
lyl
etl
oose
al
ltheangerhehadreignedinwhi
lewewere
wit
hthegynecologi
st.
"Thatstupi
ddoct or
,whothehellgaveherthe
fucki
n'degree?"Heseethed."
Likehel
l you'
re
notpregnant,Iknowyou'r
epregnant,Icanfeel
i
t.
"
"Chri
s,rel
ax,thedoctorwasjustbeingcauti
ous,
shedidn'tcomeout ri
ghtandsaidthatIwasn'
t
pregnant,shejustsai
dit'
stooearl
yt otel
l
,"I
saidsoftl
y,tr
yingtocalm myhusband.
"
Wel
lsheshoul
dbesur e.Imean,
I'
m sur
ethat
y
ou'
repr
egnant
,"heseethed.
Well
,you'
renotadoct
or,
mysubconsci
ous
st
ated.
"
Welli
gnoreher
,ifyoubel
iev
eI'
m pregnantthen
youmustberi
ght.Bytheway,y
ounev ertol
d
mewhatthedoctor'
snamewas,"Isaid,t
ryi
ng
t
ochangethesubject
.
"Youar
epregnant.Andhernameisn'
timportant
,
hell
sheshoul
dn'tevenbecall
edadoctorsi
nce
shecan'
tdoherbloodyjobri
ght,
"hesnapped.
"Okay,we'l
lgotoanot
herdoct
orthenextti
me,
okay.Let'
sgoandseemybr ot
her."If
ast
ened
myseat bel
t."
Youaregoi
ngtotakemet osee
Ni
co,
right
?"
"
Yes,ofcour
se,Ipr
omisedtotakey ou,
plusit
wouldmakeyouhappy,af
terall
,ahappy
mothermeansahealt
hybaby,"heresponded.
Hewastednotimei ndr
ivi
ngoutofthehospi
tal
.
Ihadafeel
ingthathewouldnotcomebackto
thi
shospi
talev
eragain.
Howev er,onceagainmyt houghtswer e
occupiedwi t
hthatofmyl it
tl
ebrother.Iwasso
excit
edt oseeNi coaftertwoweeks.Ihopehe
wasokayandhappywi t
hKei r
an,Idi
dnott r
ust
Nicowi t
hany one.IfKeiranhadnott aken
propercareofmybr otherIswearIwasgoi ngt
o
pullouthisheartandwoul dswi t
chitwi t
h
Nico's.
Icoul
dn'
twai
ttoseemyl
i
ttl
ebr
other
.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t11<3
.
.
.

"Comeon, wecoul
d'
vebr
oughtNicobackwi
th
us,"IwhinedasChri
sandIr
etur
nedtothe
castle.
"No,you'
repunishmentisn'toveryet,
soNicoi
s
goingtostaywithKeir
anf oranothertwo
weeks,"heresponded,t
akingthest ai
rswit
hme
fol
lowingbehindhim.
"Icantakecareofmybrot
hermuchbet
tert
han
Keirancan,
"Iargued.
"
Yes,butKei
rani
stakingcar
eofNicojustf
ine,
y
ou'v
eseenitwit
hy ourowneyes,
"hesaid.
I
twastrue,
Keiranwastaki
ngbettercar
eof
Ni
cothanIthoughthewould.Kei
ranmadesur
e
thatmybrot
herhadeveryt
hinghewantedor
needed.Ni
cohadev er
ythi
ngther
e,f
rom toy
sto
gamest omedi
cinesandfood.
WhenChr i
sandIarrivedatKeiran'
sloft
,Ni co
hadr ushedovertomeandt hrewhimselfatme.
Iwasmor ethanhappyt ocatchmyl i
ttl
ebr other.
Wehadsomef ood,andChr i
swastednot i
mei n
breakingthenewsaboutmebei ngpregnantt o
Keiran;evenwhenIt ol
dhim andKeirant hatit
wast ooearlytotel
l
, i
tdidn'
tstopKeiranfrom
shout i
ngtothewholewor ldhowhewasgoi ng
tobeanuncl e.
Aft
ertwohour sChrisandItookourleavefr
om
Keir
an.NicoaskedmewhenIwasgoi ngto
comeandv isi
thim next,
butIdidnothavean
answerforthat
,soIwasmor ethanhappywhen
Chri
stol
dNi cothathewouldcomel ivewit
hus
aft
ertwoweeks, whichhadNicobeami ng.
IbeggedChr
ist
oletNi
cocomewi t
husnow,
buthewasadamantandsai
dthatmy
punishmentwasnoty etoverandt hatwe
neededt ospendt
imet ogett oknoweachother
.
Ididnotseethepointofgettingtoknoweach
other,si
ncehecall
edmeawhor eandall
,but
arguingwit
hhim waspointless.
Soherewewer e,backinourcast
le,wit
houtmy
brot
her,
withmesul ki
ngandhim beingthe
sameashewas.Wemadei ttoourbedroom
andmyey eszeroedinonthebagsitti
ngonthe
bedwhichChri
shadbr oughtearl
i
er.Iwondered
whatwasinit.
"
What
'si
nthebag,
Chr
is?
"Iaskedhi
m.
"Oh,If
orgot,Iboughtadr
essforyou,
"he
answered,handingmethebagwhichlookedas
i
fitbel
ongedt osomeexpensi
v ecl
othi
ngstore.
Asmi l
efl
i
ttedacr
ossmyf
acebefor
eitdi
edasI
gazedatt
hebaginmyhands.Thewor
d
whor
ekeptr
esonat
ingi
nmymi
ndasIst
aredat
t
hebag.
"Ican'
tacceptt
his,
Chris,butt
hankyou
anyway,"It
oldhi
m, put
tingthebagbackont
he
bed.
Hefrownedashedi scardedhisjacket
.Comi ng
overtome,hegri
ppedmyshoul dersgently
.
"Why?Doyounotlikeit?Icanalway sexchange
i
tandbuyadr esst
haty oulike,
"hesaidtome.
Myangerrear
editsugl
yheadasIlookedathi
m.
"Doyoubuycl
othesforal
lyourwhor
es?"I
spi
tt
edout.
"
What ?
"Heaskedfl
abber
gast
ed."
No,whyar
e
t
alki
ngliket
his?
"Whywasheacti
ngsocl
uel
ess?
"Di
dyouforgett
haty
oucal
l
edmeawhore?
"Di
d
hesuf
ferfr
om amemorydysf
unt
ion?
"Li
tt
ledov
e,st
opsayingt
hatword.I
nfact,
you
arenotal
l
owedtoswearorsayanysortofa
badwordfort
herestofy
ourli
fe,
"hestat
ed.
"
What
,why
?!"Ishr
ieked.
"Becausey ou'
repregnantwit
hmybaby,andi
f
yousweart henthebabyi sgoi
ngt
olear
nhow
toswear, soIfor
bidyoutoswearfr
om nowon,"
heex pl
ained.
"That'
sabsurd,andy oucal
ledmewho—"hecut
meof fbyplaci
nghi shandov ermymout h,
effect
ivel
ysil
encingme.Ithrashedand
str
uggledtogetoutofhi sgri
p, buthewastoo
str
ongascompar edt omeandmysmal lfr
ame.
"Yousayt hatawf ulwordonemor etimeand
you'l
lknowwhat '
llhappen,
"hewar ned.Myeyes
widenedwhent her ealmeaningofhiswords
sankin.Hewasgoi ngtoextendNico'
sstay
withKeiranifIdidn'tdoashesaid.
Remov i
nghi
shandfrom mymout h,he
envel
opedmeinahug.Hisacti
onst ookmeby
sur
pri
se,andwhenhebegunkissingmy
for
ehead,mycheeksandthenfi
nall
ymylipsI
wasfrozeni
nshock.Whatwaswr ongwit
ht hi
s
man?Onemomenthewascal l
i
ngmeawhor e
andthenexthewasshut ti
ngmeupwhenev erI
saidt
hatword.Ifhekeptupwi t
hthiski
ndof
behavi
or,
Ihadaf eeli
ngthatthenextel
even
andahalfmont hsweregoingtobenoless
thanarol
lercoasterr
ide.
"Nev
ersaythatwordagai
n,oranybadwor
d,
okay?You'
renot
..
.t
hat,
"hetol
dme.
"I
'
m notwhat
?"Iquest
ioned,
teasi
nghim.I
knewwhathemeantbutitwasfunir
ri
tat
ing
him.
"
Youknowwhat
.Thatwordyousaid.
..
thet
hing
t
hatIcal
l
edy
ou,you'
renott
hat
,"heanswered.
Myheartbloomedwithhappinessathear
ing
hi
m saythat.Hedidnotthi
nkIwasawhor e.I
smil
edasIi nhal
edhi
sscent,myhusbanddid
notbel
i
eveIwasawhor e.
"
Thankyou,t
hatmeansal
ott
ome,
"It
oldhi
m,
f
eel
inghappy
.
"
You'
rewel
come,
li
tt
lepeach,
"hemur
mur
ed,
ki
ssi
ngt
het
opofmyhead.
Releasingmef r
om hisembr ace,het ookast ep
back.Gr abbingthebagf rom thebed, hehanded
i
tt omeonceagai n.Hesitantly,Iremov edthe
boxf rom thebag,thenpr oceededt oopeni t
.
Insidetheboxwasagor geous, roy albluedress.
Itwasahal t
erneckwi t
habr oochi ntheshape
ofaf lowerrightbel
owt hebr east .Iputt he
dressagai nstmeandsawt hatitf elljusthal
fan
i
nchbel owmeknees.I twasbeaut iful,and
expensive.
"Chr
is,
thisdressmustbesoexpensive,
whydid
youbuyit?"Iranmyhandsoverthesoft
materi
al,
feeli
ngpriv
elegedt
hatheboughtsuch
anexpensivedressforme.
"I
twasnotexpensiv
eatal l
..
.atl
eastnowthatI
thi
nkabouti
t,thi
sdresswasnotexpensiveat
all
.
"Hemut t
eredthelastparttohi
mself
.
"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Igaz
edathi
m wi
tha
smi
l
eonmyf
ace.
"
Not
hing,
got
ryi
ton,
"heur
ged.
"Um,may belater,Iwanttot
alktoyouabout
somet hi
ng. "TheonlyreasonIdidn'
twantt
otry
thedressonwasbecauseIwasaf r
aidImi
ght
rui
nthedr ess;Ineverhadanyt
hingthi
s
expensive.
"Ofcour
se,whati
sit
,li
tt
lef
air
y?"Hesatdown
ontheedgeofthebednextt
ome.
"Haveyoufoundacar
diol
ogi
stf
ormybr
other
?"
Iquest
ioned.
"Yes,Ihavefoundt wocar di
ologiststhatare
knownt obet hebestintheUni tedKi ngdom,we
cangoandt alktothem abouty ourbr ot
her,
and
whoev eryouthinkisbetterwe'l
l askhi mto
operateonNi co,"hetol
dme, inst ant
lyeasi
ng
mywor r
ies.
"Thankyousomuch,Chr
is,
youar
esoki
nd,
"I
said,br
eat
hingasi
ghofrel
i
ef.
"Sure,
anythingelse? "Hewasbei ngsosweet ,
I
wishedthatoncet hi scontr
actwasov erand
Chri
sandIwer efinished,Iwouldfindaman
exactl
yli
kehi m,ex ceptforthepartwher ehe
wasf i
lt
hyrich.Iwant edmyboyfri
endor
husbandtobewel l offbutnotf
il
thyrichlikehi
m,
Iwantedsomeoneofmyst andards.
"Yes,
whencanwegomeetthedoct
ors?
"I
wantedtogetNi
co'
ssur
ger
ydoneassoonas
possi
ble.
"
Whenev
ery
ouwant
,"heanswer
ed.
"
Howaboutdayaf
tert
omor
row,
"Isuggest
ed.
"Okay,
I'
ll
getanappoi
ntmentwi
thbothofthe
doctor
sandthenwe'l
lgomeett
hem,"hetold
me
"
Okay
,thanky
ou,
"Isai
d.
"Okay,nowI
'
m goi
ngtogot omyst
udy,I
'v
egot
somewor kt
odo,whi
leyoucangoseethe
l
ibrar
yorgoouti
nthegarden,
what
everyouf
eel
l
i
kedoi
ng,
"hest
ated,
standi
ngup.
"There'
salibrary
,where?Iwantt oseei
t."The
factthatt
herewasal i
braryher
ef i
l
ledmewi t
h
excit
ement.Ilovedlibr
ariesandbooks,andit
wasagoodt hingforNico,too.
"Yes,
thel
ibr
aryi
sonthesi
xthfl
oor
,Icanhave
oneofthemaidst
akeyout
here,
"heanswered.
"
No,don'
tbothert
hemai
ds,
I'
ll
findt
hel
i
brar
y
mysel
f,
"It
oldhim.
"Okay,butonlyreadthegoodbooksi nthe
l
ibrar
y,andmakesur ey ouarei
nacomf ortabl
e
posit
ion,don'teventhinkaboutusi
ngtheladder
toreacht hehighershelves,
usethest
aircase,
understand?"Hei nst
ructed.
"Whyreadonlythegoodbooks?Andwhatwas
wrongwithtaki
ngaladder?"Thi
smangave
somestrangeinst
ruct
ionsatti
mes.
"
Becausey
ouarepregnantnow,sousi
nga
l
adderi
sdanger
ousisforyou,
youmightf
all
andhur tyoursel
fandt hebaby .Andyoumust
readonlythegoodbooksbecausei fyouread
thebadbookst henitwillhaveanegativ
e
i
mpactont hebaby .
"Hewast alki
ngasifthe
babywasal r
eadyher e,orthebabyhad
supernaturalpowerswher eheorshewoul d
knowwhatIwasr eading.
ButIdidnotwanttoar
guewithhi
m,especi
all
y
whenhewasbei ngsosweettome.Soeven
thoughhi
sinst
ruct
ionsseemedali
tt
le
ri
dicul
oustome,Inoddedwit
hasmile.
"Okay ,
sure,asyousay,bytheway,whichbooks
arecat egori
zedasgood?"Ihadtoknowwhi ch
bookswer egoodbecauseifhecaughtme
readingabookwhi chwasnotgoodIwoul dbe
i
nt rouble.
"Encyclopedi
as,dict
ionari
es,hi
stor
ybooks,
basical
lyanysortofeducat i
onalbooks.
..
other
thanthat,fai
ryt
aleswithhappyendingsand
nurseryrhymes,stuffl
ikethat,
"heanswered.
Iwasnotgoingtospendmyt i
mer eadi
ng
nur
seryr
hymes."Howmanybooksdoy ouhav
e
i
ntheli
brar
y?"Itwouldbeabsol
utelyamazi
ngif
hehadahugel i
brar
y.
"
Thel
ibr
aryt
akesupt
hreefl
oorsoft
hecast
le,
y
ou'
ll
knowonceyougother
e,"hei
nfor
medme.
"Whichfl
oor
sdoest
hel
i
brar
yoccupy
?"I
enquir
ed.
"
Fif
th,
sixt
handsev
ent
h,"her
epl
i
ed,
str
idi
ngt
o
t
hedoor.
"Ar
ethebooksdivi
dedint
oai
slesor
somethi
ng?"Iquer
ied.
"Yes,
don'tbothergoi
ngtot hefift
hf l
oor,
it'
sthe
archi
ves,youcanroam aroundt hesixthfl
oor,
"
heresponded.Hewassopat ientwhen
answeringmyquest i
ons,neveronesdi dhe
showanysi gnofannoyanceori rr
itat
ion.
Openi
ngt
hedoor,
heexi
tedthebedr
oom,
l
eavi
ngmeponderi
ngt
hingsaboutt
hel
ibr
ary
.
Placingthedr
essbackinthebox,andcar
eful
l
y
sli
dingtheboxbackinthebag,Iputt
heboxin
theclosetandlef
tther
oom.
Takingthest air
st woatat i
me, Ir
eachedt he
sixt
hf l
oori nnot i
me.I mmedi atel
y,myey esf el
l
upont hemet al
gatet hatbarredmef rom going
tothesev enthfloorandf iguri
ngoutwhot he
womani nt heportrai
twasandt hemy st
eryof
thefloor
sabov e.Glaringattheelectroni
c
keypad,Iv owedt omy sel
fthatIwasgoi ngt o
fi
ndoutt hepasscodeandgoupt ot hesev enth
fl
oor.
Af t
ergett
ingmybr eathi
ngbacktonor mal,I
wander edaroundthesixt
hf l
ooruntil
Icamei n
frontofasetofgiantdoubledoors.Al lt
he
door si
nthiscastl
ewer ehugesndt hick,but
theseonest ookthecake.Madeoft hesame
darkwoodast herestofdoors,
thedoubl e
door shadanintri
catecarv
ingonthem.The
doorknobsl ookedtobemadeofsomeheav y
metal
,
maybebrass,
Ididnothav
eany
knowl
edgeaboutmetal
s.
Grabbi
ngholdofaknob, Itwisteditandpushed
thedooropen.Myheartleaptwi t
hexcitement
whenmyol factor
ysensesdet ect
edt hesmellof
newandol dbooks.Wastingnot i
mest anding
outsi
de,Ienter
edtheli
braryandclosedt he
doorbehindme.
Itwasl ikeIhaddi edandwentt oheav enasI
gazedupont hel i
braryforthef ir
stt i
me.Ilooked
ev erywher e,
tryingtoabsor bev eryt i
nydetailal
l
atonce.Asmi lecur vedmyl ipsasmyey estook
i
nt henumer ouslevel softhel i
brary.Iti
lt
edmy
headal l t
hewaybackasIf ollowedt heshel v
es
allthewayt ot hetop.Ther ewer er eadingnooks
andal cov es,alongwi t
hdesksandcushi oned
chai r
s.Ther ewasnotasi nglespott hatwas
freeofbooks.Shel vesuponshel veswer e
crampedwi t
hbooks.Achandel i
erhungf r
om
thecei l
ing.Readi ngl ampswer eplacedi nevery
cornerandonev er
ytable,casti
ngasof tglow
aroundtheroom.Thest air
swer esuppor t
edby
abani st
erwhi
chhadani nt
ricat
epattern,si
milar
totheoneont hedoor,onit.Theli
brarywas
everybookworm'sfant
asy ,andIgottol i
vethat
fantasy.
Notheedi ngChr isintructions, Imademyway
downt hest ai
rsandent eredt hear chives.Dust
rul
edt heai rasIt ookmyf irstbreat hinthe
archivesandi mmedi atelyst art
edcoughi ng.
Aftercoughi ngl i
keat otal mani ac,Ibegunt o
walkar oundt hear chi ves.Ther ewer enumer ous
shelvesher easwel l,butascompar edt othe
shelvesabov e,theseshel veswer edust yand
l
ookedasi fnoonehadt ouchedt hem iny ears.I
thoughtt hear chiveswoul dhav eboxeswi th
uselessf i
les,butov erher et hearchi veslooked
l
ikeahar dlyvisi
tedl ibrary.
Myey eswidenedwhenIsawanaisl
ewith
Kei
ran'snameonit.Iwasaboutt
orushovert
o
i
tbutIstoppedwhenmyey eslandedonChr i
s
name.Therewasanaisl ededicat
edtomy
husband.Fl
it
ti
ngmyey esov erall
theai
slesI
camet oknowthatal
lthemember soft
he
Palmerfamil
yhadanai slewhichwasdedicated
tothem.
Iwonderediftherewasanai sl
ededi
catedto
thewomani nthepor t
rai
t.Buteveni
fther
ewas,
howwoul dIknow, Idi
dn'
tknowhername.
Sighi
nginfr
ust r
ati
on,Iwentovertotheai
sle
thatwasdedicatedtosomeonenamedJul ia.
Numer ousbooksl inedtheshelvesfr
om topto
bott
om.Iwonder edwhatwassoi mportant
aboutthiswomant hatshehadsomanybooks
i
nherai sl
e.Placingmyf ingersonthefir
stbook
myey eslandedon, Ipul
l
edi tout
.Thebook
cameouteasi lyalongwi t
hacl oudofdustthat
nearl
ysentmei ntoanothercoughingfi
t.Si
tti
ng
downont hefl
oorwi t
hmybackagai nstthe
woodenshel f
,Iopenedt hebook.
*
**Di
aryofJul
i
aMar
iePal
mer
1821-
1824*
**
Readingthet i
tl
ehadmegaspi ng.Thi
swasa
diar
y?!Quicklyfl
ippi
ngthrought
hepages,I
cameacr ossdiaryentri
esofthr
eeyears,
one
foreachday .Thi
sJul i
awomanhadr ecor
ded
herli
feinherdiary.Fasci
nati
ng.
Feel i
ngli
keIhadst umbleduponahi st ori
cal
treasure,Iputthedi ar
ybacki ni
tsplaceand
tookoutanot heronefrom anothershel f
.
Readi ngthef i
rstpage,Igottoknowt hati twas
anot herdiary
.Af t
ergoingthroughdifferent
booksi nJul i
a'saisl
eIcamet oknowt hatallof
them wer ediaries;r
ecordi
ngsoft hei
rl i
ves.
Planningt oreadaboutJul i
asomeot hertime,I
l
ef theraisleandt houghtaboutwhichai sleto
visitnext.
Afr
ownmar r
edmyf acewhenIsawanaisl
e
wi
thoutaname.Cur
ious,
Istr
odeovert
oit,
and
sawanai sl
esi
milart
othatofJuli
a'
s.It
hought
thi
saisl
ewouldbeempt ysi
nceithadnoname
onitbutIwaswrong.
Wi t
houtt hi
nkingIgr abbedthef i
rstbookthatI
gotmyhandsonof ftheshelfandopenedi t.
I
nst eadoff i
ndingani nscri
ptiononwhot his
diarybelongedt o,
api cturefell
out.Bending
down, Ipickedupt hephot ographandt heface
thatIsawhadmegaspi ng.
I
twast
hewomani
nthepor
trai
t.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t12<3

.
.
.
Staringatt hephot ographf oraf ewmi nutes,I
l
ookedatev erysingledet ai
l.Thephot ograph
wascol ored,whichmeanti twasf rom thi
s
century.Thel adyl ookedt obev eryy oung,no
olderthan17, andwasst andingnextt oa
woman, probablyaf ri
endsi ncet heylookedt o
beaboutt hesameage.Shewaswear ingav ery
prettybabypi nkgownwi thagor geous
mat chinghat .Herf r
iendwaswear ingagr een
gownwi thamat chinghat .Ifl
ippedt he
photogr apht oseewhet hertherewasaname
wr i
tt
enofwhowasi nthephot ographusual ly
therewasbutt hebacksi dewasbl ank.
Putti
ngthephotographbackinsidethediary,
I
fl
ippedthr
ought hecontent
softhebookbut
foundnothi
ng.Itwast hebl
ank,empt y
,nota
singl
ewordorev enadr opofi
nkwaspr esentin
thediar
y.Ithoughttheremi
ghtatleastbea
namet el
li
ngmewhot hi
sdi
arybelongedt o,
but
no,
thewhol
ejour
nal
wasempt
y.
Notgi vingup, Iputtheempt yjour nalbackon
theshel fandt ookoutacoupl eofot herjournal
s.
Quicklyf l
ippingthrought hem Iwas
disappoi ntedast heywer eempt y,justl
ikethe
fi
rstone.Checki ngoutaf ewot herj our
nalsbut
fi
ndi ngthem empt y,Isighedindi sappointment .
Othert hant hephot ograph, t
herewasnot hing
aboutt hewoman.Somebodyhadobv i
ously
wor kedhar dtohideher ..
.ormay beer aseher .
Glancingatthecl
ock, myhear tjumpedi nmy
throatwhenIsawi twas1: 30pm.I twasal most
l
uncht imeandifChr i
sf oundmeov erhere,he
wasnotgoi ngtobehappy .Decidingt ocome
downher esomeot hert i
me, Idustedmyhands
andwentupst ai
rstot hesixthfloor;howev er,
mymi ndwasstil
lstuckt othef i
ft
hf loor.Ther
e
wasnowayIwasgi vi
nguponf i
ndingabout
thatwoman.Ihadoney eartofigureoutwho
shewas; 365dayst ofindoutt hetrut h.
Joggingovert oar andom shelfont hesi xt
h
fl
oor,Ipl
uckedar andom bookandsatdownon
thefl
uffycushionwhi chwasr ightnextt othe
shel
f.Thetitl
eoft hebookt oldmet hatitwasa
bookaboutpl ants,bori
ng.Ididn'tli
kest udying
aboutplants,t
heybor edmet odeat h.Even
whenIwasi nhighschool ,
Iprayedt hatt he
chapteronplantswoul dbeov ersoonsowe
coul
dmov eont ot hehumanbody ,Ilikedthe
humanbodymuchbet tert
hanpl ants.
Howev er,Ideci dedt oreadt hebookany way s;
notbecauseIhaddev elopedasuddeni nt erest
i
nv ariousgr eenpl ants,butbecausei f
somebodycamel ookingf orme, they'l
lseeme
readingabookonpl ants,andnotr if
li
ngt hrough
thear chiveslikebeeonami ssi on.May beI 'dgo
downt ot hear chivesandsear chmor eabout
themy sterylady .Iknewshewasr el
atedt ot he
Palmer 's, t
hatmuchwasobv iousf r
om her
features.Butwhatki ndofar elati
onshi pdi dshe
exactl
yhave?Andwhywastherenosignofher,
othert
hantheport
rai
tint
heci
rcul
arroom and
thephotogr
aphdowninthear
chiv
es?Wasshe
dead?Ihopednot,
shehadtobeali
ve.
"Mrs.Pal
mer .
"Ijumpedatheari
ngt hesudden
voi
ce.Raisi
ngmyheadf rom thebookIsaw
noneotherthenHelgastandi
ngaf ewfeetaway
fr
om me.Gr eat,
noothermaidcouldcome.
"Yes,Hel
ga?"It
ri
edtobepol
i
te,
andt
ri
edv
ery
hard.Idi
dnotli
kethi
swoman.
"
LunchisreadyandMr.Pal
mersr
equest
ing
y
ourpresence,
"shet
oldme.
"
Okay,I'
l
lbedowninacoupl
eofmi
nut
es,
thank
y
ou."Ismil
edather
.
"
No,
youcomewi
thmenow,
"shesai
d.
"Hel
ga,Isai
dI'l
lbeinthedi
ningr
oom i
na
coupl
eofmi nutes,
"Ir
epeat
ed.
"
No,
youmustcomewi
thmenow,
youshoul
d
notmakeMr.Pal
merwai t,
heisy ourhusband.
"
AndnowIreal
lydi
dnotlikeher.Justbecause
shewastheheadhousekeeperdidnotmean
shewasmybossandcoul dtel
l mewhatt odo.
Yes,butyoumustdowhatshesay sorChr i
sis
goingtobeupsetwi t
hy ou.Ther
eisnoway
Chriswouldli
stent owhaty ouhavetosaywhen
i
tcomest ohisloy almaidandherl oyalwords,
sodon'twastey ourwor dsandjustfoll
owt he
oldhagtothedi ni
ngr oom.Itwasoneoft hose
rareti
meswhenmysubconsci ouswasr i
ght
andchoset obesuppor tive.

Closingthebookwi t
hasi gh,
Istoodupandsl id
thebookbacki ni
tsplace.Dustingmy selfabit
tomakesur ether
ewasnotaspeckofdi r
ton
mesonoonewoul dgetsuspi ci
ous, Igestured
forHelgatol eadt
heway .Sheturnedand
strodeoutoft hel
ibr
arywi thmef oll
owing
behind.Helgakeptlookingbackper iodi
callyto
makesureIwasfoll
owi
ngher,butdidnotut
ter
asingl
ewordwhichIwasgr
atefulfor
.Icoul
dn'
t
st
andherorder
ingmetoobeyChr i
sliket
he
womeni nt
he70s.
Whenweent eredt hedini
ngr oom, Iwalked
towar dsChri
swhowassi t
ti
ngi nhisusual place
swipingawayonhi scellphone.Takingmyseat
nextt ohim,Iputaspoonf ulofst ewonmy
plate,thenputsomesal adnextt othest ew.I
didn'tsayany t
hingt ohim,Ifiguredhewast oo
busyashehadn' tlookedupf rom hisphone
oncesi nceIent eredthediningroom.
Stabbingt hechickenwi thmyf orkIbegun
eating,mymi ndcomi ngupwi thone
explanationaftertheot heraboutthelady.I
t
wasconf usi
ngt hatthesepeopl ewouldgot o
suchl engthstohidet heexistenceofone
personandy ettheydi dnotgetridofallthe
evidence; i
twasl i
ket heywant edtoerasethis
personf rom thewor l
dbutt heycouldn't
.Butat
t
heendoftheday,
thequest
ionst
il
lremai
ned,
j
ustwhowasthatwoman?
Itwouldbewonder f
ulifhedeci
dedt ogoona
businesstr
iporsomething,Iwouldthenspend
thewholedayinthearchivesandtrytofind
somet hi
ngaboutthemy ster
ywomanby
readingsomeoneelsesjournal
s,becauseher
j
our nal
swereblank.Thereshoul
d'veatleast
beenaname, li
keinJulia'
sjour
nals,butnoher
j
our nal
swerebrandnew.
Whydon'tyougi
vethismyster
ygir
laname,you
can'
tcal
lherMyster
yWomani nthePort
rai
t
for
ever
.Mysubconscioussuggest
ed.
IagreedwithherbutwhatcouldIcallher.She
wasdel i
cateandlookedli
keoneoft hoseroyal
pri
ncesseswhodi dnothi
ngbutl ookedatshiny
j
ewel r
yallday.Shewasprett
y,though;may beI
coul
dnameheraf terafl
ower,i
twoul dbeeasier
.
"
Lit
tl
epeach.
..
"
May beIshouldcallherRose, becauseshewas
prett
yandwaswear i
ngapi nkgown; ormaybeI
shouldcallherDaisy,si
nceshel ookedso
deli
cate;ormaybeLi l
ywast heperfectnamef or
nowf orher,si
nceshel ookedsopur e.Yeah,
may beLilywasper f
ect.Iwouldcall herLi
lyunti
l
Ifoundoutherr ealname.
"
Lit
tl
edov
e..
."
Satisfi
edthatIhadgottenthenamef orthe
my sterygir
l,mymindswi t
chedtothemet al
gateont hesixt
hf l
oorstai
rcaseandt hekeypad.
Ineededt obesneakyaboutt hatkeypad,andI
neededt ofigur
eoutwhatt hepasscodewas,
butf i
rstIhadtocheckhowmanydi gitswere
neededi nordertounl
ockt hegate.
"
Ali
ce!
"
"Huh,
what?"Il
ookedatChri
swhowasgivi
ng
meast r
angelook."
Chr
is,
I'
m sor
rydi
dyousay
somethi
ng?"Idi
dnotwanthimtobesuspi
cious
ofmyact
ivi
ti
es.
"Yes,buti
tlooksl
ikeyou'r
eprecoccupi
edwi
th
somet hi
ng,i
severyt
hingokay?"Heaskedwi
tha
hintofconcerni
nhisv oi
ce.
Inoddedf r
ant i
call
y."Yes,
yes,ever ythi
ngisfi
ne,
Iwasj ust..
.thi
nkingabout..
.somet hingthatI
readint helibrar
y,"Itol
dhim.Iknewhewoul dn't
restuntilItoldhim whatIwast hinkingabout ,
andsi nceIcoul dn'tt
ellhi
mt heact ualreasonI
wasl ost,Idecidedt ogowi t
hthehal f-
tr
uth.
"
Oh?Whatdi
dyour
ead?
"Iknewhewasgoi
ng
t
oaskt
hat.
"
About..
.pl
ants.
..
theyaresofasci
nat
ing,don'
t
youthi
nk?"Icoul
dn'tbeli
eveIwasgoingtohave
aconversat
iononplants.
"
Iguessso."Hegavemeaqui zzi
call
ook."But
i
fpl
antsarewhathasyourmindsooccupied,
whydon'
tyouwrit
eaboutthem,"hesai
d.
Nowi
twasmyt
urnt
ogi
vehi
m aqui
zzi
cal
look.
"
What
?Whatdoy
oumean?
"

Heshrugged."
It
'ssortofa.
..Pal
mer
t
hing.
..
every
bodyinthefamilywri
tes.
"
"Wr
it
e,l
ikeajournal
?"Sowr
it
ingwasatradi
ti
on,
nowonderevery
bodyhadshelv
esful
lof
j
our
nalshere.
Henodded."Exact
lythat
,everymemberoft
he
f
ami l
ypensdownhi sorherthought
sina
j
ournal,
Isuggestyoushoul
ddot hesame
t
hing,
"hetoldme.
"But
,I'
m notexact
lyf
amily,
I'
m onl
yherefora
year
..
."It
rai
ledoff
,notknowingwhatel
seto
say.
"You'r
ef amil
yfornow."Cameanewv oice.I
turnedmyheadt oseeBr ent
on,
hisyoungest
brother,ent
eri
ngthediningroom.Ihadn'tseen
him sinceourwedding,Iwonderedwherehe
was.
"
Howmuchoft
hatdi
dyouhear
?"Ienqui
red.
"EnoughtoknowthatIagr eewi t
hmybr ot
her.
"
Brentontookaseatacrossf r
om menextt o
Chris."
Chri
s,whydon'tyouor derajour
nalfor
her,Iguessasmallone,"Brentonsaid.
"Asmallone?
"Di
dt hej
ournal
scomei
nsi
zes?
TheonesIsawinthearchi
veswer
ebi
gand
thi
ckones.
"Yeah, onewith365pages, si
ncet hecont racti
s
onlyforay ear,"Brentoni nfor
medme.These
peoplewer esomat ter-of-f
actitwascr azy.
Theyt alkedinf act
s,li
ket hecont r
actsandf acts
wereseti nstoneandnot hingcouldchange
them.Li ke,i
fmycont ractwi t
hChr iswasf ora
year,thennothi ngcouldchanget hat.Butal ot
ofthingscoul dchanget hat.IfIdi
edi nt henext
coupleofmont hs,thent heycont r
actwoul dbe
over,ifIwasunabl et ogi vehim anhei rthenthe
contractwoul dbet ermi natedbeforeay ear.
..
so
manypossi bi
li
ties.
"I
'
llcal
l t
hepapercompanyinacoupleofhours
andgivet hem t
heordert
ohav
ethejournal
deli
veredbytomorrowsoshecanstartwri
ti
ng,
"
Chrissaid.
"Wait
,Idon'twantt owr i
te,mystuffispersonal
,
whatifsomebodyr eadit?"I
fChri
si nsi
stedon
mewr it
ing,thenIwoul dmakesur enottowr it
e
aboutLil
y,Icouldn'ttr
ustthepeopleinthis
cast
le,especial
lythatoldhag,Helga.
"
Don'tworry,thejournalwouldhavealockoni t
.
Andifitdi
dn't,Iassureyouthatnoonei sgoing
toreadyourjournal,notmenotany oneelse,i
t'
s
yourjour
nalandonl yy ouaregoi
ngt ohavethe
ri
ghttoseeit,
"Chr i
sr epl
ied.
"
Oh,
whati
fIst
il
ldon'
twantt
owr
it
e?"Iquer
ied.
"Youdon'
thaveachoice,
youar eaPalmernow,
evenify
ou'
rejustatemporaryPalmeryoust
ill
areaPalmerandit
'safamilythi
ng,soI'
m af
raid
youaregoi
ngtohav etowri
te,evenify
oudon't
wantt
o,"Br
ent
oni
nfor
medme.
"Ar
eyouokaywi t
hastandardhardbackj
ournal
orwouldyouli
keacustomizedone?"Chr
is
quest
ioned.
Ishr
ugged."I'
m okaywithwhat
ever
,Ij
usthave
towri
teinit,
Idon'tcar
eaboutthel
ookofthe
j
ournal
,"Ianswered.
Nothingmuchwassai dafterthat.Chrisand
Brentondiscussedbusi nesswhi l
eIf i
nishedmy
l
unch.Thet houghtofwr i
ti
ngaj ournal mademe
feelki
ndofner vous,Ididn'tknowwhy .Inever
writ
teninadi ar
ybef ore,sowr i
ti
ngdownmy
thoughtsandsecr etswasal ientome, si
nceI
wasusedt omulli
ngt hingsinmymi ndwhet her
goodorbad, Ididn'tknowi fwrit
ingwasagood
thi
ngorabadone.
OnceIwasfi
nishedeati
ng,
Iexcusedmyself
fr
om Chri
sandBrenton,
eagert
ogot omyroom
andthi
nkmoreaboutLil
yandthepasscodeand
t
hepr
ospectofmewr
it
ingi
naj
our
nal
.
AssoonasIexi tedthedini
ngr oom, Ihear
d
theirv
oiceloudandcl ear.Curious,
Idecidedto
l
isteninont heirconver
sation.Ihadnoi nt
ent
ion
toeavesdrop, butmycuriositygotthebestof
me.
"Whyist her
eagat eonthesi
xthf
loor
stai
rcase?"Brent
onaskedChri
s.
"Ali
ceaccidental
lywentupthere,
soIhada
gateinst
alledincaseshedecidedtogoup
thereagai
n, "Chr
istol
dhim.
"Well
howam Isupposet
ogoupther
eandsee
hernow?
"Br
entonquesti
oned.
Whatthehell
?Brentonwasal
l
owedtogoup
ther
eandIwasn't.Andwhodi
dhewanttosee?
Lil
yinthepi
ctur
e?Hewantedtogoupther
e
andlookataportrai
t?
"I
'
llgiveyouthepasscode,
justuseitandgosee
her,butdoitwhenAlicei
snotthere,shei
sa
cur
iousoneandIdon'
twanthert
angl
edin
somethi
ngthati
sofnoconcernt
oher,
"Chri
s
sai
d.
Thatwasnotf ai
r,Brentongotthepasscode
andIdidn'
t.Ohplease, God,
pleasel etChri
sy el
l
outthepasscodesoIcoul dgeti t,pl
ease.And
whowashet odecidewhatwasmyconcer n
andwhatwasn' t
.Imi ghtbehiswi feforay ear
butthatdi
dnotmeanhehadsor tofat er
ri
tori
al
ri
ghtoverme, Iwasmyownper son;Idecided
whatIwouldandwoul dn'
tconcer nmy sel
fwi t
h.
"Youdoknowi t
'sonl
yamonthaway ,
"Br
ent
on
saidtoChr i
s.If
rownedi
nconfusi
on.Whatwas
amont haway ?Brent
on'
sbir
thday?Thei
r
father'
sbir
thday?Somebody
'sdeath
anniversar
y?
"Iknow,we'
l
lgotot
hecemetarytoget
her
,"Chr
is
said.Soi
twassomebody
'sdeathanni
ver
sary,
butwhose?
"
Sur
e,let
'sgoandworkont
hatcontract
,I'
l
lcall
mycl
ientandsetupameet
ing,
"Brentonsaid.
Thescr apingsoundofchairsbeingpushed
backwasmycuet ol
eave.Takingthest
air
stwo
atatime, Ireachedmybedr oom innoti
me.
Closi
ngt hedoorbehi ndme, It
ookadeep
breat
h, mymi ndajumbledmess.Thisfamil
y
hadal otofsecr et
s.
AndIi
ntendedt
ouncov
eral
loft
hem.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t13<3
.
.
.

"
Hey
,ar
eyouokay
?"IaskedChr
is,
closi
ngt
he
doort
oourbedroom.Hewassitt
ingont
hebed,
hi
sbackagainstt
heheadboar
d,wit
hatr
oubl
ed
l
ookonhisface.
"Yes,I'
mf i
ne,thankyou,"herepl
ied,butIcould
tel
lfrom thedismal l
ookonhi sfacethathewas
anythingbutfine,Iwonderedwhatwaswr ong.
Heseemedper f
ectl
yfineyester
daywi t
h
Brenton,buttodayhewasact ingallquietand
seri
ous.
He'sal
waysquietandser
ious,
my
subconsci
ousstat
ed.
Idisagr eed.Hewasqui etandserious,yes,
but
notliket his.Andhalftheti
me, helaughedand
madej okes.Ri ghtnow,helooked.
..sad,
and
thatdi dnotsi twellwi
thme.Whywasheupset ?
Wasi tsomet hingtodowi t
ht hepersonwhose
deathanni versarywascomi ngup?Orwasi t
somet hingelse?
Get
ti
ngont
hebed,
Icr
awl
edov
ert
ohi
m and
satfaci
nghim.Taki
nghishandinmind,Igaveit
asoftsqueezetogethi
satt
enti
on.Whenhe
l
ookedatme, IknewIhadsucceededi
nget t
ing
hisatt
enti
on.
"Therei
ssomet
hingbot
her
ingy
ou,
Icanf
eel
it,
"
Isaid.
"
It
'snot
hing,
"hemut
ter
ed.
"
Youwantt
ot el
lmewhat
'sbot
heri
ngy
ou?
"I
r
ubbedmythumboverhi
shand.
"Andwhywoul
dIwanttotel
lyou?
"Hewas
acti
ngl
iket
hatChr
is,
theonewhocal
ledmea
whore.
"
Because.
..
Iam y
ourt
empor
arywi
fe,
"Ist
ated.
"Yeah,youaretemporar
ynotpermanent,
ify
ou
weremyr ealandpermanentwif
eImight
considert
ell
i
ngy ou,
butnotnow,"heanswered.
"Sot
herei
ssomet
hingbot
her
ingy
ou,
"I
conf
ir
med.
"I
fIsayyeswil
l y
ouleavemeal one?"Wow,
whateverwasbotheri
nghim wasserious,
he
neverspoket
omel i
kethi
sinalltheti
mewe
hadbeenmar r
ied,whichhadbeenaboutthree
weeks.
"No,Imadeav owinf
rontofGodtost aywi t
h
youdur ingthegoodandbadt i
mes, Idon'tpl
an
ongoi ngbackonmywor d,"It
oldhim,scooting
closertohim, unti
lmyfacewasaf ewi nches
awayf rom him.
"Yeah,wel
li
t'
safakemar r
iage,
sot hev
owsyou
madedon'tmatt
er,getoutofhere,
"hesai
d
blunt
ly.
Myhear tclenchedathearinghiswords.Hewas
bei
ngsor ude,whatwast hemat t
er.ButIwasn't
goingtoleave.NotonlyhadImadeav owt o
sti
ckwi t
hhi mt hr
oughthickandt hi
ninfrontof
God, hewasal sopayi
ngmeonemi ll
ionpounds
i
nor dertobeagoodwi fetohim, andIwas
goingtomakehi smoneywor th.Iwouldnot
makehi
mfeel
asi
fhehadwast
edhi
smoney
onme.
"Thi
smarriagemi ghtbefake,butt
hevowsI
madewer ereal,
I'
m notleavingyouwhenyou
aredi
str
essed,"Itoldhi
mf ir
ml y
.
"Wel
lIguesst henyou'l
lj
usthavetowast
eyour
ti
mesi t
ti
ngher ebecauseI'
m nottel
l
ingy
ou
anyt
hing,"hestat
ed,tur
ninghisheadtol
ookout
thewindow.
Wi t
houtsay ingany thi
ngIrest edmyheadonhi s
chestandwoundanar oundhi swai st.Hemi ght
bet ell
ingmet oleavehim alone,butIknewhe
didn'twantt hat;
ormay behedi d,Iwasn' tsure
becauseIdi dn'tknowhi mt hatwel l
, but
what everitwasIwasn' tgoingt oleav ehim.I
knewwhati twasl i
kebeingal one,wi t
hnoone
totalkt o,noonet ohug.IhadNi cobuthewas
akid, andasi ckkid.Icouldn'ttal
ktohi m about
myf i
nancialproblemsoranypr oblem f orthat
mat ter,soIknewhowi tfeltli
kebei ngut ter
ly
al
one.AndevenifChri
sdidnottell
mewhat
wasbother
inghi
m, atl
easthewoul dknowt hat
hehadmebyhi sside,
hewouldn'tfeelal
one.
"Don'tt
ouchme.
"Het
ri
edt
opushmeaway
,but
Iheldontohi
m.
"Youaremyhusband,Ihav
et her
ightt
ot ouch
you.
..f
orayearIhavet
heri
ghttotouchyou, y
ou
can'
tsteal
myr i
ghtsawayfr
om mewheny ou
aretheonewhogav et
hem tome,"Ist
ated.

"Youknow,wi
thyoubl
abber
ingonaboutt
his
marri
age,I
'
m st
arti
ngt
oregr
etmarryi
ngyou,
"
hesnapped.
Calm down, i
t'
snothi mtalking,
it'
sthatnegat
ive
emot i
onthat'
srulinghismi ndatthemoment
that
'ssayingallsortsofnonsense.Hedoesn't
meani t,
hedoesn' t.
"
Well
,youmadeami st
ake,
nowy oumustdeal
wi
thi
t,
"Iteased,
try
ingbybestnottoget
af
fect
edbyhi
swor
ds.
"
Remi
ndmeagai
nwhyImar
ri
edy
ou?
"
"Iwouldlovetotell
youwhyyoumar r
iedme,
except.
..
youhav en'
tev
entol
dmewhyy ou
mar r
iedme, despi
temeconstantl
yaski
ngyou,
"
Iresponded,tr
yingmybestt
ost ayst
rong.
"
Shutup,
"hesnapped.
Isi
gheddeeply,
tryi
ngtomai ntainmy
composure."
Chris,
ifyoucan'ttellmewhat'
s
bot
heri
ngy ouasawi f
e, t
henmay beyoucantel
l
mewhat'swrongasaf r
iend?"Isuggest
ed.
Hescoff
ed."Fr
iend?Doy
ouev
enknowhowt
o
beafri
end?"
"
Yes,
"Ianswer
ed.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
younev
erhadanyf
ri
ends,how
woul
dyouknowhowtobeone,
"hesnar
led.
"
Iknowhowtobeaf r
iend,
it'
sjustInev
erhad
t
imetomakefr
iendswhenIwasi nhighschool
,
butIknowhowtobeaf ri
end,"It
oldhi
m soft
ly,
myheadstil
lonhischestandmyar m st
il
l
aroundhi
swaist
.
"Fri
endsknowwhent
heot
herwant
stobel
eft
alone,
"hestat
ed.
"Fr
iendsalsoneverl
eavet
hei
rfr
iendsalone,
especial
l
yduringthebadt
imes,
"Iargued.
"
Friendsknowwhent
heot
herdoesn'
twantt
o
t
alk,"hesai
d.
"Fr
iendsalsot
alktoeachot
herbecauset
alki
ng
hel
ps,"Icount
ered.
"
Fri
endsknowwhent
oshutup,
"hrsnapped.
"
Fri
endsalsoknowwhent opushthei
rfr
iends
i
ntotel
l
ingthem st
uff
,"Ist
ated.
"
Idon'
thav
efr
iends,
"hesai
d.
"
Icanbeyourfri
end.I'
l
lli
stentoyouwithout
j
udgment;
I'
ll
trymybestt ofindsol
uti
onsfor
y
ourprobl
ems;I'
llst
aywithyounomat terwhat
;
andwhent hisyearendsandt hecontracti
s
over
,andy oumar ryt
hegirlthat'
sri
ghtforyou,
I'
l
lbey ourfr
iendandsuppor tyouinyour
deci
sions;Iwon'tj
ustbey ourfri
endforayear,
I'
l
lbey ourfr
iendforl
if
e,"Itoldhi
m withutmost
si
ncerity
.
"Thosearedi
ffi
cultpr
omi sesyouaremaking,
yousureyou'
dbeabl etohandl ei
tal
l?
"He
didn'
tknowthatIhaddeal twit
hfarworse,
butI
wasn'tgoi
ngtotellhi
mt hat,agoodwifenever
burdenedherhusband.
"Ipr
omi sey ou,
Chr
is,
Iwoul
dneverbr
eakthese
promises,"Itol
dhi
m whi
lel
ooki
nginhisey
es.
"Yougotabi
gmout
hforsomeonesosmal
l
,"he
commented.
"
Sizedoesnotmat
ter
,"Icount
ered.
Hesi
ghedt henfel
lsi
l
ent.Iputmyheadbackt
o
i
tsor
iginalpl
ace,
onhischest.I
twasokayi
fhe
di
dn'
ttellmewhathadhimi nsuchamood,at
l
eastnowheknewt
hathehadaf
ri
end.
..
me.
"I
t'
s.
..
mymot her,
it'
sherdeathanniv
ersarynext
month,"
hestat
ed.Hisvoi
ceheldsomuch
sadnessanddespair
,Ii
nvolunt
ari
lyti
ghtedmy
gri
ponhi m.
"
I'
m sorr
y,Chri
s,woul
dyoul
i
ket
otal
kabout
i
t.
..
abouther?
"Iqueri
ed.
"Shewast hemostamazi ngwomanIknew. "Hi
s
l
ipscurvedinasadsmi l
e."Shehadt hemost
beauti
fulsmileandtheki ndestheart.Shetri
ed
herbesttomakesur eev eryonewassmi li
ng,
therewasnev erasadmomentwhenshewas
around.Shemadeal l ofusf eell
ikewewer eher
favori
techil
d,butthet r
uthwas, shelovedusall
equall
y.Andwhenshedi dn'tsmil
e,Ifel
tasif
thesunhadn'trisen,
"hetol dme.

"
Shesoundsli
keanamazingwoman,
"It
oldhim
t
rut
hful
l
y.Ii
maginedabeauti
ful
womanwith
gorgeousseagr eeneyesandshiny,goldenhai
r
thathadthemostbeaut i
fulcur
ls.I
nmymi nd,
hismotherlookedlikeaqueen,beauti
fuland
royal
.
"Hmm shewas, It
houghtIwouldnev
erloseher
,
Ithoughtshewouldneverl
eaveme..
.butshe
did.
"hemur mur
edthelastpar
t.
Irubbedhischesti
nasoothi
ngmanner."
Would
youliket
ot el
lmewhathappenedt
oher?"Iwas
notgoingtoforceGi
deontotel
lmesomethi
ng
whichwasal r
eadyapainf
ult
hingf
orhi
m asit
was.
"She.
..
goti
nan..
.acci
dent
,someyear
sago."
Thatwasallhesaid,
andIwasokaywit
hthat
.
"
I'
m sor
ryt
ohearthat
,itmustbediff
icul
tfor
y
out ov
isi
theri
nthecemetary
,"Isai
d.
Henoddedl
ookingfor
lorn."
Yes,Igowithmy
brot
her
sbecauseIdon'thav
et hest
rengtht
ogo
ther
eal
one,t
ofaceherl i
ket
his."
heeyedthe
cei
l
ingwi t
hbi
tter
ness."
Youmustt hi
nkwhata
pat
hetic,
weakmanIam; whorunsa
muli
tnati
onal
businessyethecan'
tevenv
isi
thi
s
ownmot heri
nhergravealone.
"
"No, that'
snotwhatIt hink.Ithi
nkyouar eav er
y
strongman, whodespi tesuffer
ingfrom sucha
greatl ossst i
llmanagest or unsucha
successf ulbusi ness.I
fitwer esomeoneel se
i
nst eadofy ou,andl ov
edt heirmotherli
key ou
didy ours,theywoul d'vesuccumbedt o
depr essionandt hei
rbusinesswoul dhavegone
downt hedr ain,
"Itoldhim.
"Reall
y,y
outhi
nkthat
?"Hequest
ioned,hi
seyes
searchi
ngmyfaceforanysi
gnofdecietor
fabri
cati
on.
"Yes,Ireal
lydo.
"Imadesur etoconveymy
sincerei
tyandhonestywithmyeyes.Irai
sed
myheadandki ssedhischeek.
"
Thet
hingi
s..
.Iwantt
ovi
si
thergr
ave,
li
ker
ight
now,butIcan't
..
.Ican'
tfi
ndthest
rengt
htogo
andseeherrightnow,"hetol
dme.
"Wherei
shergrav
e?"Iwasafr
aidImi
ght'
ve
askedasensi
ti
vequest
ion,
butIwasgl
adIwas
wrong.
"
It
'sher
e,ont
heest
ategr
ounds,
"heanswer
ed.
"
Ify
ouwant
..
.Icancomewi
thy
ou,
"Iof
fer
ed.
Hegav emeastrangel
ook;alookthatsaidthat
hewasunsurewhetherIact
uall
ymeantwhatI
sai
dornot.Iki
ssedhiminresponse,assur
ing
himthatImeantwhatIsai
d.
"
You'
dreal
l
ygowi
thme?
"Heasked.
"Yes,
Iwantt
omeetthewomanwhorai
sed
suchafi
neman,
"Isaidwi
thasmi
le.
"Sheisbur
ied,
youcan'
tex
act
lyseeher
,"he
stat
ed.
"YouknowwhatImean.
"Ipl
ayf
ull
ypunchedhi
s
chest
.
Hechuckl ed,asoundwhi
chhadmesi ghi
ngin
rel
i
ef .Fi
nall
y,hewassmil
ing,
Ihadmadehi m
smile.Myhear tf
lut
ter
edi
nhappinesswhenI
sawhi m smili
ng.
"Okay,
let
'sgothen,
"hest
ated,det
angl
ing
himsel
ffrom meandjumpingoutofbed.
"
Wait
,ri
ghtnow?"Il
ookedatt
hecl
ockt
oseei
t
was6:
00intheeveni
ng.
"Yes,unl
essyoudon'
twanttogo.
..
"Helooked
unsureforamoment,butIwasn'
tgoi
ngto
disappoi
nthi
m.
"No,Ido,letmegetmyshoes. "Ihoppedoutof
bedandj oggedinsi
dethewalk-incloset.
Grabbingapairofblacksli
ppers,Isli
ppedthem
onthenexi t
edtheclosetandjoinedhim.
"
I'
mready."Hetookmyhandandl
edmeoutof
t
hebedroom t
owardst
hecemetar
y.
.
Iwasst artingtor egretmydeci si
onofcomi ng
tothecemet ar
yint heevening.Iwassoexci ted
earl
ier,butnow, allt
hatexcitementhadwel land
tr
ulydeser tedmeast houghtsofwander i
ng
spir
itsfil
ledmymi nd.Thecemet arywasn't
exactlymyf avorit
eplaceasmypar entswere
currentl
yr esidi
ngi nacemet ar
yaswel l
,butI
agreedt ot hi
sbecauseofChr i
sandIwant edt o
meethi smot her.Ifonlyhehaddeci dedtovisit
hismot heri nthemor ni
ng.
I
twasawf ul
lysil
entexceptf ortherustl
ingof
theleaves;t
hecr i
cketswer equietaswel l,
whichwasst rangeast heywer ealwaysmaki ng
noise.Thesunhadnear l
yset ,
castingan
orangepurpleglow.Thet reeswer ehuge, thei
r
foundati
onsol i
d.Coldbreezewascar essing
ourskin,andIwassur emynosewast urni
ng
pink.
Hewassil
entnexttome,j
ustwal
ki
ngf
urt
her
andf
urt
herinthefor
est
,hi
sgri
ponmyhand
neverl
ooseni
ng.Ihel
dontohishandt
ight
ly,
notwanti
ngtoletgoandgetl
osti
nthi
sdark
for
est.
Finall
y,aft
erfi
ft
eenmi nutesofwal kingon
muddy ,
sli
ghtl
yunev enl and,weexitedt he
forestandenteredwhatIwassur ewast he
Palmercemet ary.Therewer ehundr edsof
tombst ones,
alll
inedhor i
zontall
yandgoi ngall
thewayback.Al lthegr aveswer eneat ,not
hing
l
ookedoutofpl ace,justwhi t
et ombst ones
standingonlushgr eengr ass.
Withoutaword,
Chr istookmetotheleftsideof
thecemetary
.Hedi dn'
tstopt
ointroducemet o
anyofhisdeadrelati
vesandancestors,
just
keptwalki
ngstr
aightahead.
Aft
eranothertenmi nut es,Hefinal
lystoppedin
fr
ontofalarget ombst one.Thet ombst onewas
notroundatthet opbutf lat,
li
kear ectangl
e.
Theinkonthet ombst onel ookedfresh.The
wordsonthet ombst onewer ei
nscribedwi t
h
bl
acki
nk.
Ter
esaRosePal
mer
1962-
2006
Bel
ovedmot
herandwi
fe
"
Thi
sismymot
her
,Ter
esa,
"hesai
d.
"Wouldyoul
i
kemet
ogi
vey
ousomepr
ivacy
?"I
asked.
"Uh,canyoust
andoverther
e?"Hegest
uredt
oa
spacewhichwasfi
vefeetawayfr
om wherewe
werestandi
ng.
"Sur
e."Ismil
edandgav
ehisarm asqueeze."
I'
ll
behereifyouneedme.
"Iwenttowherehe
i
nstruct
edme.
Iwasgl adhedidn'
tsendmef araway ,
Ididn'
t
thi
nkIwoul d'
vesurvi
vedroami ngarounda
cemet aryi
nthedark.Tr
yingnott oletmymi nd
worryaboutthedeadbodi essurroundingme,I
focusedmyat tent
iononmyhusband.
Heknel ti
nfrontofthegravestone,notcar
ing
thathispantswouldgetdirty
.If el
thi
slips
mov i
ngbutcoul dn'
thearwhathewassay ing.
Raisi
nghishand, Hecaressedt heground,a
l
onet earescapinghiseye.
Myhear tcrackedatseei nghiml i
kethi
s.The
manl ookedunt oucabl
et othewor l
d,andy et
herehewas, kneeli
nginf r
ontofhismother '
s
grave,l
ower i
nghi sguard,cryi
ngforhismot her
whowasnol ongerhere.DespitewhatIread
aboutChr i
sPal merbei ngruthl
essandsav age,
Iknewt hathewasnot hingli
kehowt hewor ld
port
rayedhi m.Hewaski nd,hewasgener ous,
andmostofal l.
..
hewashuman.
Afterquit
esomet ime,Hestoodupandt ur
ned
hisheadt ol
ookatme.Igav ehim awarm,
reassuri
ngsmile.Heheldouthishandformet o
take,whichIdi
daf tert
wosecondsofhesitati
on.
Hebr oughtmef acetofacewit
hthegravestone,
andwhenhesmi l
edwhilel
ooki
ngatthewhi te
mar
ble,
Ifel
tli
keIwasi
ntr
udi
ng.
"Mum, thi
sisAlice,mywife,
"hesaid."Sheis
pregnant,wearegoingtohav eababysoon, I
wishyouwer eher etoseeandholdy our
grandchil
dren,
"hespoket othegr
av estone.
"I
'
m sureshecanseehergr andchil
drenfr
om
heav
en,andI'm sureourbabywouldhavea
guar
dianangel.
"Ilookedatthegravest
one
whenIsaidthelastpart
.
However,Hi
snextwordsmademyhear
tsoar;
whenhelookedatthemarbl
esl
abandut
ter
ed
thewordsIdi
dn'
tknowIhadbeenl
ongi
ngto
hear
.
"
Shei
sal
somyf
ri
end,
myonl
yfr
iend.
"
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t14<3
.
.
.
"
You'
rener
vous,
"Chr
iscomment
ed,
maki
ngme
j
ump.
"No,
I.
..
I'
mfi
ne,"Il
i
ed,myhearthammer
ing
agai
nstmychestthecl
oserwegott
hehospi
tal
.
"Youarefi
ddl
ingwi
thyourneckl
ace,
andyour
shoelacesar
esti
ll
loose.
"Chri
sobserv
ed.
"
Ipl
aywit
hmynecklaceal
lthet
ime,
"Isai
d,
t
ryi
ngt
ocovermyl
ie.
Heshookhishead."No,youonlytouchyour
neckl
acewheny ou'r
enervous.Bytheway,y
ou
shoul
dn'tt
wistt
hechainsomuch, t
heneckl
ace
i
sold,thechai
nmi ghtbr
eak,"hetol
dme.
"I
t'
sast r
ongchain.
..
justl
i
kemybrother
."I
smiledsadl
y,butdi
dn'tst
opt
wist
ingthechai
n
aroundmyfinger.
I
ttookmebysur
pri
sewhenChr
ist
ookmyhand
i
nhis.Calm spreadthroughmewhenIf elthow
warm hishandwas.Il i
kedwarm hands,t
hey
gavemecomf ortl
ikenoother
.Iwishedthat
oncethi
sy earwasov erandIwouldlookfora
husband,hewoul dhavewarm handstoo.
"
Tel
lmewhat
'sbot
her
ingy
ou,
"hepr
ompt
ed.
Shaki
ngmyheadIsmi
l
ed."Not
hingChr
is,
nothi
ngi
sbot
heri
ngme,I
'
mf i
ne,
"Ifi
bbedagai
n.
"
Ift
herewasnothingbotheri
ngyou,t
henyou
woul
dn'tbesi
tt
ingli
kethis,
"Heargued.
"
Sit
ti
ngl
i
kewhat
?"Iquer
ied.
"St
if
f..
.t
aut
..
.l
ikeabowreadytoshootthearr
ow;
socomeon, tel
lmewhat '
sonyourmind,l
i
ttl
e
peach,
"hestated,
rubbi
ngmyhand.
"
It
'snot
hing,don'
twor
ryabouti
t.Byt
heway
,
t
hankyou,"Isai
dtohi
m.
"
Thanksf
orwhat
?"Hequest
ioned.
"
Forev
ery
thi
ng,
get
ti
ngt
hedoct
ors'
appoi nt
ments,cancel
l
ingy ourmeetingsand
all
...
itmeansal ott
omet haty ouwouldgo
throughsomucht r
oubleforastranger,so
thanky ou,
"Itol
dhim.
"Thi
sstr
angerisnotast
ranger.
"Hefl
ickedmy
nose."
Thisst
rangeri
smywi fe.
..
andmyf r
iend,
"
hestat
ed.
Myheartbl
oomedwithhappi
nessuponhear
ing
hi
m call
i
ngmehiswifeandfri
end.I
twasthe
fi
rstt
imehehadn'
tusedtheword
tempor arybef or ethewor dwife,andhim call
ing
meaf ri
endhadmedoi ngahappydancei nmy
mind.Howev er,Ipreventedmyhear tfrom
feeli
ngbl i
ssful .Eventhoughhi swor dsmade
myhear tflut
ter ,whichresult
edi nmef al
li
ng
j
ustal itt
lebitf ormyt empor aryhusband, It
ri
ed
mybestnott ol ethiswor dsfazeme.Ihadt o
becar efularoundhi m,heknewexact l
ywhatt o
doandsayt omakemehappy ,andIcouldn'
t
affor
dt of all
f orhim; i
twoul donlyendi n
di
sast
er.
"I
'mfine,real
ly,
"Irepeated.Iwasnotgoingto
tel
lhim whatwaswor ryi
ngme, Iwasjustnot
comf or
table.Hehadal readygonethr
oughso
mucht roubleforme, Iwasnotgoingtoburden
him wit
hmypr obl
ems.Iwasnotusedt oit,
and
didnotplant ogetusedt oshari
ngmypr oblems
withanyoneany ti
mesoon.
Allofasudden,heleftmyhandandt urnedhis
headawayt olookoutthewindow.Thel ossof
contacthadmef eel
ingcold,whi
chwasst range
becauseitneverhappenedthatIwouldmi ss
thewarmt hsomeone'shandsbroughtme.
"
Chr
is,
what
'swr
ong?
"Iasked,
wor
ri
edl
y.
"
Nothingi
swrong,whywoul
dany
thi
ngbe
wrong,
"hesnapped.
Itr
iedtomakehi
mlookatme, butheonly
shruggedmeoff
,hi
sfacestil
lturnedawayfr
om
me.Remov i
ngmyseatbel
t,Icr
awl edonhisl
ap,
whicht
ookhi
m bysurpr
ise.Wr
appi
ngmyarms
ar
oundhiswai
st,
Ilai
dmyheadonhischest
.
"
Tellmewhat '
swrong,
didIdosomet hi
ng
wrong?"Ii
nhal
edhisri
chscent,
whi chbrought
myhear tf
rom hammeri
ngtothrobbingagainst
myr i
bcage.
Iwasr ightwhenIsai dy ou'llmakeahor r
ibl
e
fri
end,"hest ated.Frowni ng, Il
ookedupathi m.
"Whatdoy oumean? "Iwasnowwor ri
ed;I
want edt obeagoodf r
iendt ohim, sohim
say i
ngt hatIwasabadf riendmademef eel
hor r
ibl
e."Yousai dfriendst alkaboutstuff
becauset alkinghelps; Italkedtoyouaboutmy
stuffandwhatwasbot her i
ngmeandnowy ou
arenotdoi ngt hesame. .
.youar eahypocrit
e,"he
compl ained.Isi ghedbef orelayi
ngmyheadon
hischest ."I'
mj ustnotusedt otal
kingaboutmy
problemswi thanyone,"It oldhim."Andyou
thinkIam.Ihadnev erconf i
dedinanyoneinmy
l
ife,exceptf ormymum; youwer ethesecond
personwhoIhadt alkedt oaboutmypr oblems
andy ouar etheonl yonewhoknowshowIf eel
whenv i
si t
ingmymot her'sgr av ealone, andy ou
arenotshowi ngmet hesamecour teasy ,that's
notfair,Alice,"heshotback.Gui l
tst abbedmy
heart."I
'm sor ry.
..
I'l
l t
ryt ot el
l youaboutmy
problems, butitwon' tbeeasyf orme, andI
don'twantt obur deny ouwi t
hmypr obl ems.
Youhav egi venmesomuch, youof fer ingy our
compani onshi pisjustt oomuch, youshoul dn't
besoni cet ome, "Isai d." Yousai dy ouar emy
fri
endf orlife,well thatmeansIam y ourf r
iend
too,sot ellmewhat 'sgoi ngon, "hepr odded.
"I
t'
ssi l
ly,noneedt ogety our selftangl edi nmy
mess. "Isighed." Iwi lltellyouonemor et i
met o
tel
lmewhat '
sgoi ngon, i
fy oudon' tt heny ou
canf orgett hatwear ef ri
ends, "hest at ed."Okay
fi
ne, I
'mj ustner vousaboutwhatt hedoct ors
woul dsayr egardingNi co'ssur ger y.Al lmyl i
feI
hadpr ay edt oGodf ort hisday ,thedaymy
brotherwoul dhav ehi ssur geryandbeper fectl
y
fi
ne,andnowt hati t'
sher e,Iam t errifi
ed...what
i
fsomet hinggoeswr ong.Ican' tl i
vewi thout
Nico,hei smyonl yfami l
y; I
'
ddi ei fsomet hing
happenedt ohim, "Isai d,tearspr ickingmyey es.
Butoncet hewor dswer eout ,Ifeltrelaxed; the
ti
ghteningi nmychestwasnomor e."Litt
lef air
y,
beli
evemewhenIt ellyout hatIwi l
lmakesur e
thatyourbr ot
herget shi ssur ger yandl iveshi s
l
ifeli
keanor mal teny earold.Not hingisgoi ng
tohappent oNi co, Ipromi sey ou,"hest ated.
"Yousaidt hatt hedoct orswear emeet ingar e
thebest, r
ight?""Yes. ""Butt hen, theywoul dask
foralotofmoneyi nor dertoper form sur gery
onmybr ot her,Ionlyhav ef if
tyt housand
pounds...woul dthatbeenough? "Iasked." We' l
l
knowwhenwe' ll
meett hedoct ors,"he
answered.
.
Itr
iedtot
iemyshoelacesbutmytrembl
ing
fi
ngersmadei
tdif
fi
cultformetodoso.Taki
ng
adeepbr eath,It r
iedt ost eadymyhear tbeat
andmyf ingers, butt het hought sswi rli
ngi nmy
mi ndmadei tnear lyi mpossi bleformet ocal m
down.Chr i
swasgoi ngt obeher eanymi nut e,
andi fhesawt hatIwasn' treadyhewoul dnot
l
ikei t;hehadal readycancel l
edhi smeet i
ngsf or
thedayf ormeandi fIwast edanymor et imeI
shoul dj ustj umpof facl iff."Your eadyt ogo,
l
ittl
edov e?"Heent eredt hebedr oom, slippi ng
hishandsi nhi spocket s." Yes,I'
mr eady ,let's
go,"Ir epl i
ed, prayingwi thal l mymi ghtt hathe
doesnotseet hel oosel acesofmyshoes.But
whenhel ower edhi sgazet omyf eet,Icur sed
myl uck." Youhav en' ttiedy ourshoel aces. "He
obser v
ed." Yes, buti tdoesn' tmat ter,we' re
goingt obel ate...
I'
lltiet hem i nthecar .
"Iadded
thel astpar twhenIsawt hathedi dnotl ook
conv i
ncedofmyexpl anat ion."Okay ,let'
sgo. "
Tur ningar ound, hest rodeoutofourbedr oom, I
sighedandf oll
owedaf t
erhi m,myhear tst il
l
drummi ngagai nstmychesti nanxi ety.Iwas
try
ingsohar dt ocalm downandnott omakei t
soundl ikeabi gdeal, buti twasabi gdeal ,andI
couldn'tdoany t
hingabouti t.Chr i
sandIwer e
goingt ov isitthet wocar diologi ststoday ,in
whichI '
dpi ckonet oper f
or m onmybr other.
AndIwassoner vousabouti t,thatIbar elyhad
anybr eakf ast .Ijustcoul dn'tbel ievet hat
somet hingIhadbeeny earningf orall myl ife
wasf inallyi nmyr each, andt hatwassomet hing
thatbot hexci tedandy etscar edme.Iwas
excit
edt hatmybr otherwasgoi ngt obeal lr
ight
now, andwoul dgot oschool andpl aywi thkids
hisownage, butIwasscar edt hatImi ghtlose
him,ort hesur gerymi ghtnotgor i
ght .Assoon
asChr isandIr eachedt hecar ,If r
ownedwhenI
sawanol derl ookingdr i
ver ,withsi l
v erhai rand
paleski n.Wher ewasBer nard?Hewasour
usual driver.Thedr iveropenedt hedoor
all
owingchr isandIt oset tleinsi de.Oncet he
doorcl osed, Iallowedmy selft oaskhi m about
Bernard." Wher ei sBer nard? "Iquest ioned." I
haveassi gnedhi mt oot herdut ies,hewi llnow
takemet owor kandbr ingmehome, "her eplied,
hisey essuddenl yt ur ninghar d." Why ?Whydi d
youdot hat ?"Ienqui red."Idon' twantBer nar d
aroundy ou, oncewasmor et hanenough. "He
grit
tedout ."Why ?What 'swr ongwi thBer nar d
beingar oundme? "Iquer i
ed.Hej ustgl aredat
mei nr etur n."Idon' ttrusty ouar oundhi m, you
are..
.unpr edictable,"hemut tered.Conf usion
rei
gnedf oral mostf ivesecondsbef oreI
reali
zedwhathewast alkingabout .Guiltand
shameov er t
ookmymi nd; Iblushedandl ooked
away .Hewasst il
l madaboutt hewhol eBer nar d
thi
ng, ev ent houghIpr omi sedhi m Iwoul dnev er
doany t
hi ngl i
ket hatev eragai n."I'
m sor ry,I
promi sey ouIwon' tdoany thingl ikethatev er
again, youdon' thav et ochangeBer nard'
spost
becauseofme, "It oldhi m." Doesn' tmat ter,it'
s
alr
eadydone, andst opwor ry i
ngaboutBer nard,
i
t'snotl ikehei sget tingpai danyl esst hanwhat
Iwasal readypay inghi m, "Chr i
sr espondeddr y l
y.
Ibitmyl i
pt ost opmy sel
ffrom arguingwi t
hhim.
Instead,myf ingersfoundtheirwayt omy
necklaceasIcont emplatedhowt hemeet i
ng
withthedoct orswoul dgo.Ijustwant edNico'
s
surgerytobesuccessf ulandlessinv asi
ve.
Aftersearchingonl i
neaboutVSDt reatments
andot hersur geri
es,Inowpr ayedthatmy
brother'
ssur gerywoul dnotbei nv
asi ve,
as
i
nv asivesurgeriesmadet hebodypr onetoall
sortsofinfect i
ons.
.
Thecarf inall
ystoppedlet
tingusknowt hatwe
hadar ri
vedatourdest i
nati
on.Thedr iver
openedt hedoorandChr i
sgotoutwhi l
eIwas
ri
ghtbehi ndhim.Ihadt i
edmyshoel aces,
whichwasagoodt hingbecauset henIwould
betrippi
ngandst umbli
ngov ermyownf eet.
Takingmyhand, Chrisl
edmei nsi
det he
hospital
.AssoonasIent ered,thesteri
lewhit
e
wall
sr emi ndedofthenumer oust i
mesIhad
beenher e.Thesewal lssuppor tedmewhenmy
fatherf elli
ll
andl eftthewor l
d.Thesewal l
s
wer emyconst antwhenmymot herf ought
agai nstherdi seaseandl ost .Andt hesewal l
s
wer ewhatgr eet edmeev er yti
meIhadbr ought
mybr otherint hehospi tal.Nomat terwher eI
was, whichev ercount ryIwasi n, thewhi tewal l
s
oft hehospi talswoul dal way sbet here,fami l
iar.
Itwassi cktot hinkt hatIhadst artedt o
consi derhospi talsassomesor tofa
fri
end. ..
event houghIhadl osthal fofmyf ami l
y
here, may behospi t
al swer emyf renemy .This
hospi talwasl uxur i
ous.Thef l
oorswer espar kl
y
clean, andmay beitwasj ustmeandmycr azy
i
magi nation,butt hesmel lofdisinf ectanti nthe
airseemedr i
cht ome, l
ikei twasexpensi ve.
Thechai rsint hewai tingar eawer ecl eanand
smoot h,thenur sesbust lingar oundwer eneat ly
dressed.Ibett hishospi talser vedamazi ngf ood.
Chr
isl
edust
other
ecept
iondesk,
andaf
ter
aski
ngthefor
tysomethingyearsl
adyaboutDr
.
Hall
away,hel
edmet othesecondfloor.
Knocki
ngonthedoor,whichhadapl aque
nail
edt
othedoorwit
ht henameDr .Paul
Hall
awayM.D,heent
eredt heroom.
Dr.Hall
way '
sr oom wasbi gandneat .Ther
ewas
adeskwhi chl ookedtobemadeofoakagai nst
onewal l
,withDr .Hall
awaysitt
ingbehi ndi
tina
swivelchai
r.Hi sdeskhadaf ewf i
lesand
papersonit,andaf ewstati
onaryitems.The
restoftheroom consi st
edofacouch, acoffee
tabl
eandapl asmascr eenagainstonewal l
.
Thedoct orhimsel fl
ookedt obei nhi
searl
y
forti
es,wit
hsl i
ght l
ygrayi
nghai r,
warm bl
ue
eyes,paleskin,andf ul
ll
ipswhi chwerecurved
i
nt hewar m,wel comingsmi le.Hewasabout6
feet,acoupleofi nchesshorterthanChri
s.He
wasdr essedint heusual doctor'
satt
ir
e,wit
ha
prist
inewhitecoatwi thblackslacksandalight
blueshirt
.
"Mr.Palmer,it
'sapleasur
etomeety ou,
please
sitdown,"Dr.Hall
awaygreetedChr
is.Hehada
deepv oi
ce,butitwaswar m whi
chmademe
comf ort
ablearoundhim.
"
ThankyouDr.Hal
laway,t
hisismywi
fe,Ali
ce;
Ni
coisherbr
other
,"Chr
issaidtot
hedoctor
.
"
Right,ni
cetomeetyou,
Mrs.Pal
mer
,howar
e
y
ou? "Dr.Hal
l
awayaskedme.
"
I'
m good,t
hanky ouforyourt
ime,
Dr.
Hal
laway,
"Irespondedpoli
tel
y.
"Al
ri
ght,l
et'
stal
kaboutyourbr
other
,shallwe?
"I
wasgladthatDr.Hal
l
awaydidnotwast eti
mein
smallt
alkbutwentri
ghtdowntobusiness.
"Yespl
ease.
"Myhandonceagai
nfl
ewt
omy
neckl
ace.
Dr.Hal
lawayremov edafi
lef r
om thepi
leonhis
deskandopenedi t
.Myhear tresumedit
susual
poundi
ngwhenIsawNi co'snameont hefi
le.
ThiswasNico'scasefi
le;everyt
hingf
rom t
he
fi
rstt
imehewasdiagnosedwi t
hVSDt othel
ast
ti
mehev i
sitedt
hehospitalwasinthatfi
l
e.It
hadever
ythingi
nit
,from ourfamil
yhist
oryto
thenumerousmedicati
onsprescri
bedtoNico.
"So,Ihavewentt hroughy ourbr other'
sfil
e,Mr.
Palmerhadbr oughtmehi sf i
l
et woweeksago,
andIcanassur ey out hatthesur geryisnot
ri
sky.Therearet hreeway sIcancl osethehol e
i
ny ourbrother
'shear t
, whichev erwayy ouf eel
comf or
tablewith,I'
ll
uset hatway ,
"Dr.Hallaway
said.Whenhesai dthatthesur gerywoul dn'tbe
ri
sky,halfofmywor ri
esf l
ewaway .
"Couldyoupleasetel
lmet het
hreeways,
"I
request
ed.GrabbingChri
shand,Igav
eita
squeeze,ner
v est
akingovermeonceagain.
Dr.Hallawaysnoddedwi t
hasmi l
e."Cert
ainl
y.
Thef i
rstprocedur
eisknownassur gicalr
epai
r.
Thisprocedureusuall
yinv ol
vesopen-heart
surgeryundergeneralanesthesi
a.Wear egoing
touseahear t
-l
ungmachi ne;I
'l
lmakean
i
ncisi
onint
hechest,andwil
luseapat
chto
bl
ockthehol
eorjuststi
tcht
heholecl
ose,
"he
i
nformedme.
"
Whati st
hesecondprocedure?"Thefir
stone
i
nvolv
edanopen-heartsurgery,
whichwas
i
nvasi
ve,i
fthesecondandt hir
doptiondi
dnot
i
nvolv
eanopen-heartsurgery
,Iwouldoptfor
t
hat.
"Thesecondi sknownast hecatheter
procedure.ForthisIwouldnotneedt oopenthe
chest,butIwil
l i
nsertathi
nt ubeinsidethe
groi
nandgui det hattubetothehear tandclose
theholebyusi ngamesh, "hetoldme.
"Andwhati
sthethi
rdone?"Il
ikedthesecond
opti
on,
itdi
dn'
ti
nvolveanopen-heartsur
ger
y.
"Thethir
dpr ocedureiscall
edthehybr i
d
procedure.Thisprocedureinv
olvesbot hthe
surgi
calandcat heterpr
ocedures.I
'l
l getaccess
tothehear tbymaki ngasmallinci
sionandwe
wouldnotneedtostoptheheartoranythi
ng.I
'
ll
i
nsertthecl
osi
ngdev i
cethroughthecathet
er
byplacingt
hecathet
erintheinci
sion,
"Dr.
Hal
lawayanswered.
"
Whi
chpr
ocedur
eisbet
ter
?"Ienqui
red.
"Al
lthreeprocedureshavegoododds,butthe
hybr
idpr ocedur
ehasaqui ckerr
ecover
y.Andof
course,Iwill
bedoingaf ol
l
owupf rom t
imeto
ti
met omakesur et heVSDstayscl
osed,"Dr.
Hall
awayr esponded.
Inoddedandlethiswordssinkin.Thedoct or
hadfull
yexpl
ainedtomehowt hesur gery
wouldtakepl
ace,andtherewasnowor r
yor
anyt
hingli
kethatonhisface,whicheasedmy
worri
esaboutthesurger
y.Howev er,Iwouldnot
makeanydecisionunti
lIhadmett heot her
doctor
.
"
Canwegomeett heotherdoct
or,
thenI
'l
lmake
mydeci
sion,
"Isai
dtoChri
s,whonoddedand
st
oodup.
"Thanky ousomuchf oryourt
ime, Dr.Hall
away,
we'llt
hinkitov
erandl etyouknowwhat
procedurewe'l
l deci
detogowi th,"Chri
ssaid.
Aftershakingthedoctor'
shand, Chri
stookmy
handandl edmeoutofDr .Hall
away '
sr oom.
Ithoughtwe'llgot oadi ff
er enthospi t
al,
but
Christookmeupt oanot herf l
oorandi nto
anotherroom, thatlookedl ikeal ounge.There
wereacoupl eofcouchesandpl ant sinevery
cornerofther oom.I nthemi ddleoft he
couchessatabeaut ifulglasst able.Sit
ti
ngon
oneoft hecoucheswasamanwhowas
dressedsimilartoDr .Hallaway ,butwher eDr.
Hallawayhadsl i
ghtl
ygr ayinghai r
, t
hismanhad
si
lverhairl
ikeournewdr iver.Hewaswear ing
wirerimmedgl asseswhi chshowedhi sbrown
eyesclearl
y.Hehadasmal lbeardandhi sface
heldaf ewwrinkl es.
"
Dr.Lof
t,goodt
oseey
ou,
"Chr
isgr
eet
ed.
Dr.Loftst oodupandshookChr ishand.Unlike
Dr.Hallaway ,Dr
.Lof tgaveusat i
ghtsmi l
e,his
posturewasnotr elaxedorwelcoming,itwas
professionalanddet ached.Idi
dnotfeel
comf ortablei
nDr .Loft'
spresenceli
kdIhadi n
Dr.Hallaway '
s.
Withoutawor d, Dr .Loftsatdownont hecouch
whileChrisandIsatacr ossf rom him.Dr .Loft
openedNi co'
sf il
eandbegant ell
ingusal lthe
proceduresandt hesur v i
valrateofeach
procedure.Thepr oblem wi ththisdoctorwas
thathewasusi ngwayt oomanymedi cal
j
argonswhi chIcoul dn'twr apmyheadar ound,
andinsteadofeasi ngmywor riesaboutt he
surgery
,hef i
rstt oldmeal lthepr obl
emst hat
couldoccurdur ingt hesur geryandt hent oldme
thehowsaf et hesur gerywas.Ihadaf eeli
ng
notmanypeopl ewer ecomf ortablewiththis
doctor,
hewasnotni ce.
Butt
hisdoct
ormademydeci
sioneasi
er.Af
ter
tal
kingt oDr .Loftfortwentymi nut
es,mymi nd
wasmadeup.Iwasgoi ngt ohaveDr.Hall
away
perform onmybr other
.Suret hi
sdoctorwas
professional,buthowcoul dIpickthedoct
or
thatconst antl
yhadmewor r
iedwit
ht he
i
nformat ionhewasgi v
ingme, t
hanthedoctor
whogav emef actsbutalsoeasedmywor ri
es.
Dr.Hallawaywasmychoi ce,andI'
lll
etChri
s
knowassoonwewenthome.
Thankfull
y,themeeti
ngwithDr .Lof
tended
quickl
y.Iwasonl yt
oohappyt ogetawayf r
om
hi
m.Ibr eathedasighofrel
iefwhenChr i
sandI
wer eset
tl
edbacki nourcar
, andthedri
ver
droveoutoft hepar
kingl
ot.
"
Dr.Hal
l
away
,"Isai
d.
"
What
?"
"
IwantDr .Hall
awaytodothesurgery,
Idi
dnot
l
ikeDr.Loft
,tooprof
essi
onalandcold.Dr
.
Hall
awayhadmor esuccessf
ulsurgeri
esthan
Dr
.Lof
t,r
ight
?"Iquest
ioned.
"Dr
.HallawayandDr .Loftarebothexcel
l
ent
doctor
s, butokay
, I
'
lll
etDr.Hall
awayknowthat
wehav edecidedtogof orthesurger
yandask
aboutotherdetai
ls,
"hereplied.
Ismiledknowingthatagooddoctorwoul
dbe
deal
ingwithmybr other
."Chr
is,whywer
ebot
h
thedoctorsi
nt hesamehospital
?"
"Dr.Hall
awaywor ksinthehospi
tal
andI
requestedDr .Lofttocometothesamehospit
al
sowedi dn'
thav etowasteti
meinmakingthe
tri
p,"Chrisanswer ed.
Inoddedandfell
silent
,thoughtsofNicoand
hi
supcomi ngsurgeryi
nvadingmymi nd.Ifel
t
peaceaft
ersuchal ongtime,knowingthatmy
brot
herwasactuallygoi
ngt ohaveafuture.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t15<3
.
.
.

Thet woweekspassedbyi naf l

urr
yofact ivi
ty.
AssoonasChr iscall
edDr .Hallawayt ell
inghim
aboutourconsentt othesur gery,t
hedoct or
requestedust obri
ngNi cotot hehospi talfor
test
sandot hermedi calstuff
.Inthoset wo
weekswemadenumer oust r
ipstothehospi tal
,
getti
ngallsortsofcrazytestsdone; thenf our
daysagoDr .Hallawaytoldust ogetNi co
admittedinthehospitalandt oproceedwi th
paymentf orthesurgery,whichcostmear ound
twentythousandpounds.Andnow, tomor r
ow
wast hedayNi cowouldf i
nallyhavehi ssur gery
.
"Whatt
imearewegoi
ngt
ogoseeNi
co?
"I
askedChr
is.
"Assoonaswehavelunch,
we'
l
lgoseeNi
co,
"
herepl
iedwi
thasmil
e.
Inoddedbutmyhear tdidn'
trel
ax.Iwant
edto
gotomybr other
,whoknewhowhewoul dbe
feel
i
ngallalonei
nt hehospit
al.Kei
ranwaswith
him,butIwouldfeelbett
erknowingIwaswith
mybr ot
her.Hehadcal l
edmeanhourago
aski
ngwhenIwasgoi ngtocome, Ij
ustt
oldhi
m
Iwouldseehim soon.
Af t
ersomanyy ears,somanydr eadfulhospit
al
visi
tsthedayhadf inall
yar r
ivedwhenNi co
woul dhav ehissurgery.Inev erthoughtI'dsee
thedaywhenmybr otherwoul dgethi ssurger
y
andbeper fect
lyalr
ight.Now, i
fallwentwel l
andNi co'ssurgerywasasuccess, hewouldbe
abletol i
vehislifewithoutthef earofhear t
fail
ure,andhewoul dfinall
ybeadoct or
.I'
d
makesur etosendhi mt oamedi calcoll
ege
wi t
hther emainingfift
yt housandpoundsandI
woul dgetaj obaswel lsoIcoul dpayf orhi
s
t
uit
ion.Ni
coandIj
ustneededt
ogett
hrough
t
omor r
ow.
"Canwehav
elunchearl
ytoday
?"Iquer
ied,
eagert
ogotothehospi
tal
.
Chrisgav emeal ookthattol
dmehe
under st
oodthereasonformyr est
lessness.
Closingthefil
ehewashol dinginhishands,he
madehi swayovertome.Taki ngahol dofmy
shoulders,hetur
nedmet ofacehim.Gi vi
ngmy
shouldersareassuri
ngsqueezehepeckedmy
cheek.
"Ni
coisfine,li
ttl
epeach;Keiraniswithhim and
tr
ustmehei skeepinganey eony ourbrother.
Sotrustmeandt rustKei
ran,andwe'llgosee
yourbrot
heraf teracoupl
eofhour s.It
'smi dday
ri
ghtnow, atexactly2:
00pm, we'
llgotothe
hospit
al,
okay ?"Hepeckedmyf oreheadand
gavemeawar m hug.
"
Okay
,it
'sj
ust
..
.I
'
m soner
vous.Inev
ert
hought
thatNicowoul dgethissur
geryandhavehis
heartfixed,andnowthatheisgetti
ngsur
gery
andther eisastrongpossi
bil
i
tythathewoul
d
bealright.
..
Ijust
..
."Myhandclut
chedmy
necklacet i
ghtl
y.
"Iknow,l
i
ttl
edove,
Iknow,"hemut
ter
ed,
runni
ng
hishandthr
oughmyhair.
"Thanky ousomuch, Chr i
s,youhav edoneso
muchf orNi coandme, Icannev errepayyou."I
l
ookedupathi m."Youknow, y
oucanaskme
foranything,anythi
ngatal landI'l
lgiveitt
oyou.
I'
llgi
vey ounotonebutt enbabiesifitiswhat
youwant ;honest
lyChris,youjusthav etotel
l
mewhaty ouwantorneedf rom meandI '
l
lgive
i
tt oyouwi t
houthesit
ation,
"Istatedwi t
h
sincer
it
y .
"
Really
,Imighthol
dyoutoyourpr
omise,
li
tt
le
f
air
y,"hetol
dme, car
essi
ngmycheek.
Ismi
l
edasmyhear
tski
ppedabeat
."That
'
swhy
Imadet
hispr
omi
se,
Iwanty
out
ohol
dmet
o
i
t.
"
Hegav emeonet hosecrypt
iclooks,t
heone
whichtol
dmenot hingexceptthathemi ghtbe
thi
nkinghar
danddeepaboutsomet hing.
Kissi
ngmylips,heli
ghtl
ypinchedmycheekand
exit
edthebedroom.
Sighing,Iploppedont hebed, myanxiety
reachingnewhei ght s.IknewKei ranwas
keepinganey eonmybr other;
nott omenti
on,
therewer enumer ousdoct orsatthehospit
al
whocoul dt akecar eofmybr othermuchbet t
er
thanIcoul d,butIjustcoul dn'
trelaxknowi
ng
thatIwasn' twit
hmybr other.
.
Whenmyey esfli
ttedtotheclock,
Icouldn'
thel
p
butgl
areatthestupidti
ckingmachine.The
cl
ockread12:10pm, thesecondhourmov i
ng
wit
hexcruci
ati
ngsl owness.Nomat t
erhow
muchIwi l
ledt
hemachinetomovef
ast
er,i
t
conti
nuedatit
ssnai
lpace,
makingmegrowli
n
annoyance.
Aftertakingaf ewdeepbr eaths,Iventuredout
ofmyr oom andi nthekitchen.Myf oulmood
onlyincreasedwhenIsawHel gastanding,
cutti
ngf ruit
sont hecount er.Ineededt i
met o
mov ef asterandtheonlywayt odot hatwasto
distr
actmy sel
f.So,Iwasgoi ngtocook
somet hing,andIdidn'tcarei fanybodyhada
problem wi thi
t.
"
You'
renotsupposetobeher
e,Mrs.
Palmer
,"
Hel
gastat
ed,comingtost
andinf
rontofme.
"Helga,Iwanttocook,
sopleasegetoutofmy
way .
"Ifthi
swomandi dnotbehavethenIwasn'
t
goingtoeither
.
"Mr
.Pal
merhasnotgiv
enyouper
missi
ont
o
ent
ert
heki
tchen,
"shesai
d.
"
Idon'
tneedhi
sper
missi
on,
getoutofmyway
."
Igr
it
tedout
.
"I
fyoudonotl eavethi
skit
chenIwoul dhav eno
choicebuttogot oMr.Pal
mer,"shethreatened,
butwhatshedi dn'
tknowwast hatshecoul dgo
totheQueenher sel
fandIsti
l
lwoul dn'
tleave
thekit
chen.IwantedtocookandIwasbl oody
wellgoi
ngto!
"Fine,goahead,"Isaid,
pushingpasther
,Imade
mywayt ot
hecount ertocook.Andwhenthe
kitchendoorclosedbehi ndme,Isi
ghedinrel
i
ef.
Finall
y,theevi
lwitchwasgone.
Takingoutabunchofi ngredientsf r
om the
l
argepant r
yItookafewmi nutest othinkabout
whatIwant edtocook.Finall
y, Ideci
dedt ogo
wit
hChi neseri
sewithchickenal mondcur r
y.
Quickl
ychoppingupt hevegat ables,Isetabout
tomakel unch.
Throughoutt
hetimeIwasi
ntheki
tchen,Idi
d
notseeHelga,ot
hert
hanwhenIfi
rstcamehere.
I
twasni cenotseeingt heevi
lhagandIf ini
shed
preparingmymeal innot i
me.Ididn'
tcareif
Chrisdidnotl i
kemewor ki
nginthekitchen,I
neededadi st
racti
onandnoamountofbooks
orev enLilycoulddist
ractmef r
om mybr other'
s
i
mpendi ngsurgery,
exceptcooki
ng.
AfterIwasdone,Iheadedoutofthekit
chen
towardsthedini
ngroom withmyriceandcurr
y
i
nhand.Pl aci
ngthedishescar
eful
lyonthe
table,
Isatdownonmydesi gnatedspotand
waitedforChri
stojoi
nme.
Ididn'
thavetowaitlong.Aftertwentyminut
es,
heenteredthedini
ngt ableandsatdowni nhi
s
usualspot.Iwai
tedtoseei fhewoul dsay
somet hi
ngaboutmegoi nginthekit
chenbuthe
remainedquiet
,orsoIt hought.
"
Helgatol
dmey ouwer
ecooki
ngl
unch,
isi
t
t
rue?"Heasked.
"
Yes,
Ineededt
odi
str
sctmy
sel
fthat
'
swhyI
cookedl
unch.Youdon'
thav
etoeati
tify
ou
don'
twantto,
"Irepl
i
ed.
JustthenHelgaenter
edf
oll
owedbyacoupleof
othermaidsholdi
ngabunchofdi
shes.Assoon
asHelgaputthedishoff
oodinfr
ontofChri
s
hespokeup.
"
Thankyou,
Helga,
buttodayI
'l
lbeeat
ingwhat
Al
icemade,
youcantakethi
sback,
"hetol
dher.
Helgashotmeagl arebutdi dn'tsayany thi
ng,
j
ustnoddedandexi t
edt hedi ni
ngr oom.I
couldn'thelpthesmi l
et hatstretchedacr ossmy
face.Ithoughthewoul dnoteatwhatImade,
buther ejectedHelga'scooki ngov ermi ne.
May behewasbei ngmyf ri
endormay behe
want edtoseehowIcooked, whatev erhis
reasonwas, Iwasgladt hatforoncehef avor
ed
meov erHelga.
"Youreal
l
ywanttoeatwhatImade?
"Icouldn'
t
helpt
hehappi
nessdri
ppi
ngf r
om mywords.
"Yes,
Iwanttoseehowmywi fecooks.I
fyour
foodisr
eal
lydel
ici
ousIwoul
dbany oufrom
cooki
nginthi
splace,
"Hest
ated.

"Whywouldyoubanmeifmyfoodi
s
del
ici
ous?
"Iquest
ionedwi
thafr
own.
"BecauseIdon'twanttogetusedtoy our
cooking,i
twouldbeawf uli
fIgetaddictedt
o
yourfoodandt henyouleave,
"heresponded,
fi
ll
inghisplat
ewi t
hriceandcurr
y.
Ichuckled."Youdon'thavetoworr
yaboutthat.
I'
my ourfri
endnow, I
'
llst
aywithy
ou
for
ev er
..
.may benotunderthesameroofbutI'
ll
bey ourfr
iendforeverandI'
ll
cookyoustuf
f,"I
said.
Assoonashet
ookthefir
stbite,
heclosedhi
s
ey
esandmoanedoutloud.Thesoundhadme
bl
ushi
ngandmycoreti
ghtening,i
twasso
er
oti
c.Ismi
l
edasIsawhi m chewingand
swal
l
owi
ngt
hef
ir
stbi
te,
hisey
esst
il
lcl
osed.
"That
'si
t,y
ouareoff
ici
all
ybannedfrom
cooki
ng,
"hestat
ed,t
akinganothermouthf
ulof
theri
ceandcurr
y.
"
Thegoodbanorthebadban?
"Ienquir
ed,
want
ingt
oknowifheli
kedwhatIcookedornot
.
"Thegoodban,defi
nit
elyt
hegoodban.You
havemagicinyourhands,t
hisist
rul
ydel
ici
ous,
l
itt
lepeach,
"hecomplimented.
"Thanky
ousomuch,
I'
m gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t,
"It
old
him.
"Ishouldt
hankyouforcooki
ngmethis
deli
ciousmeal
."Hesmiledandcont
inuedeat
ing.
GrabbingthespoonIputsomericeandcur
ryin
mypl ate.Af
tert
aki
ngaf ewbi
tesIresumedthe
conversati
on.
"Chri
s,canwest
ayt
henightatt
hehospital
,
sincetomor
rowi
sNico'
ssurger
y?"Ienqui
red.
Jeshookhi
sheadinresponse."
I'
m sorr
y,l
it
tl
e
dove,
butwecan't
;Ihaveaveryi
mpor t
ant
meeti
ngtomorr
owandIneedagoodni ght
'
s
sl
eep,
"hesai
d.
"Youmean, y ouwon'tbetherewi
thme
tomor r
ow."Myhear tinsunkknowingIwoul
dbe
alonewhilemybr ot
herisintheOR."Don'
tsay
that,Chri
s,youhavet obetheret
omorrow,
please,
"Ipleaded.
"Sor
ry,li
tt
lefai
ry,
butthi
smeetingi
sv er
y
i
mpor tant,
Ican'
tcancel
,"her
espondedlooki
ng
guil
ty.
Whyar eyouactingal lneedy?!Youhavebeen
al
oney ourwholel i
fe,youhavedeal twi
th
horr
if
yingthi
ngsal lalone,sowhyar eyou
beggi
nghi mt obet hereforyou?!Youare
str
ong.Plus,don'tbotherhim, hehasmuch
moreimpor t
antthingst odot hantoholdyour
handwhilethedoct orsoperateony ourbr
other
.
Hehasal r
eadydonesomuchf oryou,be
t
hankf
ult
ohi
m.Mysubconsci
ousr
epr
imanded
me.
"
It
'sokay,
Iunderst
and,
yourwor
kismor
e
i
mportant
,"Isai
d.
"
Thanky
ou.
"
"I
fyou'
redoneeat
ing,
shoul
dwegot
othe
hospi
tal
?"Hequer
ied.
Inoddedandstoodup."Yes,
I'
mready,l
et'
sgo."
Taki
nghishand,Il
edhim outoft
hehouse.Just
onemoreday,thenNicowouldbewit
hme.
.
Yesterdaypassedbyi nabl ur.Whenwear r
ived
atthehospi tal
,Ispentfivehour swi t
hNi co
whileChr i
swasbusyt alkingoncel lphoneort o
hi
sbr others.Brentonhadcomet ov i
sitNicoas
wellalongwi thMr .Palmer ,Chri
sf ather;t
hey
hadbr oughtballoonsandacoupl eofst uf
fed
bearsf orNicowhocoul dn'tstopsmi li
ngthe
wholet ime.Usuallykidsar eafrai
dofhospi tals
butnotmybr other;hewassoexictedthathe
wouldbegettinghissurgery,
hecouldn'tst
op
tal
ki
ngabouti t.Duetohisimmenseknowl edge
ontheheartheaskedt hedoctorsalotof
questi
ons,
resul t
ingint
hedoct or
saskingmei f
hereal
lywasonl ytenyearsold.
Todaywast hedaywhenNicoandmylif
ewoul
d
changeonceagain.Todaymybrot
herwas
goingtogetanewl i
feandwoul
dbeableto
l
ookf or
wardtoaf ut
urewher
ehewouldbe
hel
pingpeople.
Ihadbarel
ysleptl
astnight
.Ifi
twasn'tf
orChr
is
andhismeetingIwouldn'
thaveret
urnedfr
om
thehospi
tal
.ButhewasmyhusbandandIhad
tobeagoodwi fetohi
m, soIhadleftmy
brot
herandcamebackwi t
hmyhusband.
"
Canyoupleasehandmemycoat
,li
tt
lepeach?
"
Chr
isr
equested.
Gr
abbi
nghi
scoat
,Ihel
pedhi
m sl
i
dei
ton,
my
mi ndthinki
ngaboutNico'
ssurgerythatwas
duet otakeplaceint
wohour s.IwasgladI
didn'thavetomakebreakfastforhi
m because
todayasIwasi nnocondi
tiontocook.
"Hey."Hecuppedmychi n."
Stopthi
s,I'
m
promi sey
ouNi coisgoi
ngtobefine,hehast
he
bestdoctorslooki
ngaft
erhim,okay?"He
kissedmet enderl
y.
Inoddedandsmi l
edathi
m, butmymindwas
sti
l
lthinki
ngaboutNi
co."
Allthebestf
ory
our
meeting,hav
eagoodday,"Isaidt
ohim.
"Let'
sgo,wedon'twantt
obel at
e,"hest
ated,
andt oget
herwebothlef
tthecastl
etogotoour
diff
erentpl
aces.
OnceChr i
sdroppedmeof ft
othehospi
tal,
he
kissedmedeeplyandtoldmetostaystr
ong
andt ot
hinkposi
ti
ve.Hethensl
idi
nsidethecar
andwentt owork,whi
leImademywayi nside
thehospit
al.
"HeyNic,howareyou?"Isai
dassoonasI
enter
edNi co'
sroom,t
oseeDr .Hal
l
awayanda
fewnurses.
"
Ali
ce,I
'm goi
ngt
ohavemysur
ger
yinal
i
ttl
e
whi
le,
"hestat
edwit
hagri
n.
"
Yesyouwill
."Itur
nedt oDr
.Hal l
away."
Arey ou
t
aki
nghimf orsurgerynow?"Ienqui
red,seeing
t
henursesbeginningtowheelthebedoutt he
r
oom.
"Yes,we'
retaki
nghimf orsurgerynow.The
surgeryi
sgoingtotakeal i
tt
lewhileandifal
l
goeswell,Ni
cowill
haveanor malfunct
ioni
ng
heartbytheendofthet hi
sday ,
"Dr.Hal
laway
tol
dmewi t
hawar m smi l
e.
"
Thissurger
yisgoi
ngt obeasuccess,ri
ght
?"
Myanxietywasbackfull
for
ce,
myf inger
s
t
angli
nginmynecklaceonceagain.
"Wehavehighhopesforthi
ssurger
y.Ther
eisa
str
ongpossibi
l
ityt
hatNicowil
lmakeitoutof
thi
ssur ger
ywithaf ul
l
yfuncti
oningheart
.You
j
ustpr ayandletusdoourwor k,okay?
"Dr.
Hallawaysqueezedmyshoul derinassur
ance.I
noddedandheexi tedtheroom withme
fol
lowingbehind.
Imademywayt othefr
ontofthrgurneytotalk
toNico."
Heybuddy ,
youreadyforthi
s?"Iheld
hishand,comf
orti
ngmy sel
fwiththewarmt hof
hishand.
"
Yes,nomoreveget
ablesandT.V.f
orme,after
t
odayIam goi
ngtoschoolandplay
ingout
side!
"
Ni
coexcl
aimed.
Itwasal lt
hatwassaidbet weenus, t
henur ses
tookNi coinsi
detheORandIwasl ef
ttowai t
outside.Assoonast hedoor softheORcl osed,
Iclosedmyey esandhel dont omyneckl ace,
prayingformybrother.IjustwishedthatNico
camebackt omeanddi dnotleavemel i
ke
everyoneelsehad.
OhGod,
pleasesav
emybr
other
.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t16<3
.
.
.

Chr
is
Iclosedthefi
leIwashol dinginmyhandand
placeditonthet able.Si
ghing,Iclosedmyey es
andi nst
ant
lyAlice'sfacef l
ashedbef or
emy
eyes.Thoseinnocentgr eeney es,theplumplips,
thatradi
antsmi l
e, i
tmademesadknowi ngshe
wasgoi ngtoleav eoncet hisyearwasov er.
I
twascrazyhowinsuchashor
tamountofti
me
Al
icehadbur
rowedherwayinmyhear
t.Sheby
nomeansownedi t
,butshedefi
nit
elyhada
speci
alpl
acei
nmyhear t.AndIwasgladthat
notonl
yhadIfoundawifebutafri
endinher
too.
NotoncehadIi magi nedhav i
ngawomanl i
ke
Ali
ceinmyl i
fe,letal
oneasmywi fe.SheandI
grewupindifferentplaces,camefrom di f
fer
ent
backgr
ounds.Womenl ikeAli
ceweret he
perf
ectcandidatesforchar i
tywhi
l
eIwast he
onewhogav et hosepoorwomenchar i
ty,so
Ali
ceandIwer edef i
nitelynott
heideal coupl
e;
butwewer enotadi sast r
ousoneeither.
Whenshehadf i
rstwalkedint
omyof f
ice,tryi
ng
tolookconfi
dentbutfail
ingmiserabl
y,Idecided
thenandtherethatIwasnotgoi ngtomar r
yher,
simplybecauseshedidnotmeetmyst andards;
butthemomentt hosegr eeneyesmetmi ne,my
heartsai
donet hi
ng,somet hi
ngmyhear tnever
said.
Thi
sisi
t.She'
stheone.
Atfi
rstIhadnoi deawhathappenedandwhy
didmyhear tsaythat,ormay beIwasimagini
ng
i
tall
,butafterawhileIreal
izedthatitwas
defi
nit
elymyhear tthatsai
dt hat
,becauseit
remainedit
susual sil
entselfaft
ershelef
tandI
i
ntervi
ewedt heotherwomen.
Oncet hei
ntervi
ewswereov erfortheday ,
I
askedmyf amilywhichwomant heyli
ked.My
heartontheotherhandkeptonchant ingAlice'
s
name, whi
lemymi ndwasst ati
ngal lt
he
negati
v et
hingsabouther
.Itwascl earthatmy
mindandhear twereconfl
i
cting,whichmade
meunsur ewhethertochooseAl iceornot.
"Il
i
kethatcut
eone, t
hestrawberrybl
ondeone,
shehassubstance,
"Keir
anstated.Well
Ali
ce
gotKeir
an'
svote,whichi
ncreasedherchances
ofbecomingmywi f
e.
"Iagr
eewithKeir
an,shehassubst
anceanda
backbone,notmanyhadabackbone,butshei
s
poorwithanawfulf
amilyhi
stor
yofheart
diseasessoshewouldn'
texact
lybemyfir
st
pick.
..
may bet
hesecondorthethi
rd,
"Br
enton
toldme.
"Wasthereanyot
herwomany
oul
i
ked,
Brent
?"I
askedhim.
"Thatdarkhai
redone..
.whatwashername,
Vil
ma, Il
i
kedher,"heanswered.
"
Vil
mawasbor
ing,Il
i
kedAlice,
shei
scut
e,l
i
ke
amushr
oom,
"Keir
anresponded.
"Dude,
youaredati
ngagir
lwhoworksatatoy
stor
e,whatdoyouknowabouthav
ingthe
perf
ectwif
e?"Br
entont
hrewatKei
ran.
"Excuseme, Jennyi
sadorabl
eandI'
mt hi
nking
aboutbringi
nghertothenextfami
l
ydinner,
"
Keirandefended.
"Let'
sseeifshewillagr
eetocomeonceshe
becomesacquai nt
edwi t
hyourdar
knatur
eand
kinkypr
eferences,
"Brent
onshotback.
Kei
rannarr
owedhiseyesatBrent
on;Icl
ear
ed
mythroatt
ogetthei
ratt
ent
ion.Now,Iwas
l
ookingatmyfat
hertoknowhisopini
on.
"Stacywoul dbey ourperfectmatchwheni t
comest osocialfuncti
onsandal l
.Vil
mawoul d
bey ourperfectmat chwheni tcomest omaking
decisionsanddoi ngbusiness.Butifyouare
l
ooki ngforast ay-at
-homemom t henAl i
ceis
perfectforthatrole,butt
henagain,theheart
problemsi sahugedownsi detohav i
ngherasa
wife,"myfatherst at
ed.
Iwrotedownt henamesofSt acy,Vi
lmaand
Ali
ceonapi eceofpaperbeforeleavi
ngmy
workplace,ast herewasonemor epersonI
neededt oknowt heopi
nionofbeforeIei
ther
mademydeci sionorl
ookedforwardto
tomorrow,theseconddayofi ntervi
ews.
WhenIhadar r
ivedbackatt
heestate,
Iasked
Keir
antoaccompanymet othecemetary.Over
ther
e,Ihadknel
tinfr
ontofmymot her'
sgrav
e
andaskedherwhoshet houghtwoul dbemy
perfectwifeafterIhadr eadoutt henamesof
thethreewomen.Idi dn'
tknowexact l
ywhatI
wasl ookingfor ,
someki ndofasi gnor
somet hing,may beIwasn' treall
yexpect i
ng
anything,butasuddenbr eezest artedand
may beitwasj ustt hewi ndormymi ndwas
playingtri
cksonme, butIdi sti
nctl
yhear dthe
nameAl i
cebei ngwhi sper ed.Inoddedatmy
mot her'
sgr av
et oletherknowt hatIhadgot t
en
theanswer .Notwast inganyt ime, ItoldBrenton
tocancel theinterviewsf ortomor rowandal l
fourofuswentst r
aightt oAl i
ce'
spl ace.
Nowi thadbeennearlyamont hsi ncewehad
beenmar ri
edandAl i
cewaspr ovingtobea
wonderfulwif
e.Shewassosweetandcar i
ng;
despit
ewhatI '
ddone, howI 'dt
reatedher,
she
sti
ll
smi l
edanddidev erythingthatonewould
expectfr
om agoodwi fe.Itwasashamet hat
shewasgoi ngtoleaveme.
Wellwhydon'
tyoumakethisarr
angement
per
manent.Youobvi
ousl
ydon'twanthert
o
l
eave.Mysubconsci
oussuggested.
ButIcouldn'
tdothat.Ali
cewasonlymywi f
efor
thebaby,shewasn'tthetypeofwomany ou
tooktosocialf
uncti
ons.Shewasy ourty
pical
wife,
theonewhogr eetedy ouever
yti
mey ou
camehome, madelunchforthefamil
y,t
ook
careofthehouseandchi l
dren.
I
sn'tt
hatwhatyouwant ?Awi fewhogreetsyou
wit
hasmi le,
whoy oucanshar eyourpr
oblems
wit
h,whoi st
her
ewi t
hy outhroughthi
ckand
thi
n.Al
iceisper
fectandyou'dbeaf oolt
olet
hergo,thi
smywashear ttal
king.
Icouldn' tdenythatAli
ceindeedwasthe
def i
nit
ionoft heperfectwif
e.Despi
tehersmall
stature,shecoul daccomplishbi
g,di
ff
icult
things.Itfeltsogoodwhenshewoul dcr awlon
myl ap, orjustmerelyhel
dmyhand.WhenIwas
upsetaboutv isi
ti
ngmymot her
,sheheldonto
meandkeptont ell
i
ngmehowshewasgoi ng
tostaywithmenomat terwhathappened
becauseshehadmadeapr omisei nfr
ontof
Godt obeagoodwi f
e.Thatwast hemoment ,
whenIknewt hatitwouldbedi ff
icultt
olether
go.Shewasdi ggingherwayi nt
omyhear tandI
wasaf rai
dshewassoongoi ngtoowni t
.She
waspr ovi
ngbyheract i
onsandwor dsthatmy
heartwasr i
ght,andIdidnotr egretmydecision
aboutmar ry
ingher .
Shehasbeenagoodwi fet
oy ou,nowyou
shouldbeagoodhusbandtoher.Gotoher,
she
needsyou,shei
sal
lalone,
therei
snoonewi th
her.
Thebestthi
ngaboutAl
icewast hatshewas
al
wayssmi l
i
ng.Nomat t
erwhatlif
et hr
ewather,
shestoodstr
ongandsmi l
eddespiteallt
he
hear
tacheshebeendealtwit
h.Everymor ni
ng,
shewouldhelpmegetreadyforwor kandwhen
Iwasabouttoleav
eshewoul dgivemet he
mostbeaut ifulsmileandt oldmet ohav ea
goodday .Anddespi t
enotwant ingt obel i
eveit
,
Ialway shadagoodday .Butnott hismor ni
ng;
thismor ningshewasdi str
acted, hermi ndwas
onherbr ot her'ssurgery ,hersmi lewasnotas
radianttodayasi tusual lywas, andasi twas
whyIwasn' thav ingthebestday .Icouldn't
focusonany thi
ng,mymi ndf l
ashingt ot he
fragil
egirlwhowasi nt hehospi tal.Ihadbeen
selfi
shandbr oughtherbackt oourhomeev en
thoughshewant edt ost aywi thherbr other,onl
y
becauseIwant edtosl eepandwakeupnextt o
herandhav ehersmi leatmei nt hemor ning,
butitwasnouse.
Gotoher ,sheneedsyou.Andwhi l
eyou'
reatit
,
cal
lyourlawyerandterminatethecont
ract,
don'
tlethergo,youwouldn'tbehappywithout
her.
Knowingmyhear
twasr
ight
,Ipi
ckedupmy
phoneandcal
l
edmycli
entwhowassupposet
o
behereinhal fanhour.I
twasbecauseoft his
cli
entt
hatIr efusedtoaccompanymywi f
eto
thehospit
al.SinceIcouldn'
tconcentr
ate,
there
wasnor easoncal l
ingmyclienther
e.
"Mr.Lawson?"Ispokeupassoonast
hel
i
ne
connected.
"Mr
.Pal
mer,
I'
mjustaboutt
oreachy
ourof
fi
ce,
"
het
oldme.
"Yes,
aboutt
hat
,Iwouldli
ketoreschedul
ethe
meeting,
somet
hingimport
anthascomeupand
Ireal
l
yneedtogo,"It
oldhi
m.
"All
r i
ght
,nopr
obl
em,
wecanr
eschedul
e,
"he
stated.
"Good,I
'l
lhavemyPAcally
ouforthenew
detai
ls,
thankyousomuch.
"Ihungup.
Standingup,
Igrabbedmycoatandsli
ppedi
ton.
Sl
ippingmyphonei nmypocket,
Itext
ed
Bernardtogohomeandnott ocomepickme
up.Itwouldt
akeBernar
dawhi l
etocomepick
meupandIdi dnotwantt owai t
.Myt extto
Bernardwasshor tandcur t;despit
echangi ng
Bernard'
spost ,Icouldn'
thel pthescowl that
marredmyf acewhenev erIsawhi m.Seei ng
Ali
cewi t
hhi mt hatdaymademewantt oburn
Bernard'
scot t
agedown, butIcouldn'
tdot hat.
Evenaf t
ersomanyday s, wheneverIthought
aboutthatdaywhenIsawAl icewithhim, anger
bubbleddeepi nsidemeandmademewantt o
hi
tsomet hing.
Grabbingmycarkey sfr
om thedrawer
,Imade
mywayoutoft hemyofficebutmyPAentered
myr oom befor
eIcouldexit
.Shewasholdi
ng
somesor tofenvel
opeinherhand.
"Mr.Palmer,yourwife'
smedical
repor
tshav
e
arr
ived,"shesai
dwhi lehandi
ngmethe
envelopethenleftt
her oom.
Myhear tst
art
edpoundi
ngasIstaredatthe
env
elope.Thiswasit
;Iwasgoi
ngtoknow
whetherAli
cereal
l
ywaspregnantornot.My
guttol
dmet hatshewascarryi
ngmybaby,but
theser
epor
tswoul dtel
lmethetrut
hupfr
ont.
Andunli
kemygut ,theansweri
ntheser
eport
s
wouldberi
ght.
Sli
ppingmyf i
ngeri
ntheslit
,It
oreopenthe
envelopeandtookoutthefol
dedsheetofpaper
.
Itt
ookmeaf ewsecondstogot hrought
he
contentsandwhenIsawt hewor dIhadbeen
sodesperatetosee,
mydeci si
onwasmade.
Al
i
cewasnotgoi
ngany
wher
e.
Foldingthepaper ,
Isl i
ppedi tinsidemycoat 's
pocketbef oreexit
ingmyof fice.Iinst
ructedmy
PAt ocancel al
lmymeet ingsf ort henextthree
daysandt ocall
Mr .Lawsont or eschedulethe
meet ing.ThenIjoggedoutoft hebuildi
ngand
sl
ippedi nsidemycar .Turningont heigniti
on,I
peeledoutoft hepar ki
ngl otanddr ovetothe
hospi t
al.
AssoonasIar r
ivedatthehospital
,Iqui
cklygot
therequi
redi
nformati
onf rom t
herecepti
onand
headedinthedir
ecti
onoft heOR.OnceIar ri
ved,
myey esi
mmedi atel
ylandedonmywi f
eand
whatIsawmademyhear tcl
ench.
Ali
cewasst andingaf ewfeetawayf r
om t heOR
doors.Herheadwasbowedandherhands
werecupped.I tlookedasi fshewast r
y i
ngher
besttostayst r
ongbutwasn' tsucceeding.
Seeingherlikethis,sofragil
eandhel pless,the
cavemani nsidemewokeup.Iwant edto
prot
ectthisdelicatewomanf rom thiswor l
d.
Myf eetl
edmeal l
thewayt oher.Onceshewas
withi
nmyr each,Iturnedhertofaceme.Her
eyeswereglassywi thunshedtears;
hercheeks
hadpinksplotchesont hem;shewast r
embling,
tr
yingherbesttost aystr
ong.
"
Lit
tl
edov
e,"Isai
dtoher
.
Whenshel
ookedupatme,
itwasl
i
keshel
etgo.
Ast r
angledsobt orethroughherbef oreshe
l
auncedher selfatme, holdingontomet i
ght
ly,
afrai
dtoletmego.Icl utchedhertightl
ytome,
ful
lyint
endingt oholdherf orev
er.Ifel
tli
keutt
er
arsehol
ef orabandoningheri nhert i
meofneed.
Butnotnow, notany mor e.
Carr
y i
nghertothewai
tingchairs,
Isatdown
wit
hherfir
ml yonmylap.Iplacedherheadon
mychest,whileIl
etmyhandr unov erherarm,
soothi
ngher.Ali
cecl
utchedmyshi rt,sobbi
ng.
Howcoul dIl
eavethi
swoman?Howcoul dI
l
eav ethewomanwhowast hemotherofmy
unbornbaby ?Howcoul dIletherwalkallal
one
i
nt hemi dstoft
hiscruelwor l
dwit
hherl i
ttl
e
fai
ryfeet?Howcoul dIsitbackandwat chher
facethisdarkanddanger ousworl
dal lonher
own?Howcoul dIbeokaywi t
hwatchingher
suffer
?
No, Iwasnotgoingtodoit.Iwouldprotecther
from thi
sevil
wor l
d.Iwoul
dshi el
dherf r
om all
thebadt hi
ngsthatwerehappeningaroundher.
Iwoul dhol
dherwhenshef el
landI'
l
lbeher
strengthwhenshewasweak.Iwoul dnotl et
any onehur
ther;Iwouldmakehersmi le.
Youareonlywit
hherbecauseofthebaby
.You
don'
treall
yhav
ef eeli
ngsf
orher
.My
subconsci
ousstated.
Butmysubconsci ouswaswr ong.Itwasnot
aboutthebaby,notanymore.Sure,Ihad
marri
edherforthebaby,butinjustonemonth
shehadmademeneedher .Now, Ididn'
tj
ust
wantababyf r
om her,Iwantedher .
"
He'sgoingt
odi
e,Chr
is,
Nicoi
sgoi
ngt
odi
e,
"
Al
icecr
ied.
"No,l
it
tl
epeach, don'
tsayt hat
,Nicoisgoi
ngto
bejustfi
ne,
"Irepli
ed,holdingherti
ghtl
yagai
nst
me.IfGodforbidsomet hinghappenedtoNico,
I
wasnotgoi
ngt
oleav
eher;
Iwoul
dst
aybyher
si
deandhel
phermoveon.
"He'
sgoingtodie.He'
sgoingtoleav
emel i
ke
ever
yoneelsehad."Shecont
inuedtosob.
Iam notgoi
ngt
oleav
eyou.
"
No,l
it
tl
edove,hei
sstr
ong,
trustmehewi
l
l
makei
t,
"Iassur
edher
.
"Don'tl—l
ietome, Iknowhew- won'tcomeback.
Look, mynec—neckl acebroke,Nicoga—gav e
met hisneck—neckl aceandIhadt hisnecklace
onf oryears,andnowi t
'sbro—broken; t
hisisa
sign,Chri
s,"shest ated,showingmet hebroken
necklace.Thechai nwasbr oken;
Ididn'texpect
thenecklacet olastlong,thechainwasget t
ing
rusty.
"
Lit
tl
efair
y,it
'sj
ustanecklace,
andthechai
n
wasoldsoitbroke,don'
ttakei
tasasign,
"I
murmured,ki
ssinghercheek.
"
Youknow,
whenNi
cogav
emet
hisneckl
ace,
hesa—sai dthathewouldalway sbewithmeas
l
ongasIwor ethenecklace,
andnowi t'
s
broken.
..
itmeanshei sgoingleaveme,"she
tol
dme, closinghereyesasfreshtear
s
streameddownhercheeks.
"No,l
i
t t
leone,no,
heisgoingt
obej
ustf
ine,
I
promiseyou,"Imutt
ered.
"
Don'
tmakepromisesy oucan'
tkeep,don'
tgive
mefal
sehope.
"Shecont i
nuedcryi
ng."I
'm goi
ng
t
odiewit
houtmybrother,Chr
is,
itwouldkil
lme
i
fNi
coleftme,
"shesaid.
Nolit
tl
epeach,youwon'tdi
e.Iwon'
tl
et
anyt
hinghappentoyou.Youaregoi
ngtost
ay
wit
hmef orever
.
"
Hei
sgoi
ngt
obej
ustf
ine,
"Ir
eassur
edher
.
"Hehastobef ine,Chr
is;hehastomakeitout
ofthi
ssurgery.Hehast obeadoctorandsave
peopl
e'sli
ves,I—Iam goingtosendhi
mt o
medicalschool,andwepl annedat
ri
ptoDisney
Land,
hehast
obeokay
,hehast
obe.
..
"
Inthatmoment , Iwantednothingmorethanto
takeAlice'
spainawayandgi vehermy
happiness.Itwasi nthatmoment ,whenI
real
izedjusthowal onesher eall
ywas.Ihadmy
brothersandmyf athertoloveandsupportme,
andshehadnoone.Al icedidnothaveafather
whowoul dprotecther;shedidnothavea
mot herwhowoul dshareherpain;sheonl
yhad
alit
tlebrother
,whoatt hi
smomentcoul dleave
her.
"Ni
coi sgoingtobeadoctor
,andy
ouaregoi
ng
toDisneyLand, j
ustpr
ayt
oGodandNicowil
lbe
all
right,
"Istat
ed.
"
Whati
fhei
sn'
t?
"
ThedoorsoftheORopenedj ustasthe
questi
onl
eftAli
ce'sl
i
ps.Dr.Hall
awayexit
edt he
ORandwalkedov ert
ous.Alicepushedherself
offofmeandstoodinfrontofDr.Hall
away.
"Doct
or,
howdidthesurger
ygo,ismybr ot
her
okay?
"Sheasked,f
eardri
ppingf
rom herwords.
"Congratul
ati
ons,thesurgerywentgreat,Nico
i
sjustf i
ne.Wehav efixedtheVSDbyusi ngt he
hybri
dpr ocedureasyouwant ed,andNicoi s
expectedtomakeaf ullr
ecoveryinj
ustaf ew
days,
"Dr .Hall
awayanswer edwithasmi l
e.
Rel
iefradi
atedonAli
ce'
sface.Herlegsgav e
outandshewould'
vefall
enifIhadn'tcaught
her.Ihel
dherti
ght
lyagai
nstme, notintendi
ng
tol
etherfall
.
"Mybrotheri
sokay?He'sreal
l
yokay ?
"Alice
keptsayi
ng,itwasl
ikeshecouldn'tbeli
eveit
.
Reli
efspreadthr
oughmeathear ingNicowas
goingtobeallri
ght
.
"Yes,
Mr s.Palmer,
yourbrot
herwill
bejustfi
ne.
Hehasabr i
ghtfut
ureaheadofhim.Makesur e
tosendhi mtomedi cal
schoolwhereheso
desperatel
ywantstogo,"Dr.Hal
l
awayr epl
i
ed.
"Thankyou,doctor,
thankyousomuch."Al
ice
wrappedherarmsar oundDr.Hal
lawayina
surpri
sedhug,catchi
nghim of
fguard.
"You'r
ewelcome."Ali
cepull
edawayf r
om the
doctor."
Youcanseey ourbr
otherinalit
tl
e
while,we'
ll
bemov inghi
mt ohisroom andhe'l
l
wakeuponcet heanest
hesi
awear soff
,"Dr.
Hall
awayst at
ed.
Al
i
cenodded."
Thanky
ousomuch.
"
Dr.Hall
awayshookmyhandbef orewal ki
ng
away.Itookoutmyphoneandt extedmyf ami
ly
aboutthegoodnewsofNi co'
ssurgerybeinga
success.Al
icewrappedherar
msar oundme.
"
Thankyouf
orbei
ngt
her
eforme,
"she
murmur
ed.
I
'
llal
way
sbet
her
efory
ou,
li
tt
lepeach.
"Youdon'
tneedt
othankme,
"Ir
epl
i
ed,
hol
ding
hercl
osetome.
"
Howcomey ou'
reher
e?Di
dn'
tyouhav
ean
i
mpor
tantmeeti
ng?"
"Yeah,i
tgotcancel
l
ed,soIcame,pl
usy ou
neededmeher e.
"Iwasn'
tgoingtot
ell
herI
cancel
ledthemeeti
ng,shewouldonl
yfeel
guil
tyabouti
t.
Shenoddedandsmi led.Thesmi l
eIhadbeen
yearni
ngforsincemorning."Yes,
Ineededyou,
come, l
et'
sgoandwai tforthedoctor
stobri
ng
Nicotohisroom,"Al
i
cest ated.
"Sur e,wait,Idroppedsomething."Ibentdown
andpi ckedupt hebrokennecklaceandsl i
pped
i
ti nsidemypocket .Nowwasnott herightt
ime
tot ellhershewaspr egnant
,shehadt oomuch
onhermi nd.Takingherhand,Iledheraway
from t hedoor softheOR.
Gl
ancingatherhadmemakingupmymi nd.I
mayhavemar r
iedAl
icef
oronlyayear,
butthi
s
marr
iagewasnotgoingt
olastfor365days.
I
twasgoi
ngt
olastf
orev
er.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t17<3
.
.
.

ChrisandIent er
edNi co'sr oom and
i
mmedi atelymyey esl andedonmybr ot
her,
whowasl y i
ngf l
atont hebed, hookedt oa
coupleofmachi nest hatwer epr obably
moni t
oringhi shear tandot hervital
s.Relief
washedov ermel ikeat idal wavewhenIsaw
thatmybr otherwasal lrightandwoul dno
l
ongerhav eanypr obl emswi t
hhi sheart.
Qui
cklywal
kingtheremaini
ngdistance,I
r
eachedNico'sbedandimmediatelytookhi
s
smallhandinmi ne.Pressingakissontheback
ofhishandIwai tedforNicot owakeup.Chri
s,
meanwhi l
e,hadmadehi mselfcomfort
ableon
thecouchwhi chwassi tuatedagai
nstonewall.
Taki
ngouthi scellphone, hebeganworki
ng.
Aft
ert enminutes,Nico'
seyelidsfl
uttered
beforeheopenedt hem andhi seyesmetmi ne.
I
twasl i
keIhadbeengi venanewl i
fewhenI
l
ookedi ntomybr other'
ssparklygreeney es.I
fel
tthatnowt hingswerestartingt
ol ookupf or
me, andIwouldnev erbealonei nthefuture
becauseIwoul dhav emybr otherwithme.

"HeyNi
c,howdoyoufeel
?"Iasked,
happi
ness
dri
ppi
ngfrom mywor
ds.
"
Canyoupleasegiv
emesomewat
er,
Ifeel
t
hir
sty
,"Ni
corequested.

Noddi
ngmyhead,
Iletgoofhi
shandt
ogr
ab
thecupofwat erwhi chwasplacedonat able
nexttoNico'
sbed.Chr i
shadjoi
nedmebyt he
ti
meIhadt urnedbackt ogiveNicothecupof
water.Hehadhel pedNi cosi
tupina
comfortabl
eposition;IhandedNicothecupbut
keptonehandont hecupsoi twouldn'
t
acci
dentall
yfall
.
"Don'
tdri
nktoomuchatonce,
okay
?Smal
l
sips,
"Ii
nstr
uct
ed.

Chri
swr appedhisarm aroundmyshoul dersas
IwatchedNi codri
nki
ngwat er
.Oncehef ini
shed,
Nicogav emet hecupandIplacedi tbacktoits
ori
ginalplace.Myeyeswouldn'
tleav eNico,i
t
wasl i
keIwoul dbur
stwithhappi
nessasI
watchedmybr ot
hertaki
ngdeepbr eaths.
"
I'
m al
lbet
ternow,r
ightAl
i
ce?
"Ni
coquer
ied
wi
thhopef
uleyes.
"Yes,
yoursur
ger
ywasasuccessandi
naf
ew
dayswe'l
lgohome,
"It
oldhi
m.

Nicofi
stpumpedt heai
rwit
hthehandt hatwas
notpi
ercedwithanIVneedl
e."
Yes!Nowy ou'
l
l
takemet otheamusementpark,ri
ght
?"And
whenwi l
lIgotoschool
?"Ni
cof i
redoffhis
quest
ions.

Il
aughed."
Soon,you'
l
lgot
oschoolv
erysoon
andwe'l
lgototheamusmentpar
kaswell
,"I
promi
sedhim.
"Chr
issir
?Wi
lly
oucomewithAli
ceandIt
othe
amusementpar
k?"Ni
coquest
ionedmy
husband.
"Ofcour
se,ifyouguy swantmet ocomet henI
wil
l,
"herepl
ied.IglancedatChri
st oseeifhe
wassayingthistoappeasemybr other,butI
sawnothingbutsincerit
yinhi
sey es,hewas
notl
yi
ng.
"Coul
dy outell
met henamesofthebest
schoolsaroundhere?"Ni
coenqui
red.Ibl
inked
myey esinbewilder
ement.Ni
cowast hefir
st
kidwhowassoexci t
edtogotoschool,i
twas
crazy
.

"Thel
isti
skindoflong.Doyouwantt
ogotoa
pri
vat
eschoolortheregul
arone?
"Chri
ssat
downont heedgeofNico'
sbed.
"
Theregul
arone.Whi
chschooli
snear
estt
o
y
ourhouse,Al
ice?
"Ni
coqueri
ed.
Ifoundmyselfatalossforwor ds.Ihadnoidea
whichwasclosesttothecastle,i
ftherewasa
schoolcl
osetoitatall
.Ibi
tmyl i
pasI
contempl
atedwhatt otel
lNico,butthankf
ull
y
chri
scamet omyr esue.
"
Wher
eAl i
ceandIli
veiski
ndofa
r
emot
e..
.secl
udedarea,
ther
eisnoschool
for
qui
teaf
ewmi
l
esf
rom t
her
e,"chr
issai
d.
"Al
i
cewi l
lyoupl
easebuymeabi kethen?I
'
ll
useitt
ogot oschool
,
"Nicosai
dt ome.

"Youdon'tneedabi ke,thedriv
erwil
ldropy ou
offevery
day ;
ifyoudon'twantt hechauffeurto
dropyouof fthentheschool buswil
lcomet o
pickyouupev er
yday,i
t'
sy ourchoi
ce,"chri
s
respondedwi thasmi l
e.
"
Theschoolbus,Iwanttogoontheschoolbus
l
ikeal
ltheot
herboysandgirl
s,
"Nicost
ated
wit
hagr i
nonhisface.

"Okaythen,y
oubestgetbackonyourfeetas
soonaspossible,
youngman,thenwe'l
lsend
youtoschool,
"Chri
ssaid,
ruf
fl
ingNico'
shairi
n
abrotherl
ymanner.
"
Yes!
"Ni
coexcl
aimed.
Iglancedt omyr i
ghttoseeDr.Hallaway
enteri
ngf oll
owedbyacoupl eofnur ses.Hehad
thesamewar m smileonhisfacethatwas
becomi ngoneofmyf av
ori
tes.Ismi ledwhenI
sawhi m,gr at
efult
hatmenlikeDr.Hal laway
exi
stedt ohelppeopleli
kemybr other .
"Hel
l
o,Nico,howareyou?
"Dr
.Hall
awayasked
mybrotherwhil
eplaci
ngt
hest
ethoscope
agai
nsthischest
.
"
Iam all
good,Dr
.Hall
away
,thanky
ouf
orf
ixi
ng
meup,"Nicor
epl
ied.

"You'
rewelcome, nowyoumustcomeevery
mont hforyourfol
lowup,okay
?Andyouhavet
o
becomeadoct ornowandhelpmeoutwi
ththe
otherpati
ents.
"Thedoctortol
dNi
co.

Ni
cowasjustaboutt
oanswerDr
.Hal
laway
whenKei
ran,
alongwit
hBrent
onandMr.Pal
mer
enteredtheroom.Keir
anwasgrinningwhi l
e
BrentonandMr .Pal
merwerestoic,thei
rfaces
blank.It
hankedGodonceagainf orsending
thesepeopletohelpmeandmybr otherout.

"
Nic,howarey
ou,buddy
?Ihear
dthesur
ger
y
wentwell
,
"Kei
ransai
dtoNi
co.

"Yeah,Iam goi
ngt
ogotoschoolnow,ona
bus!"Ther
ewasnostoppi
ngNico'
sexcit
ement
.

Dr.Hall
awayf i
nishedchecki
ngNi co'
svi
tal
s,
thenusheredChr i
sandIoutoft heroom t
o
speaktouspr ivat
ely
.SinceNicowasbusy
tal
kingtothePal mermen,Iwasn'tworr
ied
aboutleavinghim al
oneforafewseconds, and
thefactthatwewer einthehospital
hel
ped
easemywor ri
esfurt
her.
"IcheckedNico'
sheartbeatandi ti
sstrongand
steady.I
tmeanst hatthesurgerywasa
hundredpercentsucess."Reli
efshotthrough
meathear i
ngDr .Hall
awayconf ir
mt hi
s."We'l
l
doaf oll
owupev erymont hforatleastayear,
thenmay bewe'llr
educet hefol
lowupst o
may beeverytwomont hsorev erythr
ee
mont hs,
"hesaid.

"Yes,ofcour
se,
thanky
ousomuch,
doct
or,
"I
stated.
"
You'r
ewelcome,nowwe'
lldi
schargeNiconext
weekashi
sbodyneedsthepropercar
eand
t
imetoheal,
"Dr
.Hall
awayi
nformedme.
"Ofcourse,
doctor
,weunderst
andthatNicoi
s
goingtogetthebestt
reat
mentoverhere,
"Chr
is
responded.
Af
tergi
vi
ngaf
ir
m nod,
thedoct
orsai
d,"
Yes,
I
shal
lgonow,I'l
lcomeagai ni
nthemor ni
ngt
o
checkuponNi co."Shaki
nghishand,
Dr .
Hall
awaywalkedaway ,
whil
echri
sandIwent
backinsi
deNico'sroom.
Nicowasbusychat t
ingwi t
hKeiranwhi l
e
BrentonandMr .Palmerwer ebusytalkingon
theirphones.Atseei ngKeiranandNico
l
aughi ngt ogether,Icouldn'
thelpbutnot i
cehow
closet het wohav egotteninamont h.They
wer etalkingandl aughingli
ketwobr others,
li
ke
fri
ends.I twasl i
keNi cowasal waysapar tof
Keiran'slife.I
twashear twarmingtosee.
"
Lit
tl
efai
ry?
"Chr
issai
d.

"
Hmm?
"Ismi
l
edupathi
m.
"Iam goingtogoandgetyousomet
hingt
oeat
anddr i
nk,okay
?"Chr
istol
dme.
"No,no,
youdon'thav
et odothat,I
'
mf ine.
"I
didn'
twantChr
istobother
,ifIgothungryI'
dget
somet
hingf
ormy
sel
f.
"Don'targue,l
it
tl
eone, youhaven'
teaten
anythingsincemor ni
ngandt hati
snotgoodf or
yourheal t
h.Iam goingtobri
ngy ousomet hing
toeatanddr inkandy ouarenotgoingtoar gue
withmeont hat;andonceeverybodyleaves,
youar egoingtosleep,Iknowy oudidn'
tsleep
l
astni ght,
"hestated.
Knowingthatargui
ngwithhim wasfuti
le,I
merelynodded.Hesmiledbeforecuppingmy
cheekandkissi
ngmet enderl
y.Thekisssent
shi
versdownmyspi neandmademef eelhot
al
lover.Asimpleki
ssfrom hi
m wasenought o
meltmei napuddleofl
ustandhor momes.
However
,Ipul
ledawayandbythefr
ownthat
cr
easedhisf
orehead,
Iknewhedidnotl
i
ke
whatIj
ustdi
d.
"Nothere,Chr
is,
Nicoi
shere,
"Iwhi
sper
ed,a
blushspreadi
ngovermycheeksasIgl
ancedat
mybr
otherwhowasbusyt
alki
ngt
oKei
ran.

"
So?y ouar
emywi fe,
Icanki
ssyouwheneverI
want,
whereverIwant
,howev
erIwant
,"he
r
epli
ed.

"
Yes,
butNi
coi
saki
d,
"Iar
gued.
"Idon'tcare,
y ouaremywi fe,
"hecountered.
Thent oprovehi spoint
,hecapturedmylipsin
bone-mel t
ingkiss,andIwould'
vef al
l
enifit
hadn'tbeenf orhim hol
dingmet ohim.
"My.Wife.
"Heenunciat
edeachword,
befor
e
ki
ssingmycheekandexi t
ingt
her
oom, l
eavi
ng
meabr eathl
ess,
blushi
ngmess.

"Keir
an,ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oleav
e,i
t'
sal
most
nine,
"Isai
d.
Keir
anhadst ayedwhi
leBrentonandMr .Pal
mer
l
eftatsix.HeandNicohadbeenconv ersi
ng
non-st
op.Somuchso, thatIwasstart
ingtofeel
j
ealousthatNicowastalki
ngtoKeiranmor e
thanhewast alki
ngt
ome.
"No,l
i
ttlemushroom,Iam goi
ngtost
ayher
efor
theni
ghtwhi l
eyouandChrisgohomeandget
somer est
,"herepl
i
ed.

"No,no,y
oudon' thavetodot hat;
y ouhave
donesomuchal ready
,thanky ouforthat
,byt
he
way,butreal
ly,
youdon' thav
et ostay,Iam
stay
ing,
"Iresponded.
WhenMr .PalmerandBrentont ooktheirl
eave,
I
tol
dChri
st hatweshouldgohomebecausehe
hadtogot oworkint
hemor ning,buthesimply
tol
dmet hathehadtakenthr eedaysofffrom
workandthatwewoul dstaywi thNicoatthe
hospi
tal
.IwasgladthatChrishaddeci dedfor
ust ostay.Ididnotwantt oleavemybr other
aloneaf t
erhej usthadhissurgery,
butIdidnot
tellChri
sthatIwant edtostay,becauseifhe
haddeci dedtogohomet henIwoul dn'
thav e
disagreed.Iwasgoi ngtodomybestt obea
goodwi fe,andt hatmeantputti
ngmy
husband'swi shesbeforemine.

"Rel
ax,
li
tt
lemushr
oom,Itol
dChristhatIwould
staywi
thNic,
youneedy
ourrest
,"heresponded.
Chrisenteredtheroom andimmediatel
ywent
tositonthecouch.Remov i
nghiscoat,he
drapeditatthebackofamet al
chair,
then
remov edhi
sshoesandsocksbef or
el ayi
ng
downont hecouch.
"Chri
s,t
ellKei
rant
ogohome,we'
restay
ing
here.
"Itr
iedmybestnott
osoundtoo
demanding.
"
Chr
is,
youandl
i
ttl
emushr
oom can'
tst
ayher
e.
Younev ersl
eptonthecouchbefore,howare
yougoingtosleepatni
ght?"Kei
ranlookedat
hisbr
otherwithconcer
n.
"Keir
an,Ali
ceandIwillst
aywithNictoni
ght
,but
tomorrowy ou'
l
lst
ay,okay?"Chri
slooked
exhausted,hewasjustabouttofal
li
nadeep
sleep.
"Alr
ight,
we'l
l alt
ernat
e.ButChri
s,i
fyoudeci
ded
togohome, callmeandI '
l
lcome,okay
?Andif
thereisanypr obl
em letmeknowimmediatel
y,
"
Keiranstat
ed.

InoddedmyheadasKei r
anenvelopedmei na
brother
lyhug.Al
lthesemenwer esotal
l,I
barelyr
eachedtheirel
bows.Nextti
me,Iwas
goingtowearhighheelswhenhuggingthem.

Thebat
hroom dooropenedandNicoemer
ged.
Kei
rani
mmediatelywenttohi
m andhel
pedhi
m
al
lthewaybacktohisbed.OnceNicowas
comfor
tabl
e,l
yi
ngflatonthebedreadyt
osleep,
Kei
rangotr
eadytoleave.
"Okaybuddy,
I'm of
f,I
'
llseey oui
nthemorning
andwillmakesuretobr i
ngsomeboar dgames
andDVDswi thme.We' l
lspendtheti
me
watchi
ngmov iesandplayinggames,okay?
"
Keir
ansaidtomybr other.
"
Okay
,youbett
ernotbel
ate,
bye,
goodni
ght
,"
Ni
comumbled,l
ooki
ngsl
eepy.
"Goodni
ght,
buddy.
"Givi
ngmeaf
inal
nod,
Keir
anst
rodeoutofther
oom.
Decidi
ngnott
odist
urbChris,
Iwal kedtothe
chai
randsatdown.Pull
i
ngmykneesup, I
rest
edmyheadonmyar ms.Iknewt herewas
nowayIwouldbeabletofall
asleepinsuchan
uncomfor
tabl
eposit
iom,butrest
ingmyey es
wouldsuf
fi
ce.
"
Lit
tl
edov
e?"Hemumbl
ed.
"
Yes,
Chr
is?
"It
urnedt
ofacehi
m.
"Whyar
eyouovert
her
e,comeher
e,y
ouneedt
o
sl
eep,
"hesai
d.
"
I'
m al
lri
ghther
e,y
ougot
osl
eep,
"Ir
esponded.
"No,comehere,
Iwi
l
lnotsl
eepunt
ily
oucome
here,
"hest
ated.
Sighi
ng,Igotupandwentt ot hecouchandsat
down.Hei mmediatelypulledmedownunt i
lI
waspr essedtohi
sf r
ont.Dr apingathickar
m
aroundmewhi lepl
acingt heot herundermy
head,hekissedmyf orehead.

"
Sleepnow,
youneedi
t,
"hemumbl
ed.

"Chri
s,Ican'
tsl
eepher
e,ther
eisnospaceandI
don'twantyoutobeuncomfort
abl
e,
"I
whispered.
"Iam comfortable,
li
tt
lepeach,nowclosey our
eyesandsleep; anddon'tworryabout
occupyinganyspace, youaretooshortandthi
n
tooccupyanyspace, justperf
ect,
"herepli
ed,
pull
i
ngmecl ose.

Ifthatwassupposedt obemakemeangr y,i

t
didn't.Iwasgladt hathewasnotuncomf or t
able
becauseofme.Ri ghtthen,IwasgladIwas
shor tandthin,becausei twasgivi
ngmean
adv antageinthissmal lspace.Andhim say i
ng
i
twasper fectmademyhear tsoar
.Hiswor ds
putaf i
ssureinthewal lsaroundmyhear t,
maki ngitdiff
icul
tf ormet okeepmyhear ti
n
check.Howev er,Iknewdwel li
ngonthef uture
woul ddomenogoodatt hemoment.Iwoul d
j
usthav etodeal withallthi
sonestepatat i
me.

Soput
ti
ngal
i
donal
lmywor
ri
es,
Icl
osedmy
eyesandgaveintosleep.Thatwast hefi
rst
ti
me,IdreamtofChrisandIwi t
hfourkids,
l
aughingandenjoyi
ngourlives.ButIknewallof
i
twouldbewhati tal
readywas.

Adr
eam.
<3I
nser
t18<3
.
.
.
"
Keepher
..
."
".
..For
ever
..
."If
eltl
ipsbrushi
ngagainstmy
templebeforeIopenedmyey es.Chri
sandI
wer ei
nthesameposi t
ionthatweslepti
nlast
night.
"Goodmorni
ng,
li
tt
lef
air
y ,
"hesai
dbef
ore
pressi
ngaki
sstomyforehead.
"Goodmorni
ng,"Imumbl
ed,
rubbi
ngmyey es.I
satupandsl
ippedonmyshoes,myeyes
l
andingonNicowhowaswideawake.
"Ni
co,howdoyoufeel
?"Iaskedhi
m,myv
oice
soundi
ngli
keacroak.
"If
eelgr
eat,
Keir
angotmeboar
dgamesand
DVDs,he'
sgoingtowat
cht
hem wi
thme,
"he
chi
rped.
"
Didy
oueatbr
eakf
ast
?"Iaskedhi
m.
"Notyet
,butI'
l
l getussomethi
ngt
oeat,
you
waither
e,"herepli
ed,st
andi
ngupand
str
etchi
ng.
"I
t'
sokay ,I
'l
lgetyousomet hi
ngtoeat ,l
etme
j
ustuset hebat hr
oom fi
rst
."Ij
oggedi nsi
dethe
bathroom andhast i
l
ygotridofthelast
remnant sofsleepfrom myeyes.Afterwashing
myf acewi t
hacol dwaterandrubbingsome
toothpasteonmyt eethwithmyf i
nger,Iexi
ted
thebathroom.
"Youstayhere."Igestur
edt ohimtost ayinthe
room whil
eIwentt ogetbr eakfast
."Keir
an,
wouldyoul i
keany t
hingfrom thecafetar
ia?"I
askedKeiran,whowaspl acingahouseont he
Monopolyboar d.
"Li
tt
lemushroom,youseet
hatbasketont
he
chai
r?"Kei
ranaskedme.
Myeyesimmediat
elyl
andedonthechai
rwher
e
t
herewasindeedabasket
,butIhadnoi
dea
whatwasinit
.
"
Yes,
whatabouti
t?"Iquer
ied.
"Therei
spl ent
yoffoodforall
ofusint
here,
and
Helgawillbecomingbyaround1:00pm t
o
bri
ngusl unch,
"hetoldme,rol
li
ngapai
rofdice
i
nhi shand.
Quickl
ywalki
ngtothebasket,Iopeneditupto
seewhatexactl
yhadHelgasentf orus.The
basketwasful
ltothebri
m withvari
ous
assort
mentsofbreakf
astfood.Iwassur pr
ised
andalitt
leconfusedwhenIsawwaffl
esand
pancakesinthemi xaswel
l,
wonder
inghow
hadHelgamanagedt odot
hat.
Taki
ngapaperpl ate,Ifi
ll
editupwithoneof
ever
ythingf
rom thebasket ,t
hentookthepl
ate
toChrisandplaceditont hecouchinfr
ontof
him.ThenItookanot herplat
eandbegunf i
l
li
ng
i
tupf orKei
ran.
"Youhaven'
teat
eny
et,r
ight
?"Iquesti
oned
Keir
an,whowaswatchi
ngNicoroll
thedice.
"No,
Icamest rai
ghther
eassoonasIwokeup,
"
heanswered,watchi
ngNicomovi
nghi
spiecea
fewstepsfor
ward.
"
Her
eyougo.
"Ihandedhi
mthepl
ate.
"HelgaalsomadeporridgeforNi
co.
..
alongwit
h
otherthi
ngs,hecaneatal i
tt
lebi
toft
hat,"
Keiranstat
ed,taki
ngthefakemoneyfrom Ni
co
andput t
ingiti
nthebox.
"
Nico,
woul
dyoul
i
ket
ohav
esomepor
ri
dge?
"
Ni
cowasengrossedi
nthegame,resul
ti
ngi
n
hi
m answer
ingmeaft
erafewseconds.
"
Sur
eAl
i
ce,
"Ni
cor
espondedof
fhandedl
y.
Shakingmyheadatmybr other
'si
ntense
concentr
ati
onIputali
tt
lebitofpor
ridgeina
bowlandplacedi
tnexttotheMonopol oyboar
d.
"Iwantyoutof inishallofit
,okay
?"Itur
nedto
Chri
s, whohadf i
nishedhalfofhi
sbreakfast
.
"Wil
lyourfatherv isi
ttoday?"
Henodded."Yeah,
hemi ghtcome. "Hef rownedwhenhel ol
edat
me."Whyar en'tyoueat ing?"
"OhI'
l
ljusteatanapple,
I'
m notv
eryhungr
y,"I
answeredwithashrug.

Thef r
ownonhi sf
acedeepenedaf t
ermy
answer.Shakinghishead,hestoodupandwent
str
aightforthebasket.Taki
ngapaperpl at
e,he
quickl
yfil
leditupwithwaffl
es,pancakes,
Nutell
a,andmapl esyrup.Wit
houtawor d,Chri
s
t
ookmyhandandledmetothecouchwher
ehe
mademesi
tbefor
esit
ti
ngdownbesideme.
"Whatam Igoi ngt
odowi t
hyou, l
i
ttleone.You
aregoingtokeepmeonmyt oesf orthenext
fewmont hs,"hemutt
eredbeforecutti
ngupt he
pancakeswi thakni
feandfork,
thendi ppingthe
pancakesinmapl esyr
upbeforeraisi
ngt hefork
tomymout h.
"Whatdoy oumeanIwoul dkeepy ouony our
toesforthenextfewmont hs?"Iquest
ioned
beforeopeningmymout h,all
owinghimt osl i
p
theforki
nmymout h.Thedelici
ouspancake
slowlymeltedinmymout h,makingmef or get
whatIwast al
ki
ngtochr
isabout ;mystomach
growledlet
tingmehowanappl ewouldn'thav e
beenenough.
Chrisquicklyf
ini
shedfeedi
ngmet hepancakes.
Itr
iedtot akethefor
kandplatefrom hi
m buthe
sai
dhel ikedfeedi
ngme, whichmademe
uncomf ortabl
easNicoandKei r
anwer einthe
r
oom wit
hus.Aftert
hepancakes,
hepr
oceeded
t
odipthewaff
lesinNut
ell
aandbegunfeedi
ng
i
ttome.
"
ImustthankHelgaf
ort
hefood,i
t'
sdel
i
cious,
"I
mut
ter
ed,chewingonawaf
fle.
"Iknowhowawf ulhospi
talfoodcanbe,soI
hadherprepar
et hebasket
,"Keir
anrepl
i
ed.
"Herfoodisdelicious,butnotasdelici
ousas
yours,
"Chrisstated,sinceri
tyshi
ninginhiseyes
ashef edmeanot herbite.Hiscomplimentonly
mademebl ush, whichhef oundamusi ngashe
chuckled.
Bl
oodysweethusband!
.
"Iam st
arv
ing,
"Keiranstat
edasheopenedthe
basketandtookoutaf ewplat
eswi
thspoons,
kniv
esandf or
ks,passi
ngoneofeachtoallof
us.
Helgahadleftf
iveminutesago,leav
inga
basketcont
aini
nglunch.Mr .Pal
myandBr enton
hadshoweduphal fanhouragoandnowal lof
uswerehav i
nglunchtogether.
Dr.Hall
awayhadcheckeduponNi coandtold
ushewashealingnicel
ywhichhadmesi ghi
ng
i
nr el
i
ef.Godwasf i
nall
yhav
ingmer cyonme,I
j
usthopednothingbadhappenedtohim now.
Theunexpect
edsoundofknocki ngont hedoor
hadallofust
urni
ngtoseewhohadar r
ived.I
fr
ownedasIsawawomanst andingnexttothe
doorholdi
ngasmallbouquetofv ar
iousflowers
andaboxwhichwaswr appedi nacut e
wrappi
ngpaper.
Shewasabout5'4wi t
hgl ossybr
ownhai rthat
werecurl
edtoperfect
ion.Iwasn'tsur
eifthey
werenatur
alorsty
led,buttheywereperfect.
Shehadbigblueeyes,thatweresparkl
ingwi t
h
i
nnocence.Hercheekshadspl ot
chesofpink
thatonegotwhenspendingt oomucht i
meout
i
nt hecold.Herl i
psweresmallbutt
heywer e
notthin,
justperfect
.Shewassocut eandan
uncannyinnocencesur r
oundedher,l
iketheone
yousawi nchildrennotgrownpeopl
e.Shewas
wearingamar oontr
enchcoatwithpair
edwith
thecutestblackanklebootsIhadeverseen.
"Jenny!Whatapleasentsurpr
ise,
"Keir
an
exclai
medbeforeplacinghi
spl at
eont hetabl
e
andwal ki
ngovertoher.Heenv el
opedhersmal l
frameinahug,crushinghertohimlikealover
did.
"
I—IhopeI'
m noti
nter
rupt
ingany
thing,"shesai
d.
Hervoi
cewassoftandsweet,dr
ippingwi t
h
i
nnocence.
Igl
ancedtomyr i
ghtt
oMr .Pal
merf r
owningas
hegazedatKei
ranandJenny,di
sapproval
evi
dentinhi
seyes.WhywasMr .Palmeracti
ng
l
ikethat
?Didhenotli
keJenny?Ithoughtshe
wasperfect
.
"Nonsense,youcannev erint
errupt
,comehave
l
unchwi thus,"Kei
ranstated,t
akingherhand
andleadinghertotheonlyempt ychairi
nthe
room,prett
ymucht hesamewayChr i
sdidto
me.

"
Hell
oNico,
howdoyouf
eel
?"Jennyaskedwi
th
asmil
eonherf
ace.
"If
ellgr
eat
,Jenny ,
woul
dy ouli
ket opl
ay
SnakesandLadder swi
thus?"Nicohadahuge
smileonhi
sf ace.Hecl
earl
yknewwhoJenny
wasandbyt hesmi l
eonhisface,hereal
l
yli
ked
her.
"Not hanky ou,Igotyouapresentandf
lower
s,"
shesai d,handingNicothewrappedboxand
placedt hr
eef l
owersnexttotheSnakesand
Ladder sboard.
"Thankyou,Jenny
,Iloveit
!"Ni
cost
ated,
looki
ng
atthepackagewithexcit
ement.
"Youhaven'
tev
enseenwhatIgoty
ou.
"Jenny
chuckl
ed.
"
Iknowwhatevery
ougotmewouldbeper
fect
,
y
oualwaysknowwhattogetme,
"Ni
co
r
esponded.
NowIwasgettingsuspi
ciousoft
hegi
rl
.Just
whowassheandhowdi dsheknowwhatt o
buyNico?Cur
iosi
tynear
lykil
li
ngme,
Ideci
ded
tofi
ndoutwhoshewas.
"
Whoi
sJenny
?"IaskedChr
is.
"
Shei
sKei
ran'
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
"her
epl
i
ed.
Oh,nowonderKei r
anwassoov er
joyedtosee
her;andNicoknewwhoshewas.Shemustbe
aregularvi
sit
oratKeir
an'slof
t.Aninvol
untar
y
smiletuggedatthecornerofmylipsasIlooked
atKeiranandJenny;t
heylookedper f
ect
together
.
"Thi
sisf
oryou,
"Jennysai
d,handi
ngKei
rana
bigr
edrose.
"Thanks,
str
awberr
y."Heki
ssedhercheeks,
causingt
heblusht
odeepen.
Jennyt
urnedtofaceBrentonandMr .Pal
mer
whoweresitt
ingsi
lent
lyobservi
ngthenewgirl
.
Aft
erafewsecondsofhesi t
ati
onsheshuffl
ed
for
wardandheldoutthreewhit
elil
yflower
s.
"Theseareforyou,Mr.Pal
mer,"Jennysai
d.I
couldtel
lshefelti
nti
midat
edbyBr entonandMr
.
Palmer,butsheshowednof ear.
Mr .Palmertookt heflowerwi t
houtawor d;
i
nspect i
ngthewhi t
epet al
sl ikeonewoul da
strangespecimen.I rr
itat
ionanddi sapproval
fl
ashedi nMr .Palmer'sey esbuthedi dn'
tsaya
wor d.Jenny
, howev er,noticedthathedidnot
l
iket hesmall gi
ftshehadgi venhim.She
pressedherlipst ogetherbef orehanding
Brentonacoupl eofbl uebel l
s.
"Thesear
eforyou,
Ihopeyoul
i
kethem,
"she
saidtoBr
entonwhoeyedt
hefl
owerspr
ett
y
muchl
i
kehi
sfat
herdi
d.
Whatwaswr ongwi t
ht hesemen?Whywer e
theybei
ngsoungr atef
ul?Theyshouldsmil
e
andthankherf orbeingconsider
ateenoughto
bri
nggift
s,nomat terhowbi gorsmall
,f
or
every
one.
Icouldtel
lJennywast r
yingherbestnottol
et
thereacti
onofKeiran'sbrotherandfat
her
affecther
.Isuddenlyfeltsorr
yforthepoorgi
rl
whowast r
yingherbestt obenicebutwas
receivi
ngcoldshouldersinretur
n.
Taki
ngadeepbr eat
h,Jennycameandst opped
i
nfrontofChri
s.Sheheldoutthr
eey el
l
ow
daff
odil
swhichChri
sinmediatel
ytookwitha
smil
eonhisface.
"Ihopey oulikethem,Keirantoldmey oulike
daffodi
ls,"Jennysaid.Iwassur pr
isedather
words.Sheknewt heki
ndoff lowersthatChri
s
l
iked,Ididn'tevenknowt hat!Imental
lyslapped
my
sel
f.
St
upid,
stupi
dAli
ce.Sosel
fi
shand
i
nconsi
derat
e!
"Thankyou,Jenny
,Ilovethem, t
heyare
beauti
ful
;butyoureall
yshouldn'
thave,
"hesai
d,
givi
nghersidehug.
"I
twasnot roubleatall.Thisisatoughti
mefor
youall
,wit
hNi co'ssurgeryandal l
..
.y
oupeopl
e
mustbesowor ri
ed,soIboughtf lowerst
o
cheerever
yoneup, "sher esponded.
Itwasoff
ici
al,t
hisgir
lwasperfect.Wast here
anythi
ngwrongwi t
hthisgi
rl
?!Didshehav ean
evil
boneinherbody ?
!Ihadnocl uepeople
couldbesokind.Chri
sandhisf amilywereki nd,
butthi
sgirl
wasi nacompletel
ydi f
ferentleague.

Jennyfacedmeandasmil
ecreptonher
beaut
if
ul f
ace."
Hell
o,y
oumustbeAli
ce.Kei
ran
andNicohavetoldmesomuchaboutyou,i
t'
s
l
ikeIal
readyknowyou;hi
,I
'm Jenny
."Shehel
d
outherhandformetoshake.
"Ni
cetomeety
ou,Jenny
,andI'm sor
ryt
osay
noonetol
dmeaboutyou,"Ir
epli
edshaki
ngher
hand.
"Ohitdoesn'tmatter
,youhadsomany
i
mpor tantthi
ngsgoingoni ny
ourl
if
e.I'
m gl
ad
thatNicoisallr
ightnow,whenKei
rantol
dme
thenewsIknewIhadcomeandv i
sithi
m,heis
oneofmyf avor
iteki
ds."Shet
oldme.
"Oh,thesearefory ou."Shehel doutaf ew
daisi
esindifferentcolors."Ihadnoi deawhat
kindofflowersy oulikedsoIgoty oudaisies,
theyaremyt hirdfavor i
tefl
ower s.Oh,andIgot
youtheseear ri
ngs.WhenIsawt hem Ij
ust
knewIhadt obuyt hem fory ou.
"It ookthe
fl
ower sandear ri
ngsf rom herwi thasmi l
eon
myf ace.Thisgirlwassosweeti twas
i
mpossi blenott oli
keher .
"Thankyousomuch, Jenny ,Il
ovethem, the
earri
ngsarever
ycute,"Itoldher.Theearrings
weremor eli
kestudswi t
habi gtourquiserose
i
nt hecenterwi
thapear latt
achedt oitwitha
fewsmal l
cryst
alsfi
nishingthelook.
"Okay
, enoughgi
vi
ngpresent
,str
awberr
y,come
andsitdown,havel
unchwithus,
"Kei
ransaidt
o
Jenny.
"Ohwow, Ali
cel
ook,
JennygotmeaX31000! "
Niconearl
yshout
ed,hol
dingupabi
g,color
ful
watergun,l
ooki
ngatitl
i
keonewouldtheir
dream car
.
"
Ipresumeyouwantedthi
s?!
"Ismi
l
edathi
m,
l
i
kingJennyevenmore.
"Yes!I
t'
st hecoolestwatergunint
hewor
ld.
"I
couldtell
Ni cowantedtotryouthi
snewt
oy
ri
ghtthisv erymoment.
"
I'
m gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t,Ni
co,
"Jennysai
d.
"
Ilov
eit
,thanky
ouagai
n.Come,
eatwi
thus,
"
Ni
cost
ated.
"Act
uall
y,Ican'
t,
Ihav
etobeatthestor
eintwo
hours,
may besomeothert
ime,
"Jennyrepl
i
ed.
Keir
an'sfacehardenedandhestrodeovert
o
Jenny.IglancedatChri
sonlytoseehi
m
l
ookingatt hecouplewi
thamusement.Keir
an
l
edJennybackt otheemptychai
randsather
down.
"I
'
lldropyouoff
,butyouaregoingtohavelunch
wit
husandnoar guments,
"Keir
anstat
ed,
quickl
yputt
ingfoodintheplat
eforhi
sgirl
fri
end.
"
Kei
ran,y
ouarenotgoingt
odropmeof
f,I
'
ll
t
akethebus,
"Jennyar
gued.
"Li
kehel
lyouwill
!Iwon'
thaveyousuff
eri
ngi
n
busesandtrai
nswhil
eI'
m heret
otakeyou
anywher
ey ouwanttogo,Iwon'
tal
lowit!
"
Seei
ngKei
ranacti
ngli
kethismademewonder
i
fhehadanidenti
cal
twin.Forasl
ongasIhad
knownKei
ranIhadneverseenhimli
ket
his,
so
bossyanddomi
nating.Tome,hewasl
aidback
andalit
tl
egoof
y,butnotthi
s.
Jenny'
seyesnarr
owedandsheopenedher
mouthtoarguebutonel
ookfrom Keiranhad
hershut
ti
ngup.Shetooktheplatef
il
ledwith
foodfr
om Keir
anandbeguneat i
ng.
"
Ishealway
sli
ket
hiswi
thher
?"Iwhi
sper
edt
o
Chr
is.
Hechuckled."Youhaven'
tseenanythingyet
.He
i
sthreelovesessionsawayfrom i
mpr egnat
ing
her,
notkiddi
ng."Headdedaf t
erseeingmy
shockedexpressi
on.
"It
houghtKei
ranwaslai
dbackandj
oll
y.
"I
conti
nuedtowhisper
.
"Heislai
dbackbutnotwheni tcomestothe
peoleheloves.Heisgoingtolaughandjoke
around,buti
fanyoneofusdoessomet hi
ng
whichhet hi
nksisstupi
d,thenhewouldbe
tr
eatingusexactl
yli
kehewast al
ki
ngtoJenny,
"
Hei
nfor
medme.
"
Evenme?
"Iquer
ied.
"Especial
lyy ouandJennyandBr enton'
s
possiblegirl
friend.Hel ov
esJennyandhel oves
youl i
keasi ster,sohewoul ddoany t
hingt o
protectyou.Justl ikehewi l
lnotal
l
owJennyt o
ri
deabus, hewoul dn'
tall
owy oueit
her..
.nei
ther
ofuswi ll
,
"heanswer ed.
"
Oh.
"
Iwantedtot
akeaf ewmi nutest
odigestt
his
newpieceofi
nformationbutMr.Palmer
cl
earedhi
sthroat
,gainingourat
tent
ion.
"Ij
ustwantt oletyoual
l knowthatIam hosti
ng
afami l
ydinnernextSaturdayandallofyouare
i
nvited,i
ncludingyouJenny .
"Mr.Palmereyed
Jennywhot r
iednottosquirm underhi
sgaze.
"We'
ll
bether
edad.
"Kei
ranandChr
issai
din
uni
son.
Aft
erlunchMr.PalmerandBrentontookthei
r
l
eave,leav
inguswithNico.Si
nceMr .Pal
mer
hadtoldusabouttheupcomingdinner,my
mindbegunswimmi ngwithvari
ousscenari
os
astohowt hi
sdinnerwasgoingtobe.
Ij
usthopedi
twasnotadi
sast
er.
<3I
nser
t19<3
.
.
.

"YousureKeir
anwil
lhavenopr obl
em st
ayi
ng
withNicofort
heni
ght?"IaskedChriswhi
le
unbutt
oningmycoat.
"Ofcoursenot
, t
rustmeKeiranhasnopr
obl
em
stay
ingwithNico,plushehasJennywi
thhi
m,"
herespondedheadingtothebathr
oom.
Asdeci
ded,
Kei
ranwasgoi
ngt
ost
ayt
heni
ght
wit
hNi cowhi l
echrisandIwoul dgobackhome,
whichwedi d.ChrislookedexhaustedsoIwas
gl
adKei ranwaswi ll
i
ngt ostaywithNico.Iknew
hedidnotsl eepwellont hehospi
talcouchlast
ni
ght,ri
chmenl i
kehi m wereusedtosleepi
ngin
comfortablebeds.ButIwasgl adthathemade
aneffortforme.
Heemer gedfr
om thebathroom andst r
ode
towardsme.Oncehewasst andi
ngacoupl eof
feetawayfr
om me, hepull
edinfora
comf or
ti
nghug,t
akingmebysur pr
ise.Ihadno
i
deawhyhewashuggi ngme, butIl
ikedhav i
ng
hisarmsaroundme.
"Si
t.
"Hegentl
ypushedmedownont hebed,but
hedidn'
tst
opunti
lIwaslyi
ngfl
atonthebed
l
ookingathi
m wi
thconfusi
on.
Givi
ngmeasmi l
e,hegotont opofmeand
nuzzl
edmyneck,sparkingpl
easurei
nmycor
e.
Iwould'
vemoanedifhissuddenphysi
cal
aff
ecti
onhadn'
tl
eftmebewi lder
ed.
"
Chr
is,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iaskedsof
tl
y.
"
Kissi
ngyou.
"Andt
oprovehi
spoi
nt,
heki
ssed
t
hecolumnofmyneck.
"
Yes,
butwhy
?"Ienqui
red.
"BecauseIam yourhusband,
"heanswer
ed,
kissi
ngthespotbelowmyear .
"
Yes,
butwhyallofasudden?
"Iqueri
ed,
r
unni
ngmyfingerst
hroughhi
shair
.
"Can'
tahusbandki sshi
swife?"
hemur mured,
beforegrabbingt
hehem ofmyshi r
tand
tuggi
ngit."Taket
hisoff
."Hedemanded,pulli
ng
theshir
tov ermyheadanddiscardi
ngitt
ot he
side.
OnceIwasnakedf r
om thewaistupwithonly
mybr a,heclaimedmymout hinapassionate
ki
ss,runninghishandsovermybarestomach,
i
gniti
ngpl easur
einever
ycellofmybody .Ihad
noideawhyhewasbei ngsotouchyfeelyandI
wantedt oknowwhy .
"Youmakemesohappy."Hewhi
sper
ed,
gli
ding
hisl
ipsdownmyneck.
"
Chri
s,you'
reconf
usi
ngme, pl
easetel
lmewhyI
makeyousohappy?"Iaskedbr
eathl
essl
y.
Withoutawor d,hegr
abbedhiscoatwhichwas
l
yingatt hef ootofthebed.Heslippedhi
s
handsi nsidet hepocketandpull
edoutan
envelopewhi chwasalreadyopened.Removi
ng
afoldedpi eceofpaper ,hehandeditt
ome,
smili
ngf rom eart oear.
Ireadthecontentofthepaperandmyey es
widened,suddenlyIknewthereasonforhis
happiness.Heplacedakissonmyst il
lfl
atbel
ly
,
ri
ghtbelowmynav el
,whil
eIstaredattheword
thatt
oldmewhatheknewal lalong.
Iwaspr
egnant
.
"I
sthatwhyyou'
resohappy?"Iquest
ioned,
a
smil
ebreaki
ngacrossmyface.
"
Yes,
becauseofy
ou.
"Henuzzl
edmyt
ummy
,
maki
ngmel
aughatt
het
ickl
i
shf
eel
i
ng.
"Wel l
,I
'm gladImadey ouhappybybei ng
pregnant,"Isaid,feeli
ngrel
i
eved.If el
tthatnow
thingswer ef i
nal
lywor ki
ngoutforme; my
brotherhadgot t
enhi shear
tfi
xed, andnowI
waspr egnantwi thChr i
sbaby.Ialsohadmoney
forNico'seducat ionandnowIj usthadt oappl
y
foradecentpay ingjobandlookf orahouse
becauset hiscast l
ewasmyhomef ort
henext
elevenmont hsonl y
.
"Notj
usthappy
, ecst
ati
c,Iam goingl
oveyou
becausenowIhav egotyoualltomysel
f.
"He
hasti
l
yremovedmyj eansandmyunder wearin
l
essthanminute,bef
orediscardi
nghiscl
othes
andgetti
ngontopofme.

Hemadesweetl
ovetome,l
ett
ingmesav or
ev
eryi
nchofhi
m.Iranmyhandslei
surel
yover
hi
shar
d,muscul
arbody
,enj
oyi
ngthefeelof
hi
m slowlypumpi
nginandoutofme.Hi m
makinglovetomeforgedanothercr
acki
nmy
hear
t,makingmefall
justali
tt
lemoreforthe
manIwasnotsupposedt o.
Oncewewer edoneandbaskingi
naftergl
owof
ourl
ovemaking,heranhi
shandall
ov ermyski
n,
goosebumpserupti
ngall
overmyskin.
"Iam goingt obewi t
hy ouev erystepoftheway
.
Iwillaccompanyy outoev er
yscan, andIwil
l
takecar eofy ouandourbaby .Youwill
notbe
alone,li
ttl
edov e,youwillneverbealone."He
kissedmyl ipssweet l
y,beforeey ei
ngmy
tummywi thbar el
yconcealedgl ee.
Hiswordsbroughttearsinmyey es,andfor
onceIwishedthatwewoul dbet
oget herf
orev
er
andnotjustf
oray ear.Ireal
lywi
shedt her
ewas
amanl i
kehim outthereforme,Ididn'tt
hinkI
wouldbeabletohandl eanabusi
v ehusband.
"
We'
l
lbegr
eatpar
ent
s,don'
tyout
hink?
"Youar
e
cari
ngandl ovi
ngandy ouknowal laboutt aki
ng
careofkids.AndIwouldl ear
ntohandl eour
babyf r
om you.Onedayy ou'l
lbeondi aperduty
andonedayIwi llbe.Whatdoy outhink? "He
gentlywoundanar m aroundmyt ummy .The
l
itt
legesturehadmyt houghtsconfir
mi ngabout
him beinganamazingfather.Mybellywasst il
l
fl
atandy ethewasal r
eadypr ot
ecti
ngt helif
e
growinginsi
deit.
"It
hinkitwi
l
lbeperf
ect
."Ikissedhi
mtender
ly,
pouringmyhappi
nessi
nt hatoneki
ss.
"Doyouknowt hatIdidnotwantababyj ust
becauseIneededanhei rt or
unmyempi re;but
becauseIwantedtost artafamily,
hav
e
someonetocallmine; someonewhoIwi lll
ook
for
wardtoseeingatt heendoft heday;
someonewhowi l
lgreetmewi t
hasmile
ever
yti
meIcomehomef rom work.
"Hetoldme.
"
Wel
lIwisht
haty
oufi
ndt
hatsomeonef
or
y
our
sel
f,
"Isai
dwit
hut
mostsi
ncer
it
y.
"
Ihav
ealr
eadyf
oundthatsomeone,
"her
epl
i
ed,
r
unni
nghi
shandovermytummy .
.
Timepassedqui ckly,aweekpassedbyi nabl ur
andnowwewer ebringi
ngNi cohome.Chr i
s
hadal r
eadypr eparedar oom f orNicoint he
castle,
andKei ranwascomi ngt ost aywithus
becauseheof feredtobaby sitNi coandmake
surehewast akinghismedi cinesont i
mes.I
toldhimitwasunnecessar ybecauseIcoul d
takecareofmybr ot
her,nott oment ionthe
numberofmai dschr ishadi nt hecast l
e.But
Keirandidn'
tbudge, tell
ingmet hatIwas
pregnantwithhi snepheworni eceandwoul d
needt ofocusmor eonmy selfandt hemai ds
woul dnotplaygameswi t
hNi co.Chr i
shad
agreedwi t
hKei ranandst ri
ct l
yt oldmet ot ake
careofmy self.
OnceChri
stoldmet
hatIwaspregnant
,itdi
dn'
t
t
akelongforhi
mtotel
lthewhol
efamil
y.Sohis
f
atherchangedt
he
monthlyfamil
ylunchtoacelebr
atoryl
unchand
hadinvi
tedthewholePalmerfamily
,which
i
ncludedallofchr
isuncl
es,aunt
sandcousins.
Nowher ewewer edressingupt ogot olunch
overatMr.Palmer'
splace.Chr i
shadgi v
enf i
ve
maidsstri
ctsorder
sregar dingNico.Al
lfiveof
them wouldst
aywi t
hNi count i
lwecameback,
andifNicowantedtoplaygamest heywoul d
obli
gehim andplaywithhi m.
Iwasal i
tt
lereluctantt
ol eav
eNi coal
onewi th
themaidswhenhehadj ustcamebackf rom
thehospit
al,butIalsoknewt hatMr.Palmer
washost i
ngt hi
slunchbecauseofme, andI
coul
dn'tcancelbecauseChr iswholefamily
wouldbet hereandIwoul dneverembar r
ass
him.
"
Your
eadytogo? "Chri
sasked,emer
gingf r
om
t
hewal
k-i
nclosetlooki
ngasifhewasr eadyto
gof
oraphot
oshoot
.
"
Yes,
let'
sgo."Grabbingmyclut
chformthe
t
abl
eIfoll
owedhi m outofourr
oom and
t
owardsthecar.
Throughouttheri
de,Iwasaner v
ouswr eck.
Everyti
memyhandwoul dreachmyneckonl yto
fi
ndnoneckl acet
here,Iwouldbedi
sappoi nt
ed.
Rightthen,
Iwasfeelingt
helossofthe
necklacesomuch, Iwascursi
ngthefactthatit
broke.
Wear ri
vedatMr .Pal
mer'sestat
eaf t
erthi
rt
y
minutes.Theestatewashugebutt he
archi
tecturewasnotofthiscentur
y;itwasold,
veryold.However,i
twasbeaut i
ful
,andIcould
easil
ypictureamanl i
keMr .Pal
merlivi
nghere.
Chri
sandIenter edthehouseandmyey es
widenedatseeingthenumberofpeopleinthe
house..
.morel
ikethenumberofmeni nthe
house.It
'sl
i
kef emalesdidn'
texi
sti
ntheplace.
Ev erywher
eIlookedthereweremalesof
var i
ousageandsize,
alldressedi
nshir
tsand
slacks.
Keirancameandslappedchr i
satthebackin
acknowledgement
.Givi
ngmeabr other
lyhug,
heshoutedtoevery
onet hatguestofhonorwas
here,whichdi
dn'
thelpeasemyanxi et
yonebit.
"Jennyi
sovert
her
e."Kei
ranpoi
ntedtowher
e
Jennysatl
ooki
ngasuncomfort
ableasIwas
feel
ing.
Givi
nghim agrat
efulsmil
e,Iqui
ckl
ywentover
toJenny.Rel
i
efspreadthroughherf
aceonce
shesawme.Gi vi
ngmeasweetsmi l
e,Jenny
stoodupandhuggedme.
"ThankGody ou'
rehere,Iwasfeeli
ngsostrange
beinginthemiddleofal
l t
hesemen, haveyou
everseenthi
smanymeni nonefamily
?"She
queri
ed,gazi
ngther oom swarmingwithmen.
"
Ihadnoi
deachr
isonl
yhadmal
esi
nthe
f
ami
l
y,"Ir
emar
ked.
"Hi
sauntsarei
nthekit
chenprepar
inglunch,
andIdon'
tthi
nktheyhaveanyfemalecousins,
"
Jennyr
esponded.
Justthentwofemalescamet rot
ti
ngdownthe
stai
rs.AssoonastheysawJennyandIt hei
r
facebrokeouti
ntohugegrins.Theyj
ogged
towardsusandenvelopedusinhugs.
Boththefemal
eswer ever
ypr et
ty.Theonewho
huggedJennyhadacy l
i
ndricalf
igurewithwavy
bl
ondehairandgreeneyes.Whiletheonewho
wasgr i
nni
ngatmehadcur lydarkhairandbl
ue
eyes.
"
OhmyGod, f
inal
ly
,gi
rl
sinthef
amily.
"Theone
whowashuggingmeshri
ekedexci
tel
y.
"Andbestofal
l,
they
'r
enotol
dert
hanus!
"The
otheronesai
d.
"
Hi,
I'
m Chl
oeandt
hisi
sMaddi
e,
"Chl
oesai
dto
me.
"Ni
cetomeety ou,ChloeandMaddi
e,I
'
m Al
i
ce,
chr
iswif
e."Ii
ntroducedmy sel
f.
"
AndI
'
m Jenny
,Icamewi
thKei
ran,
"Jennysai
d.
"Aah,you'
ret
hegir
lf
ri
endKeir
ancan'tst
op
talki
ngabout
,"Maddi
estat
ed,causi
ngJennyt
o
blush.
"Andy ouaret heguestofhonor,I'
m gladto
fi
nallymeety ou.Comel et
'sgot omyr oom,
thereissti
l
l plent
yoft i
meunt i
ll
unch."Chloe
spottedchri
ssi tt
ingwithafewguy s."HeyChris,
I'
mt akingyourwi feandKeir
an'sgir
lfri
endtomy
room, don'
tassembl easearchpar t
y,"shesaid
beforetaki
ngmyhandandl eadingmeupt he
stai
rs.
"
Youl
i
veher
e?"IaskedChl
oe.
"
No,
"sheanswer
ed.
"
Thenhowcomey ouar
etaki
ngust
oyour
r
oom?"Iquer
ied.
"Oh,
thi
sismyroom whenIv
isi
tuncl
eBr
ian,
"
sheanswer
ed.
"
Who?
"Jennyasked.
"Uncl
eBri
an,Kei
ran'
sfat
her
,"Chl
oeresponded,
openi
ngthedoortoherr
oom let
ti
ngusalli
n
befor
eshutt
ingt
hedoor.
"Si
tanywhereyoul
ike.
"JennyandIsatonthe
bed,r
ightacr
ossfr
om ChloeandMaddie.
"
So,howdidy oul
i
ket
hef
ami
l
yful
lofmen?
"
Maddieasked.
"
Uncomf
ort
abl
e,
"Jennyanswer
ed.
"
Youhavenoideahowhappywear ethatyou
twoar
ehere.I
tgetssobor
ingherewithal
lthe
menandnootherfemal
e,i
t'
sjustMaddieandI,
"
Chl
oecomment ed.
"Butitmustbenicehavi
ngsomanyment
o
protecty
ou,"Ist
ated.
"
Uh,
noi
tisn'
t.Chl
oeandIcannev
erhav
e
boy f
ri
ends.Onet imeIwasdat ingthisguyand
mybr othersfoundout ,
theyli
teral
lybeatthe
guyt oapulpandgr oundedmef orthree
mont hs.Now, Iam notal l
owedt ogot oany
club,andifIwantt ogot oacl ub,Imustgot o
thatboringonenearmyhouseandhav etotake
mybr othersalong,"Maddi esaid,r
esentment
drippi
ngf r
om herwor ds.
"Iagree,hav
ingamal edominantfamilyi
s
anythingbutfun.Theguysallt
reatyouli
ke
you'r
emadeofexpensi vechina.Il
ikedLizzi
e,at
l
eastshehadt hegutst
ostandupt oallofthem
andbet ruetotheloveofherli
fe,
"Chloestated.
"Yeah,
butl
ookwhathappened,shegotkicked
outofthef
amily
,nowpeopleareforbi
ddento
evensayhername,
"Maddieresponded.
"Yes,butatl
eastshegotout
.IfIhav
eaguythat
trul
ylovesme,Iwil
lrunawaywithhi
m,"Chl
oe
said.
"Hey
, y
oucan'
tleavemeal
lal
oneher
e,y
ou'
real
l
Ihave,
"Maddi
er epl
i
ed.
JennyandIgav eeachotherpuzzl
edgl ances,
askingt hesamequest i
on:whowasLi zzie?And
wher ewasshe?Whatwasherhi stor
ywi ththe
Palmerf ami l
y?Chri
snevertol
dmeabouta
Lizziebefore;well
henevertol
dmeabout
any onebefore,andIhadafeeli
ngthatifIwould
askaboutLi zziefr
om Chri
shewoul dnotbe
veryf or
thcoming.
"Ohwe'r
esohorr
ibl
e."Maddi
eslappedher
for
ehead."
Congr
atul
ati
onsaboutthebaby
,
you'
ll
begivi
ngbi
rtht
oanotherPalmerboy,
"she
sai
d.
"
Itcoul
dbeagi
rl
,"Ir
esponded.
"Iwish,butthisfamil
yiscursed;
thewomenof
thi
sf amil
yalway s,andImeannintyni
ne
percentofthet i
mes, gi
vebirt
htoboys,gi
rl
sare
ararity
.Inthisgenerati
on,weonlyhaveChloe,
Li
zzi
eandIasgir
ls,t
herestareboys,andsince
Li
zzi
eisgonei
t'
sjustustwo,"Maddiestat
ed.
"Wow,andy
ouguy
sbel
i
evei
nthi
s?"Jenny
asked.
"I
t'
shardnotto,si
ncenint
yfiv
epercentofour
ancest
orsaremal es,
thef
emalesareonlythe
wivesandtheraredaught
ers,
"Chl
oerepli
ed.
WellIdidnotbel
iev
ethisfamil
ywascursed.
AndsinceIwasat emporarywomaninthis
famil
y,Ibel
ieveIwoul
dgivebirt
htoagir
l.Chl
oe
andMaddi etal
ki
ngaboutthefamil
ybei
ngmal e
dominantmademewi sht hatmybabywasa
gir
l.
"
Whoi
sLi
zzi
e?"Jennyquest
ioned.
"Oohh,wecan'ttel
lyouwhoshewasr el
atedt
o,
becausesincethedayLizzi
egotkickedoutof
thefamily
,ever
ybodysaidthatLi
zziewasnever
partofthefamil
yandnooneshoul dassociat
e
herwiththefamily
,especi
all
ytotheonesshe
wasact
uall
yrelat
edto;butwecantel
lyouthat
shewasourcousinandwasat ot
albadass,
"
Chl
oeanswered.
Thisfamil
ywassowei rd,hadsomanysecr et
s.
Therewasamy steri
ouswomanont hesev enth
fl
oorofthecast le,t
herewasanempt yarchive
aisl
eregardingthatsamewoman, andnow
ther
ewast hisLizzi
ewoman, justhowmany
secret
sdidt hisfamilyhad?Andwoul dIbeabl e
tofi
gurethem al loutinlessthanay ear?
Ihopeso.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t20<3
.
.
.

Ast r
angefeeli
ngofanxietybegunbrewing
i
nsidemeasIwat chedNicodressi
ngup.I
couldn'
tbel
ieveit
,hewasgoi ngtoschool today.
Allhisl
i
fe,Nicowantedtobel i
keotherkids,go
toschoolandgetapr opereducati
onsohe
couldbecomeadoct or,andnowhewasf i
nall
y
getti
nghiswish.Theonlythi
ngwas, Iwas
afr
aidtosendhimt oschool.
NicoandIhadnev erbeenseparatedforlong,
andnowhewasgoi ngtostayintheschool for
sevenhours.Whatifsomethinghappenedt o
himinmyabsence?Woul dtheschool i
nform
me?Ev enthough,af
terthefi
rstf
ollowupt wo
weeksago, t
hedoctorhadtoldust hatNico
wasper f
ectl
yfi
neandwasr eadyt ogot o
school
,Iwasst i
l
lworri
ed.
Ithadbeenamont handahal fsi
nceNi cohad
hissur gery,andinthepastf ewweeks, wehad
gotNi coadmi ssi
oninal ocal gr
ammarschool ,
andt odaywashi sfirstday.Itwasstrange,I
wasf eelingsowor r
iedaboutsendi ngmy
brothert oschool,whatwoul dIdowhenIhadt o
sendmyownbabyt oschool ?Ineededt ostop
worrying, t
heschool hadav erygoodand
secureenv i
ronment ,Nicowoul dbesafet here.

"
Ali
ce,wher
eismyschool
bag?
"Ni
coasked,
l
ooki
ngaroundf
orhi
sbag.
"
It
'si
nthedini
ngroom,y
ouwi l
lhavebreakf
ast
t
henI'
ll
accompanyyoutoschool,
"Ianswered.
"
ButIt
houghtIwoul
dgoi
ntheschool
bus,
"
Ni
cosai
d.
"
Youwil
l f
rom t
omorrow,t
odayI'
l
laccompany
y
ouwiththechauff
eur,
comeony oudon'
twant
t
obelate.
"Iusher
edNicooutofhisr
oom and
i
nthedi
ningr
oom.
"Wher
eischri
s?"Nicoasked,
sit
ti
ngdownon
oneofthechai
rs.
"Heisatwor
k,hehadtogoearl
y,hadthi
svideo
confer
encet
hingwit
hafor
eigninvest
or,
"I
repl
i
ed.
Thedoorofthedini
ngroom openedandKeir
an
saunter
edin,
smili
ngwidely.Iwassur
pri
sedto
seehim asChri
sdidn'
ttel
lmehewoul dbe
coming.
"HeyNi
c,readyforyourf
ir
stday,l
it
tl
eman?
"
Keir
anasked,si
tti
ngnexttoNico.
"
Yeah,
Iam goi
ngtobei
nthef
if
thgr
ade!
"Ni
co
t
oldhi
m,gr
inni
ng.

"Wow,youareonesmar
tfell
a,
"Keir
an
commented."Goodmor
ning,l
it
tl
emushr
oom.
"
Kei
ransai
dtome.
"Goodmor ni
ng,whatar
eyoudoi
nghere?Chri
s
didn'
ttel
lmey ou'
dbecomingov
er,
"Istat
ed.
"I
sn'
titobvi
ous?IcametodropNi
coofft
o
school,
thechauf
feuri
sal
readywai
ti
ng,
"Kei
ran
answered.
"Thankyou,Keir
an,
butt
herei
snoneedfort
hat.
I
'm goingtodropNi
cooff
,soyoudi
dn'
thaveto
bother
,"Isai
d.
"
Don'tbesil
l
y,I'
l
laccompanyyoubot
h."Whi
le
munchingonasliceofbr
ead,
Keir
anstoodup
f
oll
owedbyNi co.
"
Let'
sgo,Al
i
ce,
Idon'twantt
obel
ateonmy
f
ir
stday,
"Ni
costat
ed.
Iwasaboutgr abNico'sbagbuthebeatmet oi
t.
"I
t'
sokay ,Al
ice,nowmyhear tisf
ixed,
youdon'
t
havet ocarr
ystuffformeany more.
"Nico
sl
ippedhisar msinthebagst r
apsbefore
str
idingoutofthediningroom wi
thmeand
Keiranfol
lowingbehind.
Sli
ppingi nsidethecar ,allthreeofusdroveto
Nico'sschool .Theexci tementt hatNi
cowas
feel
ingwaspal pableashegazedoutoft he
window, abeautif
ul sparkleinhiseyesthatI
hadnev erseenbef orebutnev erwanteditt
o
exti
ngui sh.Hekeptonaski ngKeiranquesti
ons
aboutwhatschool wasl ikeforhim,andKeiran
answer edev erysingleoneofhi squesti
ons,not
seemi ngt heleastbitbot hered.
Intwentymi nuteswearri
vedoutsi
deofagi ant
bri
ckbui l
ding.Nicowastednoti
mei nget
ting
outandr unningtowardstheent
ranceofthe
school.Ihadt ocall
outtohimtostophimf rom
dashi
ngahead.
"
Okay,now,becarefulandbegood, nopi cki
ng
f
ight
s,andifany
onehur tsyouorany t
hingy ou
t
ellt
heteacheri
mmedi atel
y,andtr
ynott oex er
t
y
oursel
ftoomuch, okay?"Ii
nstr
uctedNi co,my
t
onestern.
"
Don'
twor
ry,
Ali
ce,
I'
ll
begood,
"Ni
coassur
ed
me.
"Okay,good,nowwhereisyourteacher.
"I
l
ookedar oundtoseeanyteacherstandi
ng
outsi
de.Thankful
ly,
Isawtheteacherwhohad
metwi thuswhenwehadf ir
stcomeher efor
Nico'
sadmi ssi
on.Ii
mmediatelywentoverto
her,whenshesawusshegav eawi desmil
e.
"Hel
lo,
goodmorning,Ni
co,wel
comet
othe
school
,"Mi
ssHardingssai
d.
MissHardingwasasweetwomani nhermid-
twenti
eswithaubur nhai
randgrayeyes.She
hadbeenv erygoodt ousandhadanswer edal
l
myquest i
onsr egar
dingNico'
seducat
ionwith
utmostpatience.Shehadeasedallmydoubts
andwor r
iesandIwascomf or
tabl
etal
kingto
her.
"Thankyou,MissHardi
ngs,"Nicosai
d,bouncing
onhistoes.Icoul
dtell
thatNicocoul
dn'twaitto
gotoclass.
Nicotur
nedtomeandgav emeat i
ghthug,
befor
epeckingmycheek."
ByeAl
ice,Ihav
eto
gotoclassnow.Wi
llyoucometopickmeup?"
"Ofcoursebuddy
,I'
l
lcometopickyouupf
or
school
,"Isai
dbutKeir
ani
nter
vened.
"Act
uall
y,I
'
llcometopi cky ouup,yoursi
sterwi
ll
bealit
tl
ebusy ,
"Kei
ranst ated,makingmef r
own.
Niconoddedandhur r
iedi nsi
de.

OnceNi covani
shedfrom mysi ght
,Iturnedmy
att
enti
ont oMissHardings."Wouldyoukeepan
eyeonhi m,andpl
easecal lmeimmedi atel
yif
anythi
nghappens."It
oldher.

Shenoddedwi
thasmi
l
e."
Don'
twor
ry,
Mrs.
Pal
mer,Ni
coissaf
ehereandwewill
cont
act
youi
fsomethi
nghappens,y
ouhav
enothi
ngto
worr
yabout
,"sher
epl
ied.
Noddingmyhead, Ibidhergoodbyeandwalked
outoftheschoolbuil
dingwithKei
ranbesi
de
me.Onceweset tl
edi nthecar,
IaskedKei
ran
thequesti
onthathadent er
edmymi ndassoon
ashespokeupi nfrontofNico.
"
WhatmadeyouthinkIwil
lbetoobusyt
opi
ck
Ni
coupf
rom school?
"Iasked.
"Di
dyoufor
get,
youhav
eyourf
ir
stscant
oday
?"
Kei
ranr
emindedme.

"OhmyGod, It
otal
l
yforgotitwastoday."I
couldn'
tbel
i
ev eIhadforgot
tenallaboutit
.I
didn'
tevenremindchr
islastnight
.
"
It
'sokay,
chri
srememberedandtol
dmetopi
ck
Ni
coupf r
om school
becauseyouwoul
dbeat
t
hedoctor'
s,
"Keir
aninf
ormedme.
"
Right
,wow,
thankGodher
emember
ed,
"Isai
d.
"Ofcoursehewouldremember,
hehadthedate
markedonev er
ysingl
ecal
enderheowns,put
alar
msonhi sphoneandhadhisPAremind
him,"Kei
rani
nformedme.

"
Wow, Ididn'
tthinkChr
iswouldtakesuch
measuresregardingascan,
"Icomment ed.
"
Youhavenoi
dea,
li
tt
lemushr
oom,
"Kei
ran
mut
ter
ed.
.
Chrisar
ri
vedat11o' clockpreci
sel
y.Hegav e
meat enderki
ssbefor etel
l
ingmetogetr eady.
Ihaddonnedonmyt r enchcoatbefor
e
grabbi
ngmywal l
etandexi ti
ngtheroom with
hi
m.

Thr
oughoutt
her
ide,
myhear
tkeptt
hunder
ing
againstmychest .Iwasnerv
ousaboutt his,
extremelynervous.Aheavyfeel
ingsettl
edin
thepi tofmystomachaswegotcl oserand
closertothehospital
.Mymindkeptcomi ngup
withoner i
dicul
ousscenari
oaf t
ertheother,
maki ngmewantt othr
owup.
Iglancedt omylefttoseeChrissi
tt
ingcalmly,
notl ooki
ngtheleastbi
ttroubl
edaboutallof
thi
s.I tal
waysimpressedmehowcal m andcool
her eall
ywas.Ihadnev erseenhimlosecontr
ol.
Itwasi mpressi
ve.

Asifsensi
ngmygazeonhi m, het
urnedt ome
andgavemeasof tsmil
e.Thatsmileaffect
ed
memor ethani
tshould'
ve.Thatsmallsmile
wasenoughtoeasesomeofmywor r
ies.
"Ner
vous?
"Heasked,
thesof
tsmi
l
enotl
eav
ing
hisf
ace.
"
Howdi
dyouknow?
"WasIt
hatt
ranspar
ent
?
"
It
'swri
tt
enall
ov ery
ourface.Nottomenti
on
t
hatyoukeeptouchi
ngyourneck."Het
oldme.

"Oh,Ididn'treali
zeIwasdoingt hat,
"I
respondedsheepi shl
y.Iwasreall
ymi ssi
ngmy
necklace.Ev eryti
meIgotnervous,thenecklace
wast hef i
rstthingmyhandwentt o,andnow
event hought henecklacewasgone, mymi nd
wasst il
lprogrammedt ohavemyhandt ouch
myneckev eryt
imeIwasner vous.

Hetookmyhandi nhisandgavei
tareassur
ing
squeeze."
Don'
tworry
, ev
ery
thi
ngwil
lbeallr
ight
,
tr
ustme,"hesai
d.
Inoddedandwatchedast hechauf feurparked
thecarint
hehospit
al par
kingl ot
.ChrisandI
exi
tedthecarandwalkedi nsi
det hehospital
.
Assoonast hesmellofdisinfect
antssli
thered
upmynose, awaveofanxi etyhitmef ul
lforce.
Rightthen,Iwantednothi
ngmor ethentomake
amaddashoutoft hehospi
tal
.Ididn'
twantt
o
dot hi
s,whatifther
ewassomet hingwrongwith
thebaby ?

I
twasl i
kechriscouldsensemyi nnert urmoil,
becausenosoonerhadIt houghtaboutr unni ng,
hehadgot t
enaf ir
m holdonmywr i
standl ed
met otherecepti
on.Aftertell
i
ngt heladyt hat
wehadappoi ntmentwithDr .Hubble,and
gett
ingtheinfor
mat i
onaboutherof f
ice,chr i
s
l
edmedownt hecorri
dorandi ntheel evator.

"
Whyar eweseeingadi
ff
erentdoct
or?Whynot
t
heoldone, t
heonewhom wewenttolast
t
ime?"Iaskedhi
m astheelev
atorsl
owly
movedup.
"
Idi
dnotli
kethatdoct
or,
Ili
ket
hisonesot
hat
'
s
why
,"heanswered.
Theelev at
ordoorsopenedandheledmei nt
o
anothercorri
dor.Ther
ewereafewdoor son
thi
sf l
oor.Hestoppedinfr
ontofthethi
rddoor
andknocked.Asweetf emini
nevoicetol
dusto
enterbeforehepushedthedooropenand
str
odei nsi
de.
Dr.Hubble'sroom waslikeast andar
droom
withahospi t
albedagainstonewal l,
an
ult
rasoundmachi nenextt othebed.Dr.
Hubble'sdeskwasagai nsttheoppositewallof
theonewi ththehospi
tal bed.Alli
nallt
heroom
wasr eall
ysmal l
andplain.

Whenshesawus, Dr.Hubblestoodupt ogreet

chrisandI.Shewasaf air
lyt
allwomanwi th
blondehair,
browney esandaradiantsmil
e; she
wasal it
tl
eont hecurvysi
de,butthatonl
y
addedt oherbeauty
.
"Sofi
rstscan,ner
vous? "Sheaskedme, handing
meagownt ochangei nto.Itookthegownf r
om
herwithanodofaf f
irmat i
onandqui ckl
y
changedintoi
tinthebat hroom beforeexit
ing
andlayingdownont hebed.
Nervesattackedmeonceagai nasIst aredat
theult
rasoundmachi neast hedoct orfiddled
withit
.Chriscameandst oodnextt ome,
holdi
ngmyhand.I twasint imesl i
ket hiswhenI
wasgl adIwasn'tal
one,hispr esencegav emea
str
angesenseofcomf or
t,somet hingIcoul dn'
t
getusedtoev enifIwantedt o.

"Al
ri
ght ,
youguysready?"Dr
.Hubbl
egaveus
anotherradi
antsmil
e,befor
eshi
fti
ngher
att
entiontothemachine.
"
Yes,
"heresponded.Hi
sgri
ponmyhand
t
ight
enedashestaredatt
hebl
ankscr
een.
Dr
.Hubbl
emov
edmygownaway
,exposi
ngmy
stomachbeforegr
abbi
ngaplast
icbott
le.She
squir
tedaglobofcol
dgelont
omyst omach
befor
espreadi
ngthegelwi
thawand.

"
It
'snott
oocol
d,i
sit
?"Sheaskedme.
"Nodoct
or,
"Ir
epl
i
ed,
myhear
tdr
ummi
ngi
nmy
chest
.
Soonenought hescreenstart
edshowinga
bl
ackandgr aypict
ure.Icoul
dn'tmakemuch
outofitasi
tlookedsplotchyandkindofbl
urr
y.
Dr.Hubblemov edthewandar oundbef
ore
stoppi
ngatonespot .
"There,
seethat."Dr.Hubblepoint
edatal i
tt
le
blobwithwhatlookedt obeahead." Thati
s
yourbaby,youar eexactl
yeightweeksand
threedaysalong,"sheinf
ormedus.

I
twasl
i
kenot
hingel
seexi
stedexceptf
ort
he
baby.Icoul
dn'ttearmyey esawayf r
om the
screenasIlookedatmybabyf orthefi
rstt
ime.
Myhear tcl
enchedi njoyandpai n.Joyat
knowingthatthi
spr eciouslit
tlebabywasi nsi
de
meandpai natknowi ngt hatitwoul dbe
i
mpossi bl
eformet opartwi t
hi twhenthetime
came.
Suddenly,t
hethoughtofbei ngjustacar r
ierof
thi
sbabydi dnotsitwellwit
hme.Icoul dn'tgi
ve
upthisbaby,notnow, notever;
whatwasI
thi
nkingwhenIsi gnedthecontract.Icouldn't
giv
et hi
sbabyup.I njustafewseconds, t
his
babyhasownedmyhear tandIknewt hatI
couldn'
tli
vewithouthim orher.

"I
t'
stooearl
ytodeter
minethesexoft
hebaby,
butwouldyouli
ketoheart
heheart
beat?
"Dr.
Hubbleenqui
red.
"
Yespl
ease,
"Chr
isr
epl
i
ed,
hisv
oicet
hickwi
th
emot
ion.
Inanotherfewseconds,theroom wasfil
l
ed
withastrongbeati
ngsound.Mybr eat
hhi t
ched
asIheardthesound,try
ingtomemor iseit
.Ifel
t
chrisbr
ushinghi
sthumbov ermycheek.I
glancedathist
humbt oseei twaswet.Ididn'
t
reali
zeIwascryi
ng.
"Thisi
syourbaby
'shear
tbeat
,it
'sst
rongand
steady
,"Dr
.Hubblei
nfor
medus.
"Youhearthat
,li
tt
lef
air
y,t
hisi
sourbaby
's
heart
beat.
"Chri
sbentdownandkissedme
deepl
y.
"Wouldyoul
i
keapr
intoutoft
hescan?
"She
asked.
"Yesplease.
"OnceagainChri
sresponded,i
t
wasl i
keIhadlosttheabi
l
ityt
ospeak.Ijust
couldn'
tbeli
eveit
,seei
ngmybabyhadmade
mesohappy .
Dr
.Hubbl
equi
ckl
ypr
int
edoutt
hescanand
handedi ttoChr
is.Aftertel
l
ingmeallabout
pregnanciesandprescri
bingmesome
prenantalvit
ami
nswebi dDr.Hubbl
egoodbye
unti
lthenextscan.
Onceinthecar,Chri
stookoutthepri
ntsf
rom
theenvel
opeandgazedatitwithsomuchl oveI
wantedtocry.Hiseyeswer
eshi mmeri
ngwi t
h
l
ov eandhappinessandhi
slipswerecurv
edina
hugesmile.
"He'
sbeaut
if
ul,
isn'
the?
"Heshowedmet
he
pict
ure.

"Yes,buti
tcoul
dbeagi r
l,
"Isai
d,eyei
ngthe
pict
urewithbar
elycont
ainedhappi
ness.
"
It
'sgoi
ngtobeaboy ,
I'
m sureofit.Youmust
t
akegoodcareofyour
selff
rom nowon, okay
,
l
i
ttl
epeach?
"Hekissedmyf orehead.
"Yes,
Iwi
ll
,"Isai
dwi t
hconvi
cti
on.AndIwas,
I
wasnotgoingtoletany
thi
nghappentomy
baby.
"
We'r
ehavi
ngababy,
li
tt
ledove.
"Itwasl
i
kehe
wast
hehappi
estmanal
ive.
Inoddedandbitmyli
ptostopmy selff
rom
cryi
ng.Seei
ngthebabyhadseal
edmydeci si
on
forme,buti
thadalsoputmeinapr edi
cament.
IknewthatIcoul
dn'
tli
vewit
houtmybaby .
Howint
hewor
ldwasIgoi
ngt
opar
twi
thmy
baby
?

TheCEO.
.
<3I
nser
t21<3
.
.
.

Twomor eweekspassedandmyl i
fehadbegun
tofal
l i
ntoaroutine.Exceptforthegrowing
bumpi nmyt ummy ,t
herewasnotmucht hat
washappeni ng.Somepeopl emightbebor edof
themonot onyintheirli
ves,butIlovedi
t.Itwas
sopeacef ul
,Ihadnot hi
ngtowor ryabout,
exceptforwhenNi cowasgoi ngtogethome
from schoolandwhenwoul dchriscomehome
from work.
Chri
s, forhispar thadbeent hebesthusband
anyonecoul deverwishf or .Notonlyhadhe
beenpay i
ngmemor eat tent i
onthatusual,
he
wasal sost arti
ngt oopenupt omer egardi
ng
hi
slifeandt hethingshedi d.Henol onger
tr
eatedmel i
keat empor arywomani nhislif
e,
butinsteadt reatedmel i
kesomeonewhom y ou
wantedt ost aywi t
hfor ever.Iknewt hati
twas
notgoingt ohappen, soont heti
mewoul dcome
formetoleav
eandhewoul dfi
ndamor e
suit
abl
ewomanf orhi
m.Ijustwishedt
hathe
wouldbehappywit
hher.

Allinall,
thepastf ewweekshadbeen
wonder fulforme.Thi swast hefir
sttimein
foreverthatIhadf eltpeaceanddi dnothavet o
wor ryaboutNi coandhi sdet er
iorati
nghealth,
nordi dIhav etowor ryaboutmynextmeal or
wisht hatpeopl ewoul dgi vemeani ceti
p.Now
allIneededt owor ryaboutwast ofinda
suitablejob,whichwoul dbeext remelydi
ffi
cult
duet omyl essthanimpr essiveresumeanda
twobedr oom apar tment ,whichIwoul dbegoi ng
backt oEastEndf or,sincet heyhadcheap
apar t
ment s.

ThePalmers,t
omysupr
ise,
wer ebei
ng
i
ncredi
blyni
cetome,
exceptforChri
sfat
her
whowasal waysbei nghisbroodingselfandnot
sayingmor ethant wowor dst omeatonet ime.
Brentonwaswar mingupt omeandt al
kedt o
mel ikeonewoul dnormal l
yt al
ktoafri
endand
hadnotbeenhi susualdomi nati
ngself
.Keiran,
ont heotherhandhadmanagedt ogetaspeci al
placeinmyhear t
;notonlywasheext remely
sweetandcar ingtowar dsNico,Iwasst ar
ti
ng
toseehi m asanol derbrother.
Howev er,therewasonet hingt
hathadme
puzzled: Lizzi
e.Justwhowassheandwhat
exactlyhadshedonet odeser vethewr athof
thepal mer s.Imean, ChloeandMaddi ehadt ol
d
met hatshechoset heloveofherl i
feov erher
famil
yandt hatwaswhyshehadbeenbani shed
from thef ami l
y,butIwant edtoknowexact l
y
whoshewasandwhoshewasr el
atedt o.And
sofar, Ihadnocl ue.WhenJennyandIhad
wentdownt ot hedini
ngr oom withChloeand
Maddi e,thatwast helasttimewedi scussed
Lizzi,i
nChloe'
sr oom.Af t
erthedi
nner,
which
wasspect acularandwoul dbeoneofmymost
cher i
shedmemor y,
ChloeandMaddi est
arted
tell
ingusaboutt herestofthefamil
ymember s
andt hetopicofLizzi
ewascl osedforgood.

NowIj ustsatinmyr oom, thinkingaboutwhat

t
odonext .Ni
cowasatschool andchri
swasat
work,soIdidn'thaveany t
hingt odo.Butsince
t
hought sofLizzi
ehadbar el
yl eftmymindsince
t
henightoft hedinner,may beIcoul dgointhe
l
ibr
aryandsear chthear chivesorsomet hi
ng.
Sli
ppingmyshoeson, Il
ef tmyroom andmade
mywayt ot
hel i
brary.Al
l Ihadtodowasgo
downt othearchivesandsear chforLizzie'
s
ai
sle,oranynamet hatr
esembl edthename
Li
zzie.AndImi ghtaswel llooki
ntotheai sle
whichwasdedi catedtochr ismother
, may be
shemi ghtt
ell
mesomet hingaboutLizzie.
AssoonasIr eachedt helibrary
,Iquickl
y
sl
ippedinsideandcl osedt hegiantdouble
doorsmaki ngsuret olockt hem sonoone
woulddisturbme.I fthemai dsneededme, t
hey
couldsi
mpl yuset heintercom.Andi fChris
neededtot al
kt ome, thenhewoul dcallmeon
mycellphonewhi chIwascar ryi
ngwi t
hme.

Quickl ymakingmywayt ot hefifthfloor,I

pausedf oramomentandi nhaledthescentof
oldj ournalsandmemoriesbef oreraisingmy
headt olookatthenamesoft heai sles.Isl
owly
wal kedar oundthear
chives,tr
yingt ospott he
nameLi zzieanywher
e,butjustasIhad
expect ed,therewasnoaislebyt henameof
Lizzie.

Si
ghi
ngi
ndisappoi
ntment,Isear
chedf
ort
he
ai
sl
ewit
hChrismother
'sname.Thatwas
somet hingt hatdi dn'tt
akemel ongt ofi
nd.
Rightnextt ot heai slenamedBr ianCarlPal
mer
wast heai sleTer esaRosePal mer .Sl
ippi
ng
i
nsidet heai sle,Igazedatt heshelfwhichwas
fi
ll
edwi tht hickjour nal
s.Howev er,t
hisai
sle
wasnotasf ullast herest,
whichhadme
wonder ingwhet hershehadwr i
ttenanymor e
j
our nal
sornot .

Shakingmyheadt ogetri
dofir
rel
ev ent
thoughts,Igrabbedajour
nalof
ftheshel fand
satdownont heorangebeanbagt oread.I
openedt hejournalandl
ookedatthey earsi
n
whichthisjournalwaswrit
teni
n.
*
***
Diar
yofTer
esaRosePal
mer

1986-
1989*
**
Therewasabeaut ifulpictureofchr i
smot her
belowt het hename.Hergol denhairwer e
styl
edinani ntricatebunandshel ookedt obe
wear i
ngsomesor tofal ux ur
iousgown, ifthe
highneckandt heheav yneckl acewasany t
hing
togoby .Chrismot herwast rulybeauti
ful,
I
reall
ywi shedImether .Tur ningthepageIcame
acrosst hef i
rstent rywhi chwasdat edMar ch
27th.Taki ngadeepbr eat hIbegunr eadingthe
smoot h, f
emi ninescr awl ofTer esaPalmer .
*
**Mar
ch27,
1986
.
Lif
ecanchangei njustamoment .Iknow,
becausei thadhappenedt ome.Justaf ew
hour sago,Iwasasi ngl
ewoman, getti
ngready
tomar rythemanIl ove.Andnow, i
njusta
moment ,Ihadgonef r
om asingl
ewomant oa
mar ri
edone.Fr om bei
ngawomanwi thher
vi
rtueintact,Ihadnowbecomeawomanwho
wil
linglygavehervirt
uetoherhusband.***
Teresathenbegunt alki
ngaboutherhusband
andt hei
rfirstnighttogetheraftermar ri
age,
whichIski ppedbecauseTer esapal merwasnot
ashywr it
er .Noway ,shehadwr i
tt
enev ery
singl
edet ailoftheirnighttogetherinthefirst
entry.SoIqui cklyskippedthef i
rstentry
becauseIdi dnotwantt obescar r
edf orli
fe
whileIwaspr egnantwi thChrisbaby ,
and
mov edont hesecondone, whichwaswr it
ten
thebextday .
*
***
Mar
ch28,
1986

Wehadmadeababyl astnight
,Iam sureofi
t.
Therewasjustsomethi
ngsomagi calaboutt
he
fewhoursinwhichBri
anandIcamet oget
her,
I
knewwi t
houtadoubtthatnowIwascar ry
ing
Bri
an'sbabyi
nmywomb.
Ihopeourfi
rstbabyisagir
l.Br
iantol
dmethat
thefemal
esoft hi
sfamil
yonlygiv
ebirt
htoboy
s.
Ithi
nkit'
sacurse,andIwantt
obr
eakit.Iwant
tobreakthi
scurseofhavi
ngmyfi
rstbornaboy.
Iwishiti
sagirl
.**
**
Onandonhersecondent rywent .Iskimmed
throught henextf ewent ri
es,tryingt ofind
any t
hingaboutLi zzie,butwasmetwi th
disappointmentonceagai n.Ther ewasno
ment i
onofLi zzieatal l
.AndIdi dn'treall
yneed
toknowt hatTeresaPal mer ,j
ustl i
keallthe
otherpal merwomen, wasunabl et othebr eak
thecur se,becauseChr iswast hef ir
stbor n.
Howev er,t
henextent rywhi chmyey esst opped
atgav emeoneoft hegr eatestshocksofmy
l
ife.
*
**May3r
d,1986

Si
nceIhadmar r
iedBri
an,myli
fehadbeen
not
hingbutwonderf
ul.ThedayIhadgotten
marr
ied,IhadahunchthatIwaspregnant,
but
t
odayt
hedoct
orconf
ir
medi
t.
Iwokeupt of
eeli
ngsick,l
ikeIhadbeenf orthe
pastfewweeks.Theonlydiff
erencewast hat
Brianwaswit
hmeandhadnot i
cedthatIwas
si
ck.Hehadskippedwor kandtakenmet othe
hospit
alwher
ethedoctorconfirmedthatIwas
pregnant
.
Uponhear i
ngt henews, Iwasel
ated.Now,
nothi
ngcouldputadamperonmymood.Br i
an
hadbeenecst ati
concehegott oknowt hathe
wouldsoonbeaf ather.NowIjustwishthatmy
babyisagirl.Iwanttobet hefi
rstwomant o
breakthefami l
ycurse.IwanttogiveBri
ana
babygirlf
ir
st.***

AssoonasIhadf i
nishedreadingtherestofthe
entry
,mymi ndwasf il
ledwithquesti
ons.If
Teresagotpregnantin1986t hatwouldmean
thatchr
ishadbear ound30y earsold,buthe
wasonly27.Hadhel iedtomeabouthisage?
OrdidTeresaloset hebaby ?Curi
osit
ynearl
y
ki
ll
ingme, Ideci
dedt oski mthenextfewentri
es.
Befor
eIcoul dstar
tr eadingthenextent
ry,
my
phonestartedri
nging, gi
vingmyheartasudden
j
olt
.

Grabbingmycel lphonef r
om whereIhad
placeditonmyl ap, myeyeswidenedwhenI
sawChr i
snamef lashi
ngont hescreen.Shit
,
whatwasIgoi ngt otel
lhim?Whati fheasked
mewhatIwasdoi ng?Bloodyhell
,whydi dhe
havetocal latthistime?Takingacoupl eof
deepbr eathstost eadymypoundi ngheart,I
answer edthephone.
"
Hel
l
o?"
"
Hel
l
o,l
i
ttl
edov
e,howar
eyou?
"Heasked.
"
I'
m gr
eat,
howar
eyou?
"It
ri
edhar
dtokeepmy
v
oicest
eady.
"I
'
mf i
ne,hav
eyoueatenanythi
ngaf
ter
breakfast
?"Hequest
ioned.
"
Yes,
Ihadf
rui
t,
"Ianswer
ed.
"Good,andismysonbehav inghi
mself?"He
enquir
ed.Justbyhi
st one,
Icouldtel
lthathe
wassmi l
ingontheotherend.
"Yes,
heis,
notbot
heri
ngmeatal l
,
"Irepl
ied,
wishi
nghewouldqui
cklyhangupandletmego
backtoTer
esaandherunbornbaby.
"That
'sgood,Ij
ustwantt
otel
lyouthatI
'
llbe
homei nafewhours,t
henImightt
akeyouout
fordi
nner,how'
sthat
?"Hequeri
ed.
"Uh,
sure,di
nnersoundsgreat
,butareyousure
youdon'twantt
oeatathome? "Iasked.Idi
d
notwanthimtowast emoneyonr est
urantf
ood
whenwecoul daff
ordanicemeal athome.

"
No,
Iwantt
oeatout
,wi
thy
ou.
"Ifhewasher
e
ri
ghtnow,Ibethewoul
d'
veki
ssedmycheek
aft
ersayi
ngthis.

"Okay,sure,I
'dl
ovet o,"Irespondedwi t
ha
genui
nesmi l
e.Hewast hebesthusbandever
.I
wasact uall
ywishingt hatthi
swhol ethi
ng
betweenuswasr eal andnotj ustasham.
"Okay
,seeyouinawhil
e,t
akecar
eofy
our
sel
f,
byeli
tt
lepeach.
"Hesai
d.

"
Bye."Ihungup,t
hehappysmi
l
est
il
l onmy
f
ace.Putti
ngmyphonebackonmylap,Ibegun
r
eadingthenextent
ry.

*
***
Nov
ember20,
1986

Wow, Ican'
tbel
ievei
t.Onl
yonemoremont
h
unt
ilIwil
lfi
nal
lyseeandholdmybabyi
nmy
ar
ms.Ican'
tbel
i
evei
t.ThehappinessIf
eel
asI
wri
tet
hisdowni
sunexpl
ainabl
e.
Iknowt hatmybabyisagi rl.NotonlydoIseea
beauti
fulgirl
whohasBr ian'
shairandmyey es
i
nmydr eams, t
hewomeni nmyf amilyalsot el
l
met hatIam goingt
ogi vebi r
thtoagi r
l.Iti
s
somet hi
ngaboutthewayIwal kthatindicates
thatmybabyi sagirl
,accordingtomy
grandmot her
,butIj
usthopeshei sr
ight .

IaskedBri
anwhathet houghtabouthavi
nga
gir
lasourfi
rstborn,andhet ol
dmet hatifour
babywasagi rl
,thenhewi l
ldoeveryt
hinginhi
s
powertoprotecthisl
it
tlegir
landkeepher
happy.
Hiswordshadgi
venmesomuchr eli
ef.Idi
d
nothavetowor
ryaboutgi
vi
ngBri
anaboy
becausehewoul
dbehappywit
heitherone.*
***
Readi
ngt
hisgav
emeanunexpect
edsur
pri
se.
Sot herer eall
ywasababybef oreChr is,or
may beChr i
swast hefir
stbaby .Butthatdi dn'
t
makeanysense, ashewast wentysev enand
nott hir
ty.Andev entherewasapossi bi l
it
ythat
hispar ent shadchangedhi sbirt
hr ecor ds,I
didn'tbelieveit.Forsomer eason, Ididn'tthi
nk
thatChr i
swast hebabyt hatTer esawast al
king
about .Andt her ewasnowayt hatTer esacoul d
l
oset hebabyi ntheeighthmont h,unl
essshe
metwi t
haf atalacci
dentt hatki l
l
edt hebaby .

Turni
ngmyat tentionbacktot hej ournal,I
tur
nedthenextpageandt omyhor ror,mett he
endofthejournal.Gri
tti
ngmyt eeth,Ifli
pped
thewholejournalbeforehuff
ingi nf r
ustration.
ButwhenIsawt herawedgesi nthemi ddle,I
knewtherewassomet hingseriouslywr ong.
Somebodyhadr i
ppedoutnear lyoft hej ournal
.
Thejour
nal wasdat edfrom t
hey ear1986t o
1989andthej ournalendedafterNov ember
20th.Andseeingtheunevenbitsofpagesgl
ues
tothespineofthejournal
,mythoughtswere
confir
med.Somebodyhaddel iber
atel
yremoved
mor ethanhal
fofthejournal
.Andtheworst
partwas,Ihadnoi deaift
hebabywasagi r
lora
boy.

Notonet ogi veup,Iplacedthej our nalbackon

theshelfandt ookoutaf ewot herones.I
quickl
yskimmedt hrought hejour nalstof i
nd
i
nformat i
onaboutTer esa'sfir
stbor n,butjust
l
ikethefirstj
ournal,someoft hepageswer e
tornfr
om t heotherjournalsaswel l
.Ihadno
i
deawhatwassoi mpor tantint hosej ournal
s
thatsomebodywentt hrought heef f or
ttokeep
i
tasecr et.Butwhat everitwas, itwas
somet hi
ngbi g.

Thesoundoft
hei
nter
com hal
tedmypr
ogr
ess.
Taki
ngadeepbreat
h,Imarchedt
owar
dst
he
i
nter
com andpi
ckedupthephone.
"
Yes?
"
"Mrs.Palmer,Ijustwant
edtoinf
or my outhat
Mr.Nicoisaboutt ocomebackf rom school
andthatlunchwi ll
bereadyi
nfif
teenmi nutes.
"
Oneoft hemai dwhom Ididnotthenameof
tol
dme.
"Allr
ight,I
'l
lbeinthedini
ngroom intenmi nutes,
thanky oufortel
li
ngme, andifNicoarr
ives,take
himt ohisroom andhav ehi
m changeoutofhi s
unif
or m."Itol
dherbeforehangingup.
Draggingmy sel
fbackt oTeresa'saisle,I
proceededtoputallthejournal
sbacki nthei
r
ri
ghtfulpl
ace,makingsur enottoletany one
knowt hatIhadbeenher e.I
tdidn'ttakemel ong
beforeIputthemajorityofthejournalsbackin
thei
rplace.Withonlythreejour
nalsl eft
,I
cli
mbedt heportabl
ewoodenst eps,thatwere
placedar oundt hearchivesforpeoplewhower e
shortandneededhel pinreachingthehigher
shelves,
t oputthem backi nplacewhenmy
wr i
staccidentlyhitthejournalnexttotheoneI
wasput tingback, causingitdropont hefl
oor.I
swor einmymi ndbef orereachingdownand
picki
ngupt hefall
enj ournal
.Thinkingther
ewas
nohar mi fIlookedt hroughonel astj
ournalI
fl
ippedt hejournalopen.
Tomysur pri
se,thejournalwasnotaj ournal
.I
meani twasajournal,buttheinsi
deoft he
j
ournalwasnotwhatonewoul dexpectwhen
l
ookingatajournal.Thepagesoft hej ournal
weregluedtogetherandt hemiddlewascutt o
form acavi
ty,
li
keinmov i
eswher epeopl ehid
stuf
finbookst ohidefrom pry
ingey es.Andi n
thecavit
y,l
aidabluev elv
etboundj ournal.

Removingt
hebluejour
nal,
Iranmyf i
nger
sov
er
i
t,l
ovi
ngthefeelofsof
tvel
vetbeneat
hmy
fi
nger t
ips.Iturnedthejournaltoinspectthe
backofi twhenmyey eslandedont hreewor ds
i
nbeaut i
fulgoldenink.ForasecondIf el
tlike
HarryPot terwhenhepi ckedupTom Mar volo
Riddle'
sdi ary
,becauset hethreewor dswer e
writt
eni nexact l
ythesamewayast heTom' s
namei nhi sdiary.Howev er
,thesewor dswer e
di
f f
erent.Thesewor dswer e..
.

El
i
zabet
hJul
i
aPal
mer
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t22<3
.
.
.
Thebeauti
fulresturantwasapl aceIthoughtI
wouldnevervisi
tinmyent ireli
fe,butthanksto
chr
,Iwasnowher e, havingdinnerinoneoft he
mostpresti
giousr esturants.Itwasl i
keChris
wasmyownper sonal genie,f
ulfi
l
lingmywi shes
anddesir
eswi thjustasnapofhi sf i
ngers.

Chriscamepr eciselyatseveno' clock.Ihad

wornthebl uedr esshegotf ormeandwas
brushi
ngmyhai rwhenheent eredourr oom and
gavemeaswi ftkissont heli
ps.Het hentur
ned
andheadedt othebat hroom, tel
lingmehe
wouldbeouti nf i
fteenminutest henwewoul d
gooutf ordinner .
EventhoughIdi dnotwantt ogo, becauseI
wantedtor eadt hediar
yofElizabethJuli
a
Palmer,Icouldn'tref
usehim.SoIdi dnottouch
thediar
yaf terIhadputitbacki nit
splace.I
wouldreadi ttomor r
ow,andfindoutwhot he
womanwas.Howev er,
myov erlycuri
ousnature
want
edmet
oski
pdi
nnerandr
eadt
hedi
ary
.

Whent hemaî tr
ed' openedt hedoorforus, my
eyeswidenedandmyj awdr oppedasIt ookin
theopulenceoft heresturant.Thetabl
eswer e
settoperfect
ion; t
hewai t
erswer eeffi
cientl
y
workingaround; t
helightsreflect
ingagainstthe
chandeli
ershav etheresturantaluxuri
ousf eel.
Itwasperfect.I
twassonotme.

Ther esturantwasf ort

herichandsuccessf ul
,
notapoorwomanl i
kemewhowasonl ygoi
ng
tober ichforthenextni nemont hs.Ididnot
deservet ositinoneoft hecomf or
table,
cushionedchai r
s;Ibelongedwi t
ht hestaff
,
waiti
ngonpeopl e,makingsur etheorderswere
takentot herightt abl
es.May beIwasl owerthe
waiti
ngst aff;Ibelongedwi t
ht hemai ds,who
cleanedupaf terthechefs.
Iwonder edhowmuchsal arythesepeoplegot .I
neededaj obafteral
l,may beIcouldwor khere.
Wouldt heyevenhireahi ghschool gr
aduate?I
wasn'tsure,butIhadt hef eel
ingthepaywas
good.Imi ghtapplyforawai t
ressjobhere,
howev er,t
hechancesofmeget t
inghir
edwer e
sl
imt onone.

"Whatar
eyoulookingaroundfor?"Chri
sasked
me.Wehadgi v
enouror derstothewaiteraf
ew
minut
esago.Itr
iedtoordertothecheapest
thi
ngonthemenu, whi
chwaswat er,
buthe
shookhi
sheadandor deredforme.

"Thisplaceissoni ce,
thankyouforbringi
ngme
here,"Isai
d,lookingaroundagai
n,tr
yingto
soaki neverythi
ngallatonce.
"
Youdon'
thav
etot
hankme,
andy
oubet
terget
usedtol i
vingl
iketherichandfamous,I'
l
lbe
taki
ngy out oalotofhighendplaces,
"hest
ated
withasof tsmil
e.Ilovedhissmile,
itwasso
beauti
fulandsogenui ne.
"Ist
ill
wanttothanky ou,you'
vedonealotfor
me."Ieyedthewaitersdressedincri
spwhi t
e
shir
tsandblackslacks."Howmuchdot hese
waitersget
,asasalary,Imean?"Iaskedhim.
Hefrownedbef
oreaski
ng,
"Whyar
eyouaski
ng
t
his?
"
"Oh,becauseIneedtofi
ndajob.Nowt hatNico
i
sal lwel
l,Ineedmoneyforhi
seducati
onand
stuff
,Ihavetosendhimtomedicalschoolafter
all
,fi
ftyt
housandpoundswon'tl
astforever
."I
toldhim.

Thef r
ownonhi sf
oreheaddeepened."
Fift
y
thousand?Youmeanf i
vehundredthousand,
ri
ght,l
itt
ledov
e?"
Nowitwasmyt urntof
rownathi
m."
Fiv
e
hundr
edthousand?"
"Yeah,I
'm gi
vingyouami l
l
ionpounds, Ihave
alr
eadygiveny oufi
vehundredthousandand
you'l
lgett
her emaini
ngfi
vehundr edthousand
attheendoft heyear,
"herepl
iedwithan
amusedsmi le.
"Wait,youmean, Icurrentl
yhav ef i
vehundred
thousandpounds!Shoot ,IthoughtIhadf i
ft
y,
wellthirt
yafterNico'
ssur gery;damnit,whyI
can'tbegoodatmat h? !
"Icouldn'tbel
ieveit
.I
thoughtIonl yhadfif
tythousandpounds, I
couldn'tbeli
eveIhadf ourhundr edandeighty
thousandpoundsr i
ghtnow, andIwoul dget
mor elater.

Helaughedl
ightheart
edlybef
oregi
vingmy
handasoftsqueeze."
Trustme,youdon'
tneed
t
ogetajob,youhav
emor
ethanenoughmoney
,
l
i
ttl
efai
ry,
"hesai
d.

"No,notatall.Ihav
etobuynewclothesf or
Nico,he'sgrowingupfast
,nott
oment ionfood
andmoneyf orthebil
l
s.Andoncethebaby
comes, Iwillhavet
obuyclot
hesandf oodfor
thebaby ,t
rustmeIneedtogetajob,"Irepl
ied
withconv i
cti
on.

"Thebabyi
smi ne,t
oo,andIwi l
lpayforfood
andclot
hesandothernecessaties,
I'
mt ell
i
ng
you,y
oudon'tneedajob,"heresponded,his
l
ipssetinahardli
ne.

"
Youmightpayf
orthebaby,butIwil
lpayfor
mybr
other'
swantsandneeds,
"Iresponded.
"
No,
you'
renot
,I'
l
lpayf
orNi
co'
seducat
ionand
cl
othesandanyt
hingel
sehemi ghtwantor
need,t
hemoneyisforyou.Goshoppingwit
h
Jenny,
byclot
hesandshoesforyoursel
f,
"he
stat
ed.

"No,Icannott hrowawayt hemoneyonmy self

.
Ihavetothinkoft hebabyandmybr other.Pl
us,
i
tmi ghtbey ourbabyt oobutIwil
lst
il
lbuy
clot
hesandf oodforhim orher,
youwill
notbe
thesoleproviderforthebaby.Ij
ustneedtofind
alucrat
ivejob,"Irepl
i
ed.
"We'
l
lsee,
"hemut t
eredbefor
egiv
ingmyhand
anot
hersqueezeandfal
li
ngsil
ent
.
Af t
erfif
teenmi nutes,t
heserv erarri
vedcar ry
ing
ourf ood.Aftercareful
l
yplacingt heplatesin
frontofus, hegav eashortbowandl eft.cChris
andIwast edlit
tl
et i
mebeforedi ggingin.When
thef i
rstmor selofmymeal touchedmyl i
ps,I
hadt ophy sical
lystopmyselff r
om moani ngout
l
oud.Thef oodwasdeli
cious.Neverinmylif
e
hadItastedsomethi
ngsodel i
cious,so
amazing.NowIknewwhyev ery
thingonthe
menuwassoexpensi ve;i
ttookquitealotof
har
dwor ktocreat
esomet hi
ngsouni queand
per
fect.
OnceIcl eanedmypl ateofev eryt
hing, he
ordereddesser t
,despi
temyr ef
usal .WhenI
askedhi m whyheor dereddesser twhenI
clearlyt
oldhim notto,hesimpl esaidt hathe
want edmet ohav ethefullexperi
enceandt he
fullexperi
encecouldnotbecompl etewithout
desser t
.IthoughtIfel
lali
ttlemor ef ormy
tempor aryhusbandafterthat.
.
"Di
dyoufi
nishal
lyourhomeworkl
astnight
?"I
askedNi
cowhowasbusyeat i
nghissandwich.
Gi
vi
ngmeanod, Ni
coswall
owedbefor
esay
ing,
"
Yes,If
ini
shedmyhomeworkbef
oregoi
ngt
o
bed.Ihav
eanEngl
i
sht
estt
oday
."Het
oldme.
"Di
dyoust
udyfori
t?"Ienqui
red,
knowi
ngt
hat
hehadst
udied.

"Yes,
I'
mful
l
ypr
epar
ed,
"heanswer
edwi
tha
gri
n.
Ichuckl
edbefor
egr abbingasli
ceofbr
eadand
spreadi
ngjel
l
yoni tforChri
s.Hewasgoingt
o
comedownanymi nutenowandIneededto
makesur ehi
sbreakfastwasready.

JustasIplacedthesandwi chont heplat

e,
Chri
senteredthediningroom, l
ooking
handsomeasal ways.Somet imesIwonder edif
ther
ewasanyt imet hatChrisdi
dnotl ookso
sexyandmout hwat eri
ng.Mysubconsci ous
repl
i
edwi t
haf i
rm'nev er'
beforefall
i
ngsi l
ent
.
"
Mrs.Pal
mer
,Mr
.Ni
co'
sbusi
sher
e,"Sal
l
y
i
nfor
medus.
Nicoquickl
ygrabbedhisbag,bi
ddi
ngmea
hastygoodbye,hejoggedoutoft
hedi
ning
room,leavi
ngjustmeandChr i
s.
Chr i
stookmebysur pri
sewhenhedi ppedhis
headandcapt uredmyl ipsinasearingkiss.The
kisshadmemel ti
ngi nhisarms,buthedi dnot
relent,butaft
eraf ewmi nutes.Oncehe
releasedmyl ips,Ifoundabi tdi
ff
icultt
ogai n
mybear ings,
thekisshadt akenmet oanot her
placeal t
ogether.
"
Wh—whatwasthatf
or?"Iaskedbr
eat
hless,
t
ryi
ngt
orecov
erfr
om thekiss.
"
Agoodmorni
ngkiss,
"her
epl
ied,bef
ore
l
eani
ngdownandgivi
ngmeanothert
enderki
ss.

"Wow,okay
."Ihadnoi
deawhatIwassay
ing,
he
knewhowtomesswi t
hme.
"Begood,
andbesafe;
andifyouneedanyt
hing,
don'
thesi
tat
etocal
lme,okay
? "Hesai
d.
Inodded."
Havesomebreakf
ast
."Ist
epped
asi
detolethi
m si
tinhi
schai
r.
"Nott
oday,Ihav
etobeatworki
ntwenty
minut
es,soI'
m gonnahav
etoski
pbreakf
ast
,"
heinf
ormedme.

"
Youcantakeitonthego,I'
l
ltel
lHel
gatopack
i
tupfory
ou."Itur
nedtoleavebuthest
opped
me.
"Li
tt
lepeach,it
'sokay
,ski
ppingbr
eakfastone
daywon'tki
llme.NowIhav etogo,y
oubegood,
okay?"Hekissedmyf or
ehead.
"Okay,haveagoodday
."Ismi
ledatmy
husband,whogavemeanotherki
ssbef
ore
exit
ingthedi
ningr
oom.
Oncehel
eftf
orwor
k,Imadesur
enoneoft
he
maidsrequir
edanyt
hingfr
om mebef or
e
j
oggingupstair
stothel
ibr
ary
.Itwastimeto
readandfindoutwhowasElizabet
hJuli
a
Palmer.

.
Thefamil
iardustyaisl
esofthearchi
vesgreet
ed
meassoonasIent ered.Thi
sti
meIdi dnot
spendhourslookingforonethi
ngortheother
,I
knewwhatIwasher eforandIknewwhereit
was.

Takingtheport
ablesteps, Ipl
acedt hem ont he
fl
oorandclimbedont opreacht hetopshel fof
TeresaPalmer.Grabbingt hethickjournalwith
thegluedpages,Icarefull
ypulleditout.
Steppingdown,Ifl
oppeddownont heor ange
beanbagandopenedt hejournal.Car ef
ully
remov i
ngtheblue,vel
v etboundj ournal,
I
fl
i
ppedthefauxjour
nal
closedandopened
El
izabet
h'sj
our
nal.
Di
aryofEl
i
zabet
hJul
i
aPal
mer
2002-
2004
Turningthepage, Igott heanswertothe
my sterythathadplaguedmymi ndsincethat
dayIhadv enturedupt otheseventhfl
oor.
Ther e,
sit
t i
nglikeapr i
ncess,wastheyounger
versionoft hewomani ntheportr
ait
,andnowI
knewhername; Eli
zabethJuli
apalmer.Shewas
nol ongerLily
,butElizabethnow.

Shewasdr essedi namar oongown.Si ncethe

photowast akenwhenshewassi tti
ng,Icould
onlyseethetophal fofherdr ess,
andi tlooked
awfull
yexpensive.Darkcrystalswere
embeddedi nthedar kcol
or edcorset.The
sl
eeveswer elongandwer esl i
ght
lypuffyatt he
shoulder
s.Tof i
nishofherl ook,shewas
wear
ingabeaut
if
ulmar
oonhatwi
thf
eat
her
s
andf
lower
s.
Eli
zabethlookedtobeaboutsev enteeninthe
photograph.Herski
nlookedsoft,shelooked
i
nnocent .Ther
ewerenohar shwr i
nklesonher
face,andshedidnotlookli
keaqueenl i
keshe
didinthatport
rai
tonthesev ent
hf l
oor;she
l
ookedl i
keapr i
ncess.
Fli
ppingtothenextpage,Isawthef
ir
stent
ry.
Takingadeepbreath,Ist
artedr
eadi
ngthe
femininescr
awlofEli
zabeth.
*
**Januar
y1st
,2002
DearDi
ary
,
Anotheryearhascomeandgone, butmyl ov
e
forHenryhasnotwav er
ed.Inf
act,Ithi
nkIam
moreinlovewithmyhi m nowthenIhaveever
been.Notonlyishethemosthandsomeand
charmingmani nal
lofLondon,hetrulyl
oves
me,andIknowhewant stomar r
yme.
I'
m afrai
dtotell
myf atheraboutHenry.Mainl
y
becausehehasal readystar
tedtolookfora
suit
ablegroom forme.ButIwi l
lnotmarry
anyoneexceptforHenr y,
andmyf athershoul
d
understandthat
.****
Icont i
nuedr eadi
ng.Eli
zabethmai nlytal
ked
aboutHenr yandthelov eshehadf orher
boyf r
iend.Shealsowr otehowt heywer e
planningt omeeti nsecretat10:00pm onNew
Year '
sEv e.Herdiarywasl i
kear omancenov el
,
andIcoul dtel
lshewashopel esslyinlovej
ust
byr eadingandey eingtheheartsont opofthe
i
's.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t22CONTI
NUATI
ON<3
.
.
.

Iconti
nuedreadi
ng.Eli
zabet
hmainlyt
alked
aboutHenryandtheloveshehadforher
boyfr
iend.
Shealsowrotehowtheywereplanni
ngtomeet
i
nsecretat10:00pm onNewYear '
sEve.Her
diar
ywaslikearomancenovel
,andIcouldtel
l
shewashopelesslyi
nlovej
ustbyreadi
ngand
eyei
ngtheheartsontopoft
hei'
s.
However
,Igotareal
shockwhenIt
urnedt
o
r
eadthesecondentr
y.
Icouldn'
tbeli
evethatIhadbeenli
edt
o;t
hatnot
onlyChrisbuthi
swhol efami
lyhadhi
dsucha
bigsecret.
*
**Januar
y2nd,
2002
Di
aryDi
ary
,
Iwanttodoit
.Iwantt otell
myf ami
lyabout
Henry
,butI
'm af
raid.Whatiftheydonot
appr
oveofourrelati
onship?
Whatiff
atherdoesnotagr
eetothemat ch?
Whatift
heylockmeupi nt
hisgargantuan
pal
aceandforbidmetoseeHenryev eragai
n?
Whatift
heykil
lHenry?
No,Icannottel
lthem.Iwillnevert
ell
them.I
cannotri
skHenry '
sli
fe.ButIhavetodo
something.
Becausei
fIdon'tdoanyt
hing,
HenryandIcan
neverbet
ogether.AndIr
efusetol
i
v eal
if
e
wit
houtHenry
.
Lastnight,
aft
erIsneakedbackinmyr oom
duri
ngt hedar
khoursofthenight,Iqui
ckly
changedmycl ot
hesandgotr eadyforbed.But,
Lynn,mymai dhadcomei nmyr oom andtold
met hatfat
herwantedtoseeme.Iwasaf rai
d
becauseIthoughthehadfoundoutt hatIhad
snuckouttomeetHenr y.However
,Icoul
dnot
ref
usemyf ather
'scal
l
,soIhadwent
downstai
rs,mymi ndf
il
ledwithant
ici
pati
on.
OnceIent
eredthel
ivi
ngroom,
Iwasconfused
whenIsawthatnotonl
ymywholef
amilywas
pr
esentbutal
sot
heneighbor
'sf
ami
ly
.
Al
ejandr
o,t
henei
ghbor
'ssonwassi
tt
ing,
smil
ingatme.
Whenmyf at
hersawmehebeckonedmeov er
wit
hasmi leonhisf ace.Conf
used,Iwentt
o
hi
m andsatdownnextt ohim.Mymi ndwasfull
ofquesti
ons,buttheyallwereansweredwhen
myfathertol
dmet hatAlej
androandIwere
goi
ngtobemar r
iedi nJuly
.
Icouldn'tbeli
eveit
.Myf atherhadarrangedf or
met omar r
ymynei ghborandchildhoodf r
iend,
Alej
andr o.Hedidn'tevenaskmei fIwasokay
withthis,hejustagreedwithoutmyconsent .
Howcoul
dhedot
his?
!WasInothuman?
!Di
dI
nothav
eanyr i
ght
sinregardst
omyf ut
ure?
!
Howcouldmyf at
herj
usttakei
tuponhimselft
o
makedeci
sionsaboutmymar r
iage?
Af
tert
hat
,Ial
lbutr
anoutoft
hel
i
vingr
oom.
Icamebackinmyr oom andcr
iedmysel
fto
sl
eep.IknowIcoul
dneverbehappywit
h
Al
ejandr
o.
Hewasani ceman,andIknewhewoul ddohi
s
bestt
okeepmehappy ,
butIloveHenry,
andI
canneverbehappywi
thanyoneelsebuthi
m.
MaybeI
'
llt
alkt
ochr
is,
hemi
ghtknowwhatt
o
do.
Hewasmybr otherandmybestf ri
end.Though
hewasy oungert hanme, heandIwer e
extremel yclose.May behecantalktofather
regardingmi neandHenr y
'smarr
iage.Ifhedid
nothelpme, thenIwi ll
havenochoicebutt odo
somet hingdr ast i
c;becausecomehel l
orhi gh
waters, Iwil
l onlymar ryHenr
y.
El
i
zabet
h.*
**
Thej ournalshutonitsownasIpr ocessedthe
newpi eceofi nfor
mat i
on.Chri
shadasi st
er?!
Hehadanot hersibli
ngandhenev ertol
dme.
WellIunder stoodthatIwashistemporarywife,
andnotexact l
ypartofthefamil
y,butsti
ll
he
could'vetoldmet hayhehadanot hersi
bli
ng,a
si
sterinf act.SoTeresa'
sfir
stchil
dwas
actuall
gagi rl.
Shehadsucceededi
nbr
eaki
ngt
hef
ami
l
y
cur
se.
Ipl
acedt
hej
ournalbacki
nthej
our
nal
andputi
t
backont
heshel
f.
Ihaddoneenoughreadingforoneday.NowI
hadtogoupt her
e;uptothesevent
hf l
oor.I
didn'
tknowhowIwasgoi ngtodoit,butIhad
togoupt her
e.
AssoonasIreachedthesi
xthf
loor
,Imarched
uptothesev
enthfloorwhi
chwasthethi
rdfl
oor
oft
hel
i
brar
y.
Ihadahuncht hatImi
ghtbeabletoenterthe
seventhfl
oort
hrought
heli
brary
,Ipray
edt hat
theli
brar
ydoorswerenotl
ockedfrom t
he
outsi
de.
OnceIreachedthethir
df l
ooroftheli
brary
,Idi
d
notbot
herlooki
ngar ound,Iheadedstr
aightf
or
thegi
antdoubledoors.
Turningt
hekey,whi
chwasalreadypresentin
thelock,
Itur
nedtheknobandprayedthatthe
doorwouldopen.
Myheartst
oppedforasecondast
hedoor
openedsmoothl
y.
Icouldn'tbel
i
eveit,
Icouldnowsurveythe
my st
eriesoftheseventhfl
oorwi
thoutanyone
knowing.Wi t
haridi
culousgri
nplast
eredonmy
face,Iopenedthedoorandsteppedoutsi
de.
Iwasnowont
hesev
ent
hfl
oor
.
.
.
.
Aonceof
fthi
ng,
dontgetusedt
oit
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t23<3
.
.
.

Sil
encegr eetedmeasIt ooki nmy
surr
oundi ngs.Theseventhfloorl
ookedandf el
t
deserted.Iwonderedhowl onghadi tbeen
si
nceany onebeenupher e.Tryi
ngtocontrolmy
exci
tement ,Ibegunwalkingaroundthesev ent
h
fl
oor,notwor ri
edaboutgetti
ngcaught .
Thesi l
encemademeenj oymysur roundi
ngs
mor e.Themarbl
ef loor
swer egleamingli
ke
theyhadbeenrecent l
ypoli
shed.Igotacloser
l
ookatt hepai
ntingsandsawt hatsomeof
them wereport
raitsofEli
zabeth.Sotheentir
e
fl
oorwasdedicat edtoher.Wast hi
swher eshe
stayedwhenshewasy oung?Di dtheseventh
fl
oorbelongtoher ?
Mov i
ngf or ward,Icameacr ossat hi
ckwooden
door.Wi thoutthinki
ngt wice,It
urnedtheknob
andf oundi tlocked.Shakingmyhead, I
venturedf art
her,try
ingtoopent hedoorsbut
foundt hem locked.Itwasl iket
hesecrets
want edtost aybur i
ed,didnotwanttoseet he
l
ightoft heday .
Well
goodthi
ngy oufoundthedi
ary
,ot
her
wise
youwoul
dneverhavefoundoutwhoorwhat
wasontheseventhf
loor.
Whil
ewalki
ngaround,If
inal
l
ycameacr osst
he
gr
androom whereIhadseenEl
izabet
h's
portr
aitf
orthefir
stti
me.Forsomer eason,the
doorsofthisroom weren'
tl
ocked,gi
vingme
access.Itur
nedtheknobandqui et
lysli
dinside,
try
ingmybestnott omakeasound, even
thoughthechancesofmebei ngheardwer e
prett
ysli
m.
Ther oom wasexact lythewayIhadseeni t
whenIl aststumbl eduponher e.Agigant ic
por t
raitofElizabet hhungont hewal l,
maki ng
herlookl i
keaqueenoft hi scast l
e.Howev er,
therewasonet hi
ngt hatdi dn'tmakesenset o
measIgazedatt hepor trait.Eli
zabethl ooked
older,inhert hirti
es; howandwhydi dher
por t
raitlookedsor ecenti fshehadbeen
banishedy earsago?Theonl ywayt hatIcoul d
thinkofwast hatmay be, somehow, Chrisand
theot herswer estil
l i
ncont actwithElizabet h—if
shewasal i
ve, t
hati s.Buti fChr i
swasi ncont act
withhi ssister,whyactl ikeshedi dn'texi st
?
Whi
l
eIcont
empl
atedt
hecompl
i
cat
edmy
ster
y,
maki ngi
tev enmor ecomplicatedbycomi ngup
withonefarf etchedscenar i
oaf t
eranot her,
I
decidedtohal tmypr ocessingsr egarding
Eli
zabeth,andi nsteaddecidedt ofindoutmor e
abouther.Sowi t
honef inallookatt hepor tr
ait
,I
turnedonmyheel sandst rodeoutoft hegr and
room.
AssoonasIexi t
edt heroom, myey eslanded
onagr andmarblestair
case.Chri
stoldmet hat
thefl
oorssevenandabov ewereforbidden.
Indul
gingmycuriosi
tyabi tmore,Ihastil
y
cli
mbedupt hestair
case, f
eeli
ngli
keaki dwho
wasabouttodosomet hingwrong.
Howev er,
assoonasIr eachedtheeighthfloor,
myj awdr opped.Ev er
ywhereIlooked,
Eli
zabet h'
sfacegr eet
edme.Ther ewer eabout
twent yportr
ait
sofher ,andafewofanol der
womanwi t
hblondehai r,
hangingont hewal l
sin
astraight,hori
zontall
ine.Thewomani nthe
port
r ait
swasEl izabet
h, t
herewasnodoubt ;
howev er,insomepor traitsshewasy oung, no
mor ethanapr eteen, whileinothersshel ooked
older.Thepor tr
aitinwhi chshel ookedt he
youngestl ookedv eryol dandal i
ttl
ewor nout ,
withaf oury earol dElizabethstandingnextt oa
beaut i
fulcoupl eholdingababyi nabl uebl anket.
Ishuffledforwar dunt i
lIwasst andingi nf r
ont
ofthepor trait.Igentlybr ushedmyf inger sov er
thepor tr
ait,feeli
ngt hesmoot hnessoft hegl ass
case.Thebabyt hatt hecoupl ewashol ding
mustbeChr i
s, hewast hesecondbor n.The
familylookedhappy .
Smi li
ngt omyself
,Isteppedawayf rom t he
portraitandgazedaround.Asi defr
om t he
portraitsl
ini
ngthewal l
s,theeight
hf l
oorhada
l
otoft ablespushedagai nstthewallswi thl
ots
ofv elv
etboxesplacedont hem.Thet ables
blockedt heentr
ancet oallthedoorsont he
fl
oor ,l
eav i
ngmeonceagai nconfusedand
curious.
Youreal l
yneedt olear
nt omindyourown
busi
ness.Whydoy oualwayshavetogopoking
yournosei nt
hingsyou'r
enotsupposeto?Geta
l
ifeoratl eastahobbyandst oppryi
ngint
o
people'sbusiness.Mysubconscioussneer
ed
asIey edt hebig,r
ed,vel
vetboxwithagold
l
atchoni t.

I
t'
smyhusband'
sbusi
ness,
whi
chmeansi
tis
mybusi
ness.
Temporaryhusband.Stoppokingyournose
every
where.Whatwi l
lyourhusbandthi
nkof
youwhenhe'sgoi ngtofi
ndouty ouwentbehind
hisbackandent er
edtheforbi
ddenterr
it
ory?
He'sgoi
ngtoki ckyououtofthiscast
lebef
ore
youcansayElizabethPalmer.
I
'
llcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenI
'
llcomet
oit
.
Movingfor
ward,
Isurvey
edthev
elvetbox
bef
orerunni
ngmyfingersov
eri
t.I
fthi
sbox
bel
ongedtoEli
zabeth,t
henthatmeantshe
l
ovedvelv
et.Herdiar
ywasv elvetbound,and
nowtheseboxes.Inacoupleofpor t
rai
tsshe
waswearingheavyvel
vetdresses.Seeingthe
gol
denlat
ch,Imov edmyfingerstoit.
Don'
tdoi
t.
Pulli
ngt helatch, Iopenedt heboxandwas
greetedwi t
hl otsofexpensi vejewelry.Ipi
cked
upaf ewpi ecesofj ewelry,eyeingthespar kl
ing
gemswi thaweandf ascinati
on.WhyonEar th
wer etheset hi
ngsl yingintheopen?Tr ue,t
his
placewasf or bidden, butanyonecoul dcomeup
hereandst eal them.Ei ther,t
hispar tofthe
castlewasf or biddenf oreveryone,fami l
yand
staffali
ke,ort hePal mer '
strustedtheirstaff
wayt oomuch.
Quickl
yputt
ingt
hejewel
rybackinthebox,I
shuttheboxandmovedontot heblue,
vel
vet
onewhichwaslyi
ngnexttotheredone.The
blueboxwassli
ght
lysmall
erthantheredone.
Wi
thoutt
hinki
ngt
wice,
Iopenedt
hebl
uebox
.
Youar egoi
ngtohel
lfort
his.Chri
swil
lnever
forgi
veyou.Tur
nbackandgobackt oyour
room.Yourhusbandt
rust
sy ou,donotbreakhi
s
trust
.
Howev er
,whatIsawi ntheblueboxwas
enoughf ormet ot hrowcaut i
ontot hewindand
i
gnor emysubconsci ous.There,stari
ngatme,
weref ourchil
dren,allofthem belowt heageof
ten.Thegi r
lwast heol destwit
hshi ny,bl
onde
hairti
edi npigtail
s,whi l
etheboy sstoodnextto
her,smi l
i
ng,theireyesnar r
owedi nslit
sast he
sunbeatdownont hem.
Pickingupt hephot ograph,It
ur neditar
oundto
i
nspectt hebackwhenIsawt henamesoft he
chil
dr en.Thefir
stonewasEl izabethPalmer,
foll
owedbyChr is,Keir
anandt henBrenton.
Therewer emorephot ographsi nthebox.I
quicklypul l
edallofthem outoft heboxand
slowlyl ookedateachpi ctur
e, smil
ingasIsaw
Chri
sandhissibl
i
ngsgrowingup;goi
ngf r
om
chil
drent
oteensandthenreachi
ngadul
thood.
Therewereonl
ytwophotographsofal
lfourof
them att
heageofeight
een.
Iwassmi l
ingwhilelookingatChrisattheage
oftenwhenashr il
lsoundt orethesil
enceofthe
ei
ght hfl
oor .MyheartjoltedasIjumped,
droppingthepicturesandwat chi
ngthem al
l
scatteront hemarblefloor.Cursi
ngmy sel
f,I
quicklyfi
shedoutmyphonef rom mypocket
onlytoseeChr isnamef l
ashingacrossthe
screen.
Shi
t,Chr
iswhydoyoucal
lev
ery
timeI
'
m doi
ng
somethi
ngwrong?
Taki
ngadeepbr eat
h,Iaccept
edt
hecal
land
hesi
tant
lyputt
hephonet omyear
."Hel
l
o?"
"Hel
l
o,l
it
tl
efai
ry,
howar
eyou?
"Hespoke.I
coul
dsensehewassmi
li
ngwhil
etal
ki
ngtome.
"
I'
mfi
ne,
thanky
ou.Howar
eyou?Ar
eyou
havi
ngagoodday?"Ienqui
red,bendi
ngdown
topickupt
hescat
teredphotogr
aphswit
hone
hand.
"I
'
m great
,andmydayisgoi
ngf
ine,
howev
er,
it
coul
dbebetter
,"hesai
d.
"Howcoul
ditbebet
ter
?"Iquest
ioned,
picki
ng
upahandful
ofphot
ographsandplaci
ngthem
backi
nthebox.
"
Well,
mywi feisawonder
ful
cookandIwas
wonderi
ngifshewoul
dcookandbri
ngme
l
unch,
"heresponded.
"Yo—youwantmetomakelunchf
oryou?
"I
queri
ed,maki
ngsur
eIhear
dhimright
.

"Yes,
andbri
ngitt
ome,i
fit
'snott
oomuchofa
probl
em f
oryou,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"
No,no,notatal
l
,I'
dlovet
omakel unchforyou,
whatwouldyoul
iketoeat
?"Iasked,gr
inni
ng
from eartoearasIl i
stenedtohim.Icoul
dn'
t
beli
eveit,myhusbandhadr equest
edmet o
makel unchforhim.Ihadnoi deawhyIwas
feel
ingsohappy ,IjustknewthatIwantedto
makehi m happy,andi fhewantedmet omake
l
unchf orhim,thenIwasgoi ngtomaket hebest
meal hehadev ertasted.
"
Any
thi
ng,
asl
ongasy
oumakei
t,
"heanswer
ed.
"Butsti
l
l,ther
emustbesomet hingyouwantt
o
eat,
"Istated,
pickingt
heremai ni
ng
photographsandput t
ingthem backint
hebox,
makingsur etoplacethem neatl
y.
"
Sur
pri
seme.
"Wasal
lhesai
d.
Ichuckled."
Okay,whenshoul
dIcomebyyour
workplace?"Ienqui
red,
walki
ngtowar
dst
he
stai
rcase.
"
Assoonaspossi
ble,
"heanswer
ed.
"
Okay
,I'
l
lseey
ousoon.
"Wi
thasmi
l
e,Ihungup.
Forget
tingaboutEli
zabeth,
Ihurri
edtothe
l
ibrar
yandgl i
deddownt heli
braryst
airstothe
sixt
hfloor.Fr
om there,
Iexi
tedtheli
braryand
headedt otheki
tchen,mythoughtsonChr i
s
andwhatt omakef orhim.
Helga'sf
rostyeyesgr
eetedmeasIent eredt he
kit
chen.Inarrowedmyey esatherandwal ked
tothepantrywithmyheadheldhigh.Quickly
getti
ngtheingredi
ent
sthatIwanted,Ibegan
cookinglunchformyhusband.
Afteroneandahal fhour,Iwasputt
ingthebeef
welli
ngtonandfishandchi psi
nabasketf or
Chris.It
oldthemaidstoonl ypr
eparelunchfor
Nicooncehear ri
vedandt omakesur ehe
changedoutofhi sunif
orm.Onceallwasset ,I
l
eftthecastleandtoldthechauff
eurtodrive
met oChr i
sworkplace.
Thechauff
eurdroppedmeout sidePal
mer
Ent
erpri
sesaft
ertwentyminutes.Iwal
ked
i
nsideandtooktheelev
atortoChrisfl
oor
,
nobodystoppedtoaskmewhoIwasandwhyI
wasthere.But,
astheel
evat
ordoor
sopened
andIarr
ivedathisfl
oor
,hi
sPAgreetedme.
Shewasar oundt went
yfiv
e,wit
hbrownhair
andgreeney es.Shewasdressedprof
essi
onal
l
y,
andherfeatureswereenhancedwit
hmakeup,
maki
ngherl ookbeautif
ul.
"Goodaf
ter
noon,
howmayIhel
pyou?
"She
askedme.
"
Uh,
I'
m her
etoseeMr
.Pal
mer
,"Isai
d.
"
Doy
ouhav
eanappoi
ntment
?"Sheenqui
red.
"Um,no,
"Ir
epli
ed.Chri
sdi
dn'tt
ell
meIneeded
anappoi
ntmentbefor
ecominghere.
"I
'
m sorryMa'am, butIcan'
tl
etyouseeMr .
Palmerwithoutanappointment
."Justthen,
my
phonerang.Ipull
editoutofmypur seand
accept
edthecal l
whenIsawhi sname.
"
Lit
tl
edov
ewher
ear
eyou?
"Heasked.
"I
'
m outsi
deyourof
fi
ce,
y oudi
dn'
ttel
lmeI
neededanappoi
ntment
,"Isai
d.
Withoutr
eplyi
ng,
hehungup.Aft
erafew
seconds,t
hedoortohisof
fi
ceopenedandhe
emergedlooki
ngashandsomeasIhadlast
seenhim—thismorni
ng.Hesmil
edashestrode
towardsme.
"
Whydon' tyougoinside,Ineedtospeakto
Meli
ssaaboutsomet hing."Hetol
dme.Nodding
myhead, Igav
easmal lsmilet
oMelissaand
wentinsi
dehisroom.
Hisoff
icewasj ustasIremember edthelast
ti
meIwasher e.Thecouchandt heglasstabl
e
wereagainstonewal l
.Thedeskwi t
ha
computerandot heroff
icesuppli
eswer etomy
ri
ght.I
twascleanandev er
ythi
ngwasi nplace.
"Sowhatdi
dyoucookf
orme?
"Heaskedashe
cameback.
"
Imadebeefwel
l
ingt
onandsomef
ishand
chi
ps,Ihopethat'
sokay
?"Icar
eful
l
ysett
he
basketonthetabl
e.

"I
t'
sper
fect
."Heki
ssedmyl
i
psbef
oresi
tt
ing
downonthecouch.
"ThankGody oucame, Iwaswor ri
edt hatyour
l
unchwi ll
getcold."Iopenedthebasketand
tookoutacleanplateandt herestoft hei
tems.
Icutageneroussliceofbeefwel l
ingtonand
addedsomef ishandchi psonthepl atebefor
e
present
ingitt
ohi m.
"Don'
tworry
,youwon'
tbehavi
ngthatpr
obl
em
now,"hesai
d,pi
cki
ngupafryandpoppi
ngi
tin
hismouth.
"Doesitt
asteokay?"Iaskednerv
ousl
y.Iwor
ked
hardtopreparet
hismeal andIwant
edhimto
l
ikeit
.Itwouldmakemesadi fhedi
dn'
tli
kei
t.
"I
ttast
esperfect,l
i
ttl
epeach.Whyareyou
si
tti
ngli
kethat,eatsomethi
ng,Iwantmybaby
t
obeheal
thy
,"heor
der
ed.
"
It
'sokay,I
'
lleatwhenI
'
llgohome.Imadet
his
f
oryou,"Ir
epli
ed.
Shakinghishead,heplacedhisplateont he
tabl
ebef or
estandingup.From thebasket ,he
tookoutasecondpl ateandfi
lleditbeef
well
ingtonandfishandchipsbef oresit
ting
backdown.Cut t
ingupsomebeefwel l
ington,he
begunfeedingme.It r
iedtostophim, buthe
tol
dmet ostoptal
kingandeat.
Aft
erfi
ft
eenminut
es,hef edmethelastbi
te
bef
oreputt
ingt
henowempt ypl
ateonthetabl
e
andpi
ckinguphi
s,whichhedidnottouchthe
momenthehadstart
edf eedi
ngme.
"
Ther
eisachari
tyf
uncti
ononSatur
day
,Iwant
y
outoaccompanyme,"hesai
doutoft
hebl
ue.
Myey
eswi
denedasIhear
dhi
m."
Me?
"
Henodded."
Yes,we'
l
lgoshoppi
ngf
oradr
ess
f
oryou,
"hestat
ed.
"
But
,but
,Ican'
tgowi
thy
ou,
"Isai
d.
"
Andwhynot
?"Heenqui
red.
"Don'
tyouremember?Youwer et heonewho
saidhewantsawomanwi thcl
assandst atusto
accompanyhimtosocialfuncti
ons.AndI'm not
thatwoman.Yo—youshoul dasksomeoneel se
togowithyou.
"Myhear thurtwhenIsaidthis
andIhadnoideawhy.
Heal lbutslammedhi spl
ateont hetable,
causingmet ojumpinsurpri
se.Ilookedathim
toseehi m glar
ingatme,hisseagr eeneyes
hard.BeforeIknewi t
,hehadpulledmeonhi s
l
apandhadcuppedt hebackofmyheadwi t
h
hishand.
"Li
stentomeandl ist
engoodbecauseI '
m only
goingtosaythisonce.Youar egoingto
accompanymet othi
schar i
tyfuncti
onandal l
thefunct
ionsandsoci al
gatheri
ngsf r
om this
dayforward,i
sthatclear?
"Itwasev i
dentfrom
hi
swordsthatheonl
ywant
edt
oheara'
yes'
fr
om me.
"
Bu—Buty
ousai
d—"hecutmeof
f.
"For
getwhatIsai
d.I
twasi nt
hepast
,andit'
s
gonenow.Youshouldfocusont
hepresentand
whatI'
m say
ingnow,gotit
?"Hel
ookedinmy
eyes,wi
ll
i
ngmet oagreetohi
m.
"
Yes,
"Isai
dsof
tl
y.
"Goodgi r
l."Heki ssedmel i
kehehadno
i
ntenti
onofl ettingmego.Li kethismar r
iage
wasbasedonl ov eandnotonacont ract.I
twas
confusing,y etitsucceededi npenet
rati
ngmy
heart,
maki ngmef al
lformyhusband.Iwas
fal
li
nginl ov e,andIhadnoi deahowIcoul d
stop.
Thesoundofat hroatcl
ear
ingbrokehim andI
apart.Il
ookedt
oseeabeaut i
fulwoman
standingwit
hafil
einherhands.Chri
sstoodup
andgr eet
edher
.
"Tr
ish,
howareyou?Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?"He
askedthewoman.
Tri
shlookedabout5'8wi t
hagl ossymaneof
auburnhairandhazeleyes.Herskinwas
smoot handhereyebrowswer epluckedt
o
perf
ection.Shewasabeaut y,
awomanper f
ect
toplaytheroleofChr
iswife.
Shewav edt hefi
leinr esponset ohisquest i
on.
Christookt hefil
ef rom herandopenedand
bothoft hem startedconv er
singinhushed
voices,whileIsatt hereandst ar
edatt hetwoof
them.Ast r
angef eelingstartedbr ewinginmy
coreasIey edmyhusbandconv ersingwiththe
woman.Anunf ami l
iaracheshotatmyhear tas
IsawTr ishsmi l
ingsecr et
lyatmyhusband.I t
didn'tt
akeageni ust oknowt hatTri
shl i
kedhim,
mor ethananempl oyeel i
kedanempl oyer.No,
shewant edhim.Shewant edmyhusband.
Aft
ertenmi
nutes,Tri
shgaveanot
hersecr
et
smil
etoChr
isbeforesashayi
ngoutofhi
soff
ice.
Chr
iscamebackandsatdownnextt
ome.
"Ar
eyougoingt
omar
ryher
?"Ibl
urt
edout
bef
oret
hinki
ng.
"
Who?
"Heaskedwi
thaf
rown.
"
Tri
sh,
"Ianswer
ed.
"
What?No,whywouldy
outhi
nkt
hat?"He
l
ookedatmeli
keIhadl
ostmymind.
"Becauseshelikesyouandshehascl assand
stat
us,"Ist
ated.Infact
,Iwoul
dn'tbesurpr
ised
i
fhedi dmarryher,shewasperfect,
andexactl
y
thekindofwomanhrwant ed.
"Shedoesn'
tli
keme, I
'm herbossandshe'
smy
employee,t
hat'
sit
,"hesaidfi
rmly.
"No,sheli
kesyou,
morethananempl oyee
shouldl
ikeanemploy
er,
"Iresponded.
Hechuckled."
Areyouj
eal
ous,l
it
tl
eone?"His
statementt
ookmebysurpri
se.Wasthatwhat
thiswas?Thestr
angef
eel
inginmycore,t
he
unf
ami
l
iarpai
n?Icoul
dn'
tbej
eal
ous,
coul
dI?
"
What?!No,whywoul
dIbejealous?
"Ifei
gned
i
gnor
ance.Deepdown,Iwasn'
tsosure.
"
Idon'
tknow,
li
tt
lefai
ry,
yout
ell
me.
"Hegav
e
meanamusedlook.
"I
'm notj
ealous.I'
mj ustsayingthateveni fy
ou
domar ryher,shewi l
lbeper f
ectforyou."Isaid
thi
swi t
haheav yheart.Despit
enotwant ingto
beli
eveit,
Ihadaf eel
ingthathewasr ight.Iwas
j
ealous.Despitenotwant ingto,Ihadfall
enf or
him,anditwast hebiggestmi stakeIcould
make.
"Wel
lthen, l
etmet ellyouthatI
'm nev
ergoi
ngt
o
marr
yTr ish,she'snotmyt ype,
"hesaid,
cont
radicti
nghi searl
ierstat
ementabout
wanti
ngawomanwi t
hcl assandstat
us.
Ididnotbel
iev
ehim.Iknewoncethisyearwas
overandIwasoutofhisli
fe,hewoul
dmar r
y
Tri
sh,orsomeoneli
keher.Andhebelonged
wit
hwomenli
keTri
sh.Ij
usthopedt
hatl
eav
ing
Chri
swoul
dnotbr
eakme.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t24<3
.
.
.
.

Saturdayar ri
vedsoonerthanIhadexpect ed.
Throughoutt heweek, Ihadbeenaner v
ous
wreck.Ihadnev erbeentoanyhi ghendsocial
gatheringsandnowhewant edmet o
accompanyhi mt oachar i
tyfuncti
on.Didhenot
know, byt aki
ngmeal ong,hewoul dmost
probabl ybesubjecti
nghimsel ft
ot ot
alpubl
ic
humiliation?!
"DoIl
ookal
lri
ght?
"IaskedChr
iswhol
ooked
del
ect
abl
einhissui
t.
Het urnedandputhi shandsonmyshoul ders.
"Youlookbeaut i
ful
,"hecompli
mented.I
blushedathi swordsbutgavehim asmallsmile
nontheless.Chri
scalli
ngmebeautiful
tuggedat
myhear t
str
ings.Ir
eall
ydidn'
twanttofal
l i
n
l
ov ewi t
hhim.
Iwaswear ingagor geousseagreendress,
exactl
ylikethecolorofChris'
seyes.Thedr ess
wasst r
apless,madeofchi f
fonandhada
sweetheartneckli
ne.Itwassoprett
y.Ihada
feel
ingthatmybabybumpwasshowi ng, buthe
tol
dmet hatitwasn'tt
hatnoti
ceabl
e,Ijust
hopedhewasr ight.
Justli
kehehadpromised,het ookmeshoppi ng
foradress.Weweredoingfineunt i
lthetime
camet opayfort
hedress.Ididn'twanthimt o
spendany mor
emoneyonmet hanheal ready
had.Iwantedtopayf
ormydr essbymy self
.
Howev er,
hewasnothav ingi
t.Hewant edt
o
payf orthedr ess,
andbot hofusst ar
ted
arguingov erthefactthatwhowasgoi ngtopay
.
Intheend, Chr i
swon, si
mplybecauset he
store'scashierthr
eatenedtokickusouti fwe
didn'tstoparguing.Chri
squicklysli
ppedherhis
creditcardandshewast edli
tt
letimein
checki ngusout .
Now, thedayhadf inall
yar r
ivedwhenIwoul d
accompanyChr i
stoachar i
tyfunction,Ijust
hopedIdi dnotlooklikeachar itycase.Woul d
peoplenoticethatIwasn' tl
iket hem,r
ich.Would
theynoticethatIwasf rom thel owerclass?
Wasi tpossibl
eforsomeonewhohadbeen
poortheirwholeli
v essuddenl ymanaget o
blendinwiththerichandpower ful
?Wer ethere
anyrulesonhowt oactl i
kear ichperson?
"Areyousur
ey ouwon' tr
athert
akesomeone
elsewit
hyou?"Event houghmyheartached
whenIaskedthis,Ihadtomakesure.
"I
'm ahundr
edandtenper centsur
et hatthe
onlywomanIwanttot akewithmet ot his
functi
onisyou,
"her
eplied.Thenwithoutaword,
hetookmyhandandl edmeoutoft her oom.
"Wait
,IhavetogoseeNi co.Whydon'
tyouwai
t
formeintheliv
ingroom andI'
l
lbedownina
coupl
eofmi nutes.
"Itol
dhim.
"
Allr
ight,
butmakeitquick.
"Withakisstomy
f
orehead,hesaunt
eredaway.Notwantingt
o
wastemyt i
me,IheadedtoNico'
sroom.
Iknockedbefor
eenter
ingNico'
sbedroom.He
wassitti
ngonthebed,abunchoftextbooks
openedinfr
ontofhim.Nicostudi
edwayt oo
much; hewasdeter
minedtofoll
owhisdream
ofbecomingadoctor.
Hel
ookedupwhenIenter
ed."
HeyAl
i
ce,
you'
re
l
eav
ingnow?"Ni
coasked.
"
Yes,
Ijustcametotel
lyouthatyoushoul
dbe
i
nbedbyeleven,
"Isai
d.Eventhoughi
twasa
weekend,
Idi
dn'
twantmybr
otherst
ayi
ngup
l
ate.
"Yeah,don'
tworr
y.I'
m almostdonewithmy
homewor kandrevi
sion,andI
'l
lsl
eepafter
doingabitofr
eading,"Nicor
espondedwitha
smile.
"Good,
andift
hereisanythi
ngyouneed,l
etme
knowimmediatel
y.Ihavemycell
phonewith
mesodon'thesit
atetocall
me,
"Isaid.
"Don'tworry,
I'
ll
bef i
ne."Gi
vi
nghim asmal
l
smile,Ilef
thisroom andwentt
omeetChrisi
n
theli
v i
ngroom.
HewasswipingawayonhiscellphonewhenI
ar
ri
ved."
Readytogo?"Iasked.
Hesmi l
edbefor
eputti
nghi sphoneaway."Yes.
Let'
sgo,"hesai
d,andtogetherwelef
tthe
castl
eandheadedtothef unct
ion,
mynervesa
j
angledmess.
Whenwear ri
vedatt hegrandhotel
,Iwasinawe.
Itwasal of
tybui l
dingwi tharedcarpetf
lowi
ng
downt hestair
s.Af ewcamer amenwer e
standingaround,snappi ngpict
uresof
i
nf l
uenti
alpeoplefilter
ingoutofthecarsand
enteri
ngthehot el.
ThechauffeuropenedourdoorandChr i
sandI
sl
ippedout.TosayIwasner v
ouswoul dbean
underst
atement.I
twasoneoft hosemoment s
whereIwishedIhadmyneckl ace;al
though,i
fI
di
dhav eit,
Iwould'
vetwist
edittobreaking
point
.
Weenteredthegrandhal landIhadnev erseen
somuchgl i
tzandgl amorinmywhol elife.
Therewasnotasi nglespotwhi chwasn' t
gli
mmeringinthelight.I
twasbr eatht
aki ng.
Therewereaconsi der
ablenumberoft ables
whichweredecoratedt operfecti
on.Acrossthe
tabl
eswasacl ear
edspace, whichIassumed
wasadancef l
oor.
"Chri
s,youfi
nal
lyar
ri
ved!"Amanwhol ookedto
beaboutChris'
sagewalkedtowardusand
gavehim abrot
herl
yhug.Themanhadshaggy
brownhairandbott
legreeneyesandastrong
muscularbody.
"Jared,yousureknowhowt othr
owachar i
ty
function,
"comment edChrisasheretur
nedthe
hug, whil
eIjustst
oodt her
ebyChr i
s'
sside,
obser vi
ngthetwooft hem.
"Thanksmate,
"Jaredsaidbef
orehi seyes
l
andedonme." Andy oumustbet hebeaut i
ful
l
adywhomanagedt osnagChrishear t
."Jared
tookmyhandandpl acedasmal l
ki ssonthe
backofit
."Hel
lo,
I'
m Jared,
"hesai d.
Snaghi
shear
t?!Yeahr
ight
!
"
Hel
l
o,I
'
m Al
i
ce,
nicet
omeety
ou,
"Isai
dsof
tl
y.
"I
'm gl
adtofi
nal
l
ymeety ou.Thi
sarseholeover
herehasbeenhi
dingy oufrom t
heworld.Now
thatI'
vef
inal
l
ymety ou,Icanseewhy ,
"Jared
st
ated.
Yes,
becauseI
'
m poorandhei
sembar
rassedof
me.
Ididn'
treply,
becauseIhadnoi deawhetherhe
waspr ai
singmeori nsult
ingme.However,Idi
d
startt
ogetuncomf ortabl
e.Chri
ssensi
ngt hi
s,
wrappedhi sarm ar
oundme, securi
ngmet o
hi
m.
"
Don'
tscaremygirl
,Jar
ed,
goandseei
fLaur
a
i
sher
e."Chri
stol
dhim.
"Thatwomanseri
ousl
ymessesmeup,
"Jar
ed
commentedbefor
eturni
ngonhi
sheel
sand
walki
ngawayfr
om us.
"
Isheyourfri
end?"IaskedChr i
s,whowasled
met oagroupofpeople,al
ldressedimpeccabl
y,
t
heirat
ti
rescreamingwealth.Ij
usthopedthatI
l
ookedthepartofrichandpower f
ul.
"Yes,
butav
eryir
ri
tati
ngone,"repl
i
edChr
isj
ust
befor
ehegr
eetedotherpeople.
Fort henextthi
rtymi nutes,hegr eetedand
i
nt r
oducedmet oalmostev eryonewhowas
presentatthefunct i
on.It r
iedmybestt osmil
e
andt alkt
opeopl e,butitwasl ikethepeoplehad
theirheart
sencasedi nabl ockofi ce.Noone
trul
ysmi l
ed;Itr
iedt otalkonel adyandshegav e
meal ookthatsaid'Whyar eyout alki
ngtome,
woman? '
.
Thenexthourconsi stedofawonder f
uldi
nner
withaf ourcoursemeal andJar edannounci
ng
theoutrageousamountofmoneyt hathadbeen
coll
ected,whichwoul dallbegiventothe
chil
dren'shospi
t al
.Iwast ouchedknowingthat
ri
chpeopl eweren'tthatbad.Suretheywere
snobbyandmeanatt imes,butatleastt
hey
donatedmoneyt ocharit
y,evenifi
twasonlyto
showt hewor l
d.
Assoonaswef ini
shedourmeal,Jared
announcedt
hatitwasti
met odance, andthe
orchest
rast
art
edplayi
ngthei
rinstr
ument s,and
soonev eryonewasdancing.Iwant edtodance
withChrisbuthewasdanci ngwi thTri
shandhe
hadpromi sedanotherl
adythathewasgoi ngto
dancewi t
hheraf t
erthesongf inished.I
twas
thenthatIdecidedtogotot hel ady'sr
oom and
tocallhomeandmakesur et hatNi cowasi n
bed.
Sowi thafi
nalgl
anceatChris,Imademyway
tothebathr
oom.Oncei nsi
dethepr i
sti
newall
s
ofthebathroom,Ient
eredoneofthef our
empt yst
all
sandquickl
yreli
evedmy self
.Thi
s
pregnancywaslooseni
ngupmybl adder.
Oncerel
ieved,Ist
oodupandf i
xedmydr ess.
JustasIwasaboutt oexit
,Iheardvoice.I
t
soundedasiftwoladieswereconversing.And
bythei
rtone,Icoul
dtellt
hattheywerenot
happy.
"Di
dy ouseethatwomanhebroughtal
ongwit
h
him,sheresemblesadwarf
.Theyl
ook
ri
dicul
oustogether
,"sai
dahi
ghpit
chedvoi
ce
whi
chbel
ongedt
oladynumberone.
"Iknowandsheisalr
eadypregnant
,di
dyousee
thatbump.Shedoesn'tev
enknowhowt odress
upt ohi
dethatbump,"sai
dasli
ghtl
ydeepvoice
whichbelongedtol
adynumbertwo.
"Wel
lI'
m gl
adthepipsqueakwouldnotstay
wit
hChrisf
orever
.Justwaitt
il
lthi
syearends
andwewon'thavetoseethatmidgetagai
n,"
l
adynumberondst at
ed.
Myhear tcr
ackedatheari
ngthem.Theywere
talki
ngaboutme.Iplacedahandonmyt ummy ;
Chr i
ssaidt
hatthebumpwasn'tnoti
ceabl
e,but
clearl
yhewaslying,
thesetwohaddefi
nit
ely
not i
ced.
"Whatdoyoumean?He'
sgoingt
odi
vor
ceher
?"
Ladynumbert
woquesti
oned.
"
Obvi
ousl
y,di
dy ounotseethead?Chri
sonly
mar
ri
edtheuglydwarfbecauseofababy.Once
t
hebabycomes,heisgoi
ngt ogetr
idofher
.
Goodforhim,hedeserv
essomeonemuch
bet
ter
,"st
atedladynumberone.
"Whodoyout
hinkhe'
l
lmar
ryt
hen?
"Lady
numbert
woenquir
ed.
"Idon'
tknow, hopeful
lyit'
llbesomeonewi t
h
classandaper sonali
ty,andhopef ul
lyshewon'
t
resembleanugl ydwarf,"repl
iedladynumber
one."Bytheway ,j
ustbet weent hetwoofus,he
didsaythathewoul dliket otakemeout
somet i
me,"shesaid.
"
Wow,luckyyou.Icanonlydream aboutbei
ng
wi
thamanl i
keChr i
s,
"ladynumbert wosaid
wi
thadeject
edsigh.
Ladynumberonechuckled."Comeon, we
shoul
dgetgoing.Hopefull
yIcangetChristo
dancewit
hmebef orethisnighti
sover,
"lady
numberonesaidandthenIhear dthecl
acking
ofret
reat
inghi
ghheels.
OnceIhear
dthebat
hroom cl
osi
ng,
Iexi
tedmy
stallandwentst r
aighttothesi nk.Asobbr oke
throughmeasIr eplayedtheconv er
sati
oninmy
head.Ti mewaspassi ngawayr apidly
,andat
endofDecember ,Chriswasgoi ngtokickme
out.Iwoul dwatchhi m marrysomeone
else,
someonewhowoul dberichandknewhow
todressup.Shewoul dbet all
andwoul dnot
l
ookr i
dicul
ousstandingnextt ohim.Chr i
s
woul dhav eaherdofwomen, beggi nghimt o
mar rythem,whileIwoul dhavenoone.
You'
reast
rongwoman.Sincewhendidyou
needaman?Mysubconscioussneer
ed.
SincethemomentIst
art
edt
ofal
lformy
husband.
Quickl
yopeningmyclutch,Itouchedupmy
makeupandf or
cedmy sel
ftost opcryi
ng.I
f
ChrissawthatIhadbeencr y
ing,hewouldget
upsetandhisnightwouldber ui
ned,andIwas
notgoingt
ol ett
hathappen.
AssoonasIhadpul l
edmy sel
ftogether
,It
ook
outmycellphoneanddi al
ledhome.Af t
er
tal
ki
ngtoSuzyandmaki ngsurethatNicowas
i
nbed,Igavemy selfonefi
nal gl
anceinthe
mirr
or,
tomakesur eIdidnotlookli
keIhad
beencryi
ng,
beforeexiti
ngthebathroom.
Il
ookedaroundforChri
sonlyt
oseehi m
danci
ngwithastrangewoman.Ibitmylipas
myheartachedatthesi
ghtofmyhusband
l
aughinganddancingwit
hanotherwoman.It
wascleart
hathedidnotmissmypr esence.
Looki
ngaroundf
orapl
acetosi
t,Ist
art
ed
makingmywaytowar
dsthechai
rswhenadeep
voi
cestoppedme.
"Whyi sabeaut if
ulwomanl i
keyounot
dancing?"Iturnedaroundandsawaman
aroundt wentyeightst
andingwithasmi l
eon
hisface.Ididn'tr
emembert heman'sname, I
j
ustknewt hathewasoneofChr i
sbusiness
partners,becauseChrishadint
roducedmet o
hi
m.
"Uh—I
'
m ali
tt
letir
ed,
"Isai
d,notwant
inghi
mto
knowther
ealreasonIwasnotdanci
ng.
"Tooti
redt
ohonort
hismanonedance?
"He
asked.
"I
'
m sorr
y?"Ibl
i
nkedathi
mi nconf
usi
on.Hi
s
darkbl
ueeyessear
chedmine.
"
I'
m aski
ngyouifyou'dl
i
ketodancewi
thme,
if
y
ou'r
enottooti
red,"her
epl
i
ed.
Hisrequestt
ookmebysur pri
se.Ididn'
tthi
nk
anyonewouldwanttodancewi t
hme, evenChri
s
di
dn't.Butwi
thsurpr
isecamehesitati
on;Chri
s
wouldn'tbemad,wouldhe?
Rightnow, hehasnoi deathatyouev enexi
st,
andev enifhedid,hedoesn'tcare.Youshould
dancewi t
hhi m,atleasthewantst odancewith
you.Mysubconsci ousstated.
"
Sur
e,I
'
dlov
eto.
"Igav
ethemanmyhandand
hel
edmet
othedancef
loor
.
"
So,di
dyoul
i
kethechar
it
yev
ent?"Heasked
measweswayedtot
hemusic.
"Yes,itwasamazi
ng.Ify
oudon'
tmindme
asking,whati
syournameagai
n?"Iquest
ioned.
"
Mynamei
sJust
in,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"Oh,thanky oufortel
l
ingme.I
t'
sjustthatChri
s
i
ntroducedmet osomanypeopleIlosttrackof
names, "Iexpl
ained.
"
That'
sal
lri
ght
,noworri
es.It
'sashamet
hat
y
ou'r
emarri
ed,
"Just
instat
ed.
"
Whatdoy
oumean? "Washesay
ingt
hatChr
is
madeami
stakebymarr
yingme?
"
Imean, i
fyouweren'
tmar ri
ed,Iwoul
d'
veasked
youout,
may beevenasky outobemygirl
fri
end.
Chri
sisoneluckyman,"Justi
nsaidbl
untl
y.
"
Oh."Hi
swordstookmebysur
pri
se.Ihadno
i
deaanyonewoul
dwantmetobetheirgi
rl
fr
iend.
Justin'
swor dsmademef eelhappyforsome
reason.ButIcouldn'
ttel
lhim aboutmi neand
Chriscontractandthatourmar ri
agewasonl y
foray ear
.IwishedIcouldthough, Iwouldn'
t
mindhav i
ngJust i
nasaboy f
riendeit
her.
"
Ify
oudon'tmind,
I'
dli
ketohavemywif
eback,
"
Chr
issai
d,hi
stonefi
rm,hi
seyeshar
d.
Just
inr
eleasedmeandst
eppedback."Of
cour
se,
Chr i
s,i
twasni
cet
oseeyou,"Justi
n
sai
dbeforegiv
ingmeasmal
lsmil
eandl eavi
ng.
Ieyedhi
m wi t
hconfusion.Whatwasheplayi
ng
at?Notonlyhedidn'
twanttodancewi t
hme, he
didn'
twantanybodyelsedanci
ngwi t
hmeei t
her.
Andnowhewasl ooki
ngatmel ikehewanted
todosomet hi
ngrash.
Befor
eIcouldutteraword,het
ookmywr i
sti
n
ati
ghtholdanddr aggedmeawayfrom the
dancefl
oor.Ihadnochoicebuttofol
low,
bewil
der
ed.Hedr aggedmeupt hestair
sand
pushedmeinsi
dethefi
rstr
oom hecameupon
assoonashereachedt
hesecondfloor
.
"
Chriswhat '
swrong,whyarey ouact
ingli
ke
t
his?"Iasked,asIsawChrisdiscar
dinghi
ssui
t
j
acketandr ol
li
nguphissleeves.
"Thatwasthelastst
raw,Al
i
ce.That'
sthel
ast
ti
mey ouaregoingtobewithastr
angeman,"
hesaid,hi
seyesglowingwi
thfur
y.
"
Whatareyoutalkingabout
?Iwasonl
ydanci
ng
wi
thJust
in,
"Istated.
"Exactl
y.Howdareyoudancewithastr
ange
manwheny ou'
remarr
iedtome? !
"Heal
lbut
shouted,hepushedmeont hebedandcli
mbing
ont opofme.
"Youwer
edancingwit
hstr
angewomenallni
ght
l
ong,Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hingt
oyou,
"Ir
esponded
angri
l
y.
"That
'sdi
ff
erent
,Iknowt
hosewomen,
"he
stat
ed.
"
AndIknowJust
in,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Noyoudon'
t
.You'
remywif
e!Theonl
ymany
ou
shoul
dbedanci
ngwit
h,i
sme,"hesai
d.
"Yeahwell,y
oudidn'twanttodancewi thme.I
knowI '
m anembarrassmentt oyou,Itol
dy ou
beforeyou'
rebett
erofftakingsomeoneel se
withyou,butyoudidn'
tli
sten,
"Isaid,t
ears
welli
ngupinmyey es.
Hefrowned."
Whatareyout
alki
ngabout?
You'
renotanembarr
assment.You'
reper
fect
,"
hesaidwit
hconv
ict
ion.
"Thenwhydidn'
tyouwanttodancewithme?"I
asked,t
earsfl
owingfr
om myeyes.IknewIwas
pathet
icandweak,butIcoul
dn'
thel
plovi
nghim.
Heki ssedmyt earstainedcheeksbef ore
placi
nghi sf
oreheadonmi ne."Ohmyl i
ttl
efair
y,
you'r
enotanembar r
assment,farfrom it
actuall
y.Iwasgoi ngtodancewi t
hy ou.Isaved
thelastdancef oryou.Iwasgoi ngtodance
wit
hy ouint
hecenterofthedancef
loorand
aft
erthedanceIwasgoingtokissy
oui nfr
ont
ofevery
oneandtel
l ev
eryoneyouar
emywi f
e."
Hetoldme.
"Whythel
astandnotthefir
st?
"Ienqui
red,my
hear
tswel
li
ngwithhappinessathi
swor ds.
"Becauseyoupr egnantwi t
hmybaby .Andi fI
haddancedwi thy ouf i
rstt
henIwould'v enever
stoppeddancing;y ouwould'vebeent i
red,andI
can'thav
emypr egnantwi feexhaust
ed. "He
kissedmet enderl
y ,pouri
ngallhi
ssincer i
tyand
emot i
onsinthatkiss.
"Justi
nsaidhewant edmetobehisgi
rl
fri
end.
"I
tol
dChr i
s,secret
lywanti
nghimtobe
j
ealous.Hekissedmedeeply."
Poorman.You
belongtome, for
ever,
"hest
ated.
"
Notoncet
hisy
earends,
"Ir
emi
ndedhi
m.
"
We'
ll
see,li
tt
ledove,we'
l
l see.I'
m neverl
ett
ing
y
ougo,notnow,notever
,"her esponded,
ki
ssi
ngmei
nawi
l
dlypossessi
vemanner
.
Iwant edtotel
lhimt hatIwouldleavehim once
thi
sy earwasov er,
butInev ergotthechance.
Heki ssedmeunt il
If or
goteveryt
hingbuthis
presenceandt hatfeeli
ngofhislipsasthey
mol dedwithmineandmademef eell
oved.
OhChr
is,
whatwer
eyoudoi
ngt
ome?
.
.
Mondayi
tis!
..
..
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t25<3
.
.
.
*
**Mar
ch3r
d,2002
DearDi
ary
,
It
'shappeni
ng.Mywor stnight
mar eiscoming
tr
ue.Myf at
herhasarrangedf ormet omar r
y
Alej
androinSeptember ,16thSeptembertobe
preci
se.Ihaven'
ttol
dhi m aboutHenr y
,butnow
Ithi
nkIshould.Butfi
rst,Ihavetotalktochri
s,
he'l
lknowthebestwayt oapproachfather
.
Myfatherhastoagreewithmi neandHenr y'
s
bond,hehasnoopt i
onbutt oagree.Thereisno
oneIwill
mar r
yexceptHenr y.Iwi
shmyf ather
hadaskedformyconsent ,butno,myf ather
wasadomi nantchauvini
st.Accordi
ngt ohim,
womenwer en'tf
itt
omakel i
fechanging
deci
si
ons, i
twasami racl
ehowhel etmum
makesomedeci
sions.
Ihav
en'
tevent
oldmymot hert
hatIloveHenry
andwantt
omarryhim.Tr
uthbetold,Idon'
t
knowhowshe'
ll
react
.Wouldsheunder st
andor
will
sher ejectthei dea?I
fmymotherwouldnot
supportme, Idon'tknowwhowill
.Ihavet
otell
mymum, butf i
rstIneedtot
ell
Chris,
my
brother
,mybestf r
iend.
Ifmyf ami l
ywon' tagr
ee,thenI '
llrunawaywi t
h
Henr y.Healreadyhasadecentj obandhi s
grandpar ent
slefthim asmal lfortune.Andif
wor stcomest opass, I
'l
lfi
ndaj obandear n
money .HenryandIhav ealreadyt alkedabout
allthepossibil
it
ies.Hewi l
lhav enopr obl
em i
n
eloping,becausehej ustwant stobewi thme,
forever.
Ij
ustwi
shmyf
ami
l
yunder
stands.
El
i
zabet
h.*
***
Iclosedt hejour
nalsoft
lybefor
eplacingitback
i
nsidet hebiggerjour
nalandputti
ngitbackon
theshel f
.Afterr
eadinganotherofEl
izabeth'
s
entri
es,Ihadaf eeli
ngthatshewouldr unaway,
andi twasn'tbecauseshewasn'thereright
now—itwasthedet
ermi
nat
ioni
nthosewor
ds
thatt
oldme.
Wal kingupt othesixt
hf l
oor,Iglancedatthe
staircasethatwouldleadt othesev enthfl
oor .
May beIcoul dsneakanot hertri
pt othe
forbiddenterri
tory
.Howev er,thethoughtwas
thereonlyf orasecondbef oreIdispell
edit.I
woul dnotgot hereanymor e,Iwoul donlygoup
therewhenChr iswouldallowme.If el
tsli
ghtly
guilt
yaboutgoi ngupt hereagainstChr i
swi shes,
sot histi
me, Iwouldnottogi veintocur i
osity.
Wit
honef i
nal glanceatthebookshel
ves,I
exi
tedtheli
braryandwentbackt omybedr oom.
AssoonasIent ered,
Iwassurpri
sedtosee
Chri
sstandi
ngt her ewit
hasmi l
eonhisface.
Hewasst i
lldressedinhisworkatt
ir
e,butIhad
noideawhathewasdoi ngbackhomesosoon.
"Hell
oli
tt
leone,
wherewereyou?
"Chr
isasked,
comingtostopinf
rontofmeandgi
vi
ngmea
tenderki
ss.
"Iwasintheli
brar
y,whatareyoudoi
nghereso
soon?Ithoughtyouwon'tbehomeunti
lfi
ve,
"I
enqui
red.
"All
mymeet i
ngswer eoverandtherewas
nothingelsethatrequi
redmyat t
ent
ion,soI
thought,whynotspendt herestoft
hedaywi t
h
mywi f
e."hecaressedmycheekwi t
ht heback
ofhishand.
Sincetheni ghtoft hecharit
yev entt
woday s
ago,hehadbeenv erysweett ome.Mor eso
thaninthepast .Afterourli
ttl
eargumenti nthe
hotelr
oom, ChrisandIdancedt helastdanceof
theevening, andhest ay
edt ruetohiswor ds
aboutkissingmeatt heendoft hedanceand
announcingt oev eryonethatIwashi swi f
e.I
wouldbel yingifIsai dthatthesourlookont he
women' sfaceswhenChr isannouncedt hatI
washiswi fedi dn'tgivemeasat i
sfi
edf eeling.I
betthewomenwhower etalkingshitaboutme
werequitef uri
ousathear i
ngal lt
hat,andt hat
mademef
eel
all
thebet
ter
.
"Oh?Wel l
then,
howwil
lyoul
i
ket
ospendt
he
day?"Iaskedwit
hasmil
e.
"Wellfi
rst
,Ihavetogiveyousomethi
ng.I
ttook
alongtimet oarri
ve,
"Chri
ssaid,
moving
towardshisnightst
andandpicki
ngupabook
thatr
esembl edthefamil
yjour
nalsi
nthe
archi
ves.
"
Yourj
our
nal
isher
e."Chr
ishandedmet
het
hick
j
our
nal
.
"
Wow, it
'skindofheavy.Howmanypagesdoes
t
hishave?"Ienqui
red.Accordi
ngt oBrenton,I
wassupposedt ogetthesmalljournalsi
nceI
woul
donl ybehereforay ear
,butthisj
ournal
wasbig,li
keIwasgoingt obeChr i
swifeforever
.
"
Ithasexact
lyonet
housandpages,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"Whyonet housand?They earonlyhasthree
hundredandsi xt
yfiveday
s."Iranmyhandov er
thepaper,
f eel
i
ngt hesmoothness.Icouldtel
l
t
hepaperusedi
nthej
our
nal
wasexpensi
ve.
"
Justbecause,
"her
esponded.
"Therestofthej
ournalwil
lgot owaste,
areyou
sureyouwantmet of ol
l
owt hisfamil
ytradi
ti
on
ofyours?"Ir
eall
yli
kedthejournal,
andwouldn't
mindkeepingitasmysecr etdiar
y.
"Yes.
"hecamecl osetome."Becauseyou'
remy
famil
ynow, andthi
sbaby."Heputahandonmy
tummy ."I
salsoapartofit
.Bothofyouarenow
Palmer,soyoumustf ol
l
owt hePalmer
tradi
ti
on."
Hiswor dsleftmest unned.Di dhejustimply
thatIwouldbehi swi feforever?Buthecouldn't
havemeanti t,Imean, wesignedacont r
act,so
hemustknowt hatthismar r
iagewoul dendin
l
esst hanay ear.Butt hen,
whydi dhiswor dsfel
t
l
ikeasi fhewast alkingaboutaf oreverandnot
j
ustaf ewmont hs?
"
Okay
,I'
l
lwr
it
e,buty
ouwon'
tbeal
l
owedt
oread
i
t.
"It
oldhi
m.
"Don'tworr
y,li
tt
lepeach,yourj
ournalisyour
ownpr opert
y.Noonewi llr
eaditexceptforyou,
i
t'sallyour
s.Bytheway ,t
omor r
owwehav e
anotherdoctor'
sappointment,
you'l
lgetan
ult
rasound,sober eadyatten,
"heinformedme.
Ipl
acedthej ournalont hebedandf l
opped
downont hemat t
ress.Thet hi
rdmonthwas
comingtopass, leavingonl yninemont hsuntil
mymar ri
agewasov er.Tosomepeopl e,nine
monthsmi ghtseem l ikeal otofti
me,butnot
me.Forme, ninemont hswer eequalt
oni ne
weeks,andIst i
l
l neededapr operjobandan
apar
tment.May bei naf ewday sIwouldst ar
t
l
ookingforanapar tment .
"Sowhatdoy ouwanttodo?
"hequest
ioned,
comingtositbesi
deme.Hehadchangedoutof
hisworkat
ti
reandwasnowwear i
nganor ange
shir
twit
hbluejeans.
"Whatev
eryouwant ,"Ir
epl
i
ed,hopeful
l
yhe
wouldnotwanttohav esex,l
astni
ghtlef
tme
sor
e.ButwhatIr eal
lywant
edwasf orhimtot
ell
meaboutElizabethandwhathappenedtoher
.
Wassheev enalive?
"
Hav
eyouev
err
iddenonahor
se?
"Heenqui
red.
"
No,
butIal
way
swant
edt
o,"Ianswer
ed.
"
Great
,thenthat'
swhatwe'l
ldo.
"Wi
thout
wai
ti
ngf ormetorespond,
hetookmyhandl
ed
meoutoft hecast
le.
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"Iquer
ied,
wal
ki
ngbesi
de
him.
"
Hor
sebackr
idi
ng,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"Okay,butwherearewegoi ngt
ogetahorse
from?"Ienqui
red,enj
oyingthecar
efr
eeway
Chriswasbehav i
ng.Ihadseenhiscar
efr
eeside
butnotliket
his,i
twaslikehehadnoworri
es.
"
Ohl
i
ttl
edov
e,don'
tyouknowbynow,
ther
eis
nothingIdonotown.
"Taki
ngmyhandonce
again,hest
art
edtoruni
nthedi
rect
ionofGod
knewwhat .
"Chri
sslowdown. "Igiggl
ed, enjoy
ingthe
feeli
ngoft hewindcar essingmyf ace.This
placewasst range;thesegr oundswer est
range.
Whenev erIhadcomeher e,itwaslikeal
lmy
wor r
iestookabackseatandIwasl eftwi
th
nothingbutpeaceandhappi ness.
"
I'
ll
slowdownwhenwe'
l
lreach,
"her
esponded.
"
Reachwher
e?"
Nosoonerhadt hequestionl eftmymout hthatI
sawahugewoodenbui lding.Itwashumor ous,
withplentyofroom forhor ses,whichwere
pokingt hei
rheadsoutoft heirstablesand
munchi ngonhay .Neverinmyl if
ehadIseenso
manyhor sesi
nonepl ace, withsomany
dif
ferentcolor
sandsi zes.
"Youhaveyourownst
ables?"Iaskedwhi
l
e
star
ingatt
hegrandst
ructur
einawe.
"Yes,comeon,I
'l
li
ntr
oduceyoutoallthe
horses."hel
edmeallthewaytothecornerand
stoppedinfr
ontofabrownhorse.Thehorse
wasbi gandhadit
sheadburi
edinapi l
eofhay.
"ThisisNutcr
acker,
hebelongst
omyuncl
e
Fred,sayhell
o."hei
ntr
oducedmetoNut
cracker
.
"
Hel
l
oNut
cracker
,"Isai
dhesi
tant
ly.
"
He'sthel
asthorsefrom myfather'
sgenerati
on.
Uncl
eFredistheyoungest,
sohi shorsei
st he
l
astoneofhisgenerati
on,
"heinformedme.
"
Wher
eisy
ourhor
se?
"Iasked.
"Ohhe'soverhere."Weskippedt
hehor
sewhich
wasnexttoNut crackerandmovedont
othe
nextone.
"
Thisi
smyhor se.Ihaveot
herhorses,
butt
his
wasmyfi
rsthorse,Igothi
m att
heageofseven,
hi
snamei
sThunder
."Thehor
sewasbl
ackand
huge.
"
Wow, he'
smagnif
icent
,"Icommented,
myhand
i
tchi
ngtorunov
erthesmoot hbl
ackcoat.
"
Thankyou.Hecamestari
ghtf
rom Ar
ab,andis
t
hebestofhiski
nd.Goon,t
ouchhi
m,"heurged.
Sl
owly
,Irai
sedmyhandandgl idedi
tovert
he
hor
se'
ssmoot h,shinycoat
.Iwasgladwhenthe
hor
sedidn'
tattackme.Her eal
l
ywas
magni
fi
cent,j
ustlikehisowner
.
"
Whydi
dyounamehi
m Thunder
?"Ienqui
red.
"Youhaven'
tseent hespeedandpowerwi t
h
whichherunswi t
h.He'sincredibl
yfastand
str
ong,Keir
ansuggestedt henameThunderf or
him,andIagreed,
"heanswer ed,pat
ti
ngthe
horsewit
haf f
ecti
on.
IwasabouttotouchThunderonceagainwhen
myeyeslandedonanotherhorse,
theonewe
hadski
pped.Itwasthemostbeautif
ulhor
seI
hadev erseen.Chr
ishor
sewasmagni
fi
cent
,but
thathorsewassimplybeaut
if
ul.
Itwasconsiderabl
ysmall
erthanChrishorse.
Whilehi
shor sehadabeautif
ulshiny
,blackcoat,
thathor
sehadawhi t
ecoat.I
tlookedinnocent
andbeauti
ful.
"Whosehor sei
st hat?"Iquesti
oned,poi
ntedat
thehorse.hi
sexpressionwentf r
om happyto
guardedasheey edt hehorseIwaspoi nt
ingat.
Wher ehewassmi l
ing,nowhewasf rowning.
hisexpressi
ongav emeani deaaboutwhot hat
horsebelongedto.
"Thati
sPearl
.Shebel
ongst
oaf
ami
l
ymember
,"
herepl
ied.
"
Who?"Iasked,
wonder
ingi
fIwaspushi
ngmy
l
uck.
Chri
swal kedovertoPearlandranan
aff
ecti
onatehandov erher."
Shebelongst
omy
bestf
riend,"hest
ated,sadnessfl
ashi
nginhi
s
ey
es.
"Wi
lly
outel
lmeabouther
?"Ienqui
red,
looki
ng
att
hebeaut
iful
hor
se.
"Maybe,
butnotr
ightnow.Tellmewhi
chhorse
doyouwanttori
deon? "heaskedme,
thesmil
e
backonhisf
ace.
"Il
ikeThunder,
canwer i
deonhi m?"Ienquir
ed,
mar chi
ngovertostandinfrontofThunder.For
nowIwoul dn'
tpesterhi
mi ntotel
li
ngmeabout
Eli
zabeth,
he'dtel
lmei nhisownt i
me.
"Sure,l
etmejustgethi
mr eady
.Whydon' tyou
goandgr abthehelmet
sf r
om ther
e? "he
pointedatsmall
cabinnexttot
hest ables.
Iquickl
ywentt othecabi nandl
ookedinside
withwonderasIgazedatt hevari
ousridi
ng
gears.Iwantedtost ayandlookaroundbutI
knewhewant edmebackassoonaspossi bl
e,
otherwisehewoul dthinkIcoul
dn'
thandlethe
si
mpl etaskoffindingacoupleofhelmets.
Grabbingtwohelmetsfr
om theshel
f,Iexi
ted
thecabinandjoggedbacktoChriswhowas
standingnextt
oThunder.Thehorsewasnow
wearingasaddleandlookedreadyt
ogo.
"
Aret
heseokay
?"Ihel
dupt
hehel
met
stohi
m.
"Per
fect
."Taki
ngoneofthehel
mets,heputi
t
overmyheadandtiedt
hebuckleundermychin.
Thenhet ookhi
sownhelmetandti
edit.
"
Ready?
"heaskedhol
dingouthi
shandf
orme
t
otake.
Withant i
cipati
onandexci t
ementcoursing
thr
oughmyv eins,Itookhi
shand.Hecar ef
ull
y
l
ift
edmeup; Iquickl
yshift
edonelegov erthe
horseandi naf ewsecondswassitt
ingont he
saddle.Iwant edt ohookmyfeetinthatli
tt
le
spacer eservedf orf
eetbutmylegswer etoo
small.
hecli
mbedinbehindmeandgavemet herei
ns.
"Youal
lri
ght
,li
tt
lepeach?
"Heasked,
wr appi
ng
hi
sar
msar
oundme.
"
Yes,
thi
sfeel
snice.Ithi
nkt
hishor
sei
sal
i
ttl
e
t
oobigf
orme,"Istat
ed.
"Yeshei s,soonI'l
lbuyahor sef oryoual
ong
withther i
dinggeariny oursize;youneeda
propergearf orhorsebackriding.Areyouready
togo? "hegav ethereinsinmyhandsagent le
tugandt hehor sestartedmov ing;myheart
j
umpedsl i
ght l
yatthesuddenmov ement.
"
Youdon'thavet
obuymeahor se,
it'
snotli
ke
I
'
llr
ideitmuch,
"Isai
d,t
hehor
secontinued
f
orward.
"Don'tbesi
ll
y,I
'
llbuyy
ouahorse,
"hest
ated.He
clearl
yhadalotofmoneyt
othrowawayat
uselessthi
ngs.
Thehorsecont
inuedmov i
ngatasl owpace,
whil
ethewindrustl
edthetr
eesandbl ewmy
hai
r.I
twasperfect
.IneverthoughtIwoul
dever
getachancetori
deonahor se,
butChri
shad
onceagai
nful
fi
ll
edmywi
sh.Het
rul
ywas
amazing.
Youcan'
tl
ovehi
m.Mysubconsci
ousst
ated.
Tool
ate.I
'
m al
readyi
nlov
ewi
thhi
m.
Wemadesmal ltal
kasthehorsewal
kedar ound
thegar
den.Nothi
ngcouldcomparet
ot he
peaceandbli
ssthatIwasfeel
i
ngatthatvery
moment.
Suddenly
,ourpeacefult
imewasshatt
eredby
thesoundofChriscell
phone.Hequi
cklyfi
shed
i
toutofhispocketandwi t
hafrownaccepted
thecal
l.
"
Hel
l
o?"
I
twassi l
enceashel i
stenedtothepersonon
theotherli
ne."
Uhhuh—I ssheall
ri
ght?
—Yes—Al lri
ght—I
'll
bethereassoonas
possi
ble."hehungupandsl i
ppedhiscellphone
backinhispocket.
"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"IaskedChr
is.
"Ihavetogo, somet hingimport
antcameup.I'm
real
lysorry,l
it
tl
edov e,we'l
lgori
dinganot
her
ti
me, okay?"Hequi cklyledthehorsebackto
thestables,befor
eget t
ingofft
hehorseand
careful
lypull
ingmedown.
"I
t'
sokay,butwi
l
lyout
ell
mewhathappened?
"I
enqui
red.
"A—Friendofminefell
il
l,soIhavet
ogosee
her.
"her epl
ied,
gui
dingthehorsebacki
nsi
de
thestables.
"Oh,canIcomewithyou?"Iwant
edt
omake
surehisf
riendwasal
lri
ght.
"
Not hat'
sal
lri
ght,l
i
ttl
efai
ry,
I'
ll
goalone.She
f
reaksoutwhensheseesnewpeopl e,sothat'
s
whyit'
ll
bebett
erifyoudon'
tcomewi thme,"he
r
esponded,l
eadingmebackt othecastl
e.
"Okay
, Ihopeshe'
sokay.Whenwil
lyoucome
back?"IaskedasIwatchedhi
m gr
abbinghi
s
carkey
sandhi
swal
l
et.
"I
'l
lbebacki
naf ewhours.Ifyouneedany t
hing,
callmeimmediat
ely,
okay?"Hejoggeddown
thestai
rswi
thmef ol
lowi
ngbehi nd.I
tlookedas
i
fhisfri
endwasinsomeser iousdangerthe
wayhewasr unni
ngabout.
"
Yes,
nopr
obl
em,
takecar
e,"Isai
d.
Gi
vingmequi
ckpeckonthel
ips,
heexited
t
hrought
hefr
ontdoor
."Seey
oulater
."
"
Bye.
"
Wow, Iwonderedwhohi sfr
iendwas.Iwished
hewouldstartopeni
ngupt omeandt ell
i
ngme
ever
ythi
ngthatbotheredhim.Withafi
nal
gl
anceathiscardrivi
ngaway ,Iwenti
nsi
de, a
hundredquesti
onswimmi nginmymi nd.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t26<3
.
.
.

Chrissuddendepar turelef
tmewi t
hnot hi
ngto
dobutt hi
nk.Asf arasIknewhedi dnothav e
anyfri
ends, t
henwhydi dhesayt hatthewhite
horsebelongedt ohisbestf r
iendandt hathi
s
fr
iendhadf all
enill
.Ifhealreadyhadabest
fr
iend,whydidhet ellhismum t hatIwashi s
onlyfr
iend?Myt rainofthought swashal t
ed
whenIsawaf amil
iarface.
Jennyslowlyenter
edtheli
vingroom l ooking
unsure.Ismil
edatherbeforehuggi ngher ."Hey
,
Ididn'
tknowy ouwerecomingher e,"Isaid."I
di
dn'tknowIwascomi ngher euntilKeiran
droppedmeof finfr
ontoftheentrancedoor s.
Hesai dsomethi
ngaboutaf ri
endf all
ingil
l and
neededt ogoandcheckonher ,
"sher esponded,
apuz
zledexpr
essi
oncr
ossi
ngherf
ace.
Iraisedmyey ebrowswhenIhear dJennyt ell
ing
met hatKei r
anhadusedt heexactsamewor ds
thatChr ishad." Wow, it
'sst r
angei sn'ti
t.Bot hof
them needi ngt ogot oseet heirfri
end. "Iknew
therewassomet hingChr i
swasnott elli
ngme
aboutt hisf r
iendofhi s." IthinkBr entoni sgone,
aswel l,
"Jennyst ated, sitt
ingdownont hesof a.
"Doy out hinkt hatMr .Pal meri sgone, too? "I
enqui red, sit
tingdownnextt oher .Jenny
scof fed." Mr.Pal mer ,caringf orany bodyot her
thanhi sfami ly?Idon' tthinkso, "shesai d
bit
ter ly."Whatdoy oumean? "Hadsomet hing
happenedbet weenChr is'sfatherandJenny ?
"Tellmesomet hing,Al i
ce, howi sMr .Pal mer
withy ou?Imean, howdoeshebehav e?"She
quer i
ed." Tobehonest ,themanhasbar elysai d
tenwor dstomesi nceChr i
sandIgotmar ried,
andt hatwasonl ytoputmei nmypl aceandt o
threat enmei nt omar ryingChr i
s,"Ianswer ed.
Jenny '
sey eswi dened."What ?Youwer eforced
i
ntot hi
smar r
iage? "Uhoh, Icouldn'
tbeli
eveIlet
thatsli
p,shoot !"Uh,Iwasn'texact l
yfor
ced,but
thi
smar r
iagewasar ranged."Itoldher.
Icouldn'
ttel
lheraboutt hecontract,itwoul d
breaktheclauseofkeepi ngthearrangement
betweenmeandChr i
sasecr et."
Real ly
, Ididn'
t
knowy ourmar r
iagewasar r
anged,itdoesn' t
l
ookl i
keit,
"sheut t
ered."Why ?
"Iquest ioned.
"BecauseChrislovesyou, andyoul ovehi m, soI
j
ustf i
guredyoubot hmar ri
edoutofl ov e,"she
explai
ned."What?Whatar eyoutalkingabout ?
ChrisandIdon'tloveeachot her.
"BynowI
couldfeelmycheeksheat i
ngup.
Jennywasr i
ghtaboutonet hi
ng,Ididlovehim,
alot
,buthedidn'
tfeelthesameway ."
I'
veseen
thewayhelooksaty ou,l
ikeyou'
rethereason
hegetsupeverymor ni
ngandgoest osleep
ever
ynight
,andlikeyou'r
ethereasonhesmi l
es.
AndIknowy oulovehim,Isawt hewayy ou
l
ookedathi
m whenIv
isit
edy ouguy
satthe
hospi
tal
aft
erNi
co'
ssurgery
,"shear
gued.
Ishookmyhead, notbel
ievi
ngher."
chri
sdoes
notloveme,heneverwil
l,
"Imutt
eredthelast
parttomysel
f."
Butyoulovehim,r
ight?
"Jenny
searchedmyeyesforthetr
uth.
Noddi ngmyhead, It
oldherthetruth."Yeah,I
l
ov ehim.He'sperf
ect,Jenny
,"Iconfessed.
"Chri
slovesyou,tr
ustmeont hat
."Shegav emy
handawar m, comforti
ngsqueeze.Shakingmy
head,Igaveherawar m smil
e."Allr
ight,enough
aboutmeandChr i
s,tel
lmeaboutKei ranand
howhe' swit
hy ou,
"Idemanded.
Jennyblushedandast
rangespar
klel
ither
eyesatt
hement i
onofKei
ran."
He'
s..
.i
ntense,
"
sheanswered.
"Oh,
tel
lmeallabouti
t.
"Ineverknewt
alki
ngto
anot
hergi
rlaboutmenwouldbesoentert
aini
ng,
nowonderwoment al
kedaboutmenwiththei
r
f
ri
ends.
"Well
,li
keIsai
d,he'
sint
ense;i
fIdon'tdoashe
saysthenIhavetodealwi
ththeconsequences.
Andthoseconsequencesscareme."Jenny
begunwr i
ngi
ngherhandstogether
,looki
ng
nerv
ous.
Iscootedclosert
oJenny."
Whydotheyscar
e
you?"Iaskedsoft
ly,
try
ingnott
oscar
eher.
Jennytookadeepbreath."
Okay,whatI
'
m about
totel
lyou,cany
ouli
ke...
keepi
tbetweenus,i
t'
s
aboutKeir
anandIdon'twantpeopl
etoknow."
"Ofcourse,
yoursecr
eti
ssaf
ewi
thme,
"I
assuredher.
"Well
Keir
anhast heseprefer
enceswhenit
comestosex."Jennyblushedabrightr
ed."
He
l
ikestobeincharge,
"shesaidcrypti
cal
ly
.
"
Bei
nchar
gehow?
"Ienqui
red.
"
Wel
l
,hel
i
keshi
swomensubdued,
underhi
s
mercy,"sher
esponded,
thebl
ushnotl
eav
ing
herface.
Real
izat
iondawnedonme."
Youmean,
hel
i
kes
toti
ewomenup? "
Jennynodded."Yes,
hel
ikest
aki
ngcont
rolofa
woman, hel
ikestoownhiswomeni
nbed,"she
answered.
Keir
anjustkeptsur
pri
singme.WhereIt
hought
hewasl ai
dbackandmi schi
evous,
hewasnow
i
ntenseandkinky.
Weret
her
emor
esur
pri
seswhi
chwer
eyett
o
come?
"So,
isthatagoodt
hingorabadt
hing?
"I
queri
ed.
"Bad.Verybad.ButIcan'
ttel
lKei
ranabouti
t,
"
Jennyrepli
edsoftl
y.
"
Soyouall
owKeir
antoti
eyouupevenwhen
y
ou'
renotcomf
ortabl
ewit
hit
?"Sheneededt
o
standupforher
sel
f.Iwassur
eonceKeiran
knewthatJennywasuncomfort
abl
e,he
wouldn'
tti
eherup.
Jennyshookherhead."
No,
wehav
en'
thadsex.
"
Shetol
dme.
"Howlonghavey
out
wobeendat
ing?
"I
quest
ioned.
"
Near
lysi
xmont
hs,
"sheanswer
ed.
"Andyouhaven'
thadsexupt
ilnow?"Ifel
tmy
eyesweregoingt
opopoutoft hei
rsocket
s.
"Beli
evemeKei r
anhastri
edahundredtimesto
getmei nbed,butIal
waysmakeupanexcuse
andgetoutofhav i
ngtohavesex.Idon'
tthi
nk
Keiranisgoi
ngtowaitformemuchl onger,
I'
m
surpri
sedhehaswai t
edthi
slong.
"Shet ol
dme.
"Justtel
lhi
myou'
renotcomf
ort
abl
ewi
thi
t,
"I
stated.
"
Ican'
tdot
hat
,Al
i
ce.Kei
ranhasdonesomuch
forme, andhowwoul dhefeelifIt
oldhimI
couldn'
thandlebeingti
edup."Jennylooked
utt
erlydist
raught
.
"I
fheli
kesyouandcaresaboutyouhe'
ll
under
stand.Andmaybe,i
nthefutur
eyoucan
tr
yhiswayofhavi
ngsex."
Jennyshookherhead, herey esglit
teri
ngwith
unshedtears."No,Icannev erletKeir
antieme
up.Therearethingsthathappenedt omei nthe
past;
thi
ngst hatshackleme, myhappi ness.
Thesethingspreventmef rom mov ingforwar
d,
fr
om embr aci
ngKei r
anandhi sneeds..
."
"MaybeyoucantalktoKeiranaboutit
,explai
n
whyy oucan'
thandlehi
sneeds,"Isuggested.
Wow, Jennyl
ookedsoi nnocent
,Idi
dn'tknow
thatshehadgonethroughsomuch.Iwi shedI
coulddosomethingtohelpher.
"
IfIt
ell
him,
I'
ll
losehimfor
ever,andIdon'
twant
t
olosehim,
Ali
ce.Il
ikeKei
ran,
al ot
;hemakes
mehappy,hemakesmef eel
impor
tant
;and
hi
m andhi
shappinessisimport
anttome."A
l
onetearf
ellf
rom herey
es.
"Li
keIsaid,
ifhecaresaboutyouhe'll
under
stand.Andifheli
kesy ouasmuchasI
thi
nkhedoes, I
'
m surethatyourcomfortand
happi
nessismor eimportantt
oKeiranthanhi
s
ownneeds,"Istat
ed.

"Iwi
shIwasn'tsoweak.Iwi
shIwasst
rong
enoughtofor
getmypastandmoveon,
"Jenny
mutter
ed.
"
Youar
est
rong.
"It
oldherwi
thconv
ict
ion.
Jennyshookherhead."NoI'm not.And
becauseofthi
s,I
'm goi
ngtol oseKeiran.Iknow
soonerorl
aterheisgoingtot el
lmet hathe
can'
tbewithme, andIunderstandthat;Keir
an
i
snotgoingtowai tf
ormef orever.May bethen
he'
llf
indawomanwhoi snotaski tt
ishf r
eak
l
ikeme."Shequi
ckl
ywi
pedt
het
ear
swi
thher
hand.
"You'
rewrong.Keir
anisnotl
iket
hat,andI'
m
pret
tysur
ehe'llunder
standi
fyoujustt
ell
him,
"I
stat
ed.
"
Idon'tbel
ieveyou.
"Jennytookadeepbreath.
"
Butany ways,whatar
ewegoi ngtodounti
l
Chri
sandKei r
anarri
ve?"Sheasked,
changi
ng
thesubj
ect.
"Wecanwatchaf
il
m whi
l
eeat
ingsnacks?
"I
suggest
ed.
"Per
fect
,doy
ouwantt
opi
ckt
hef
il
m?"She
queri
ed.
"No,
that
'sal
lri
ght,youpick,I
'
llgot
ellt
hemaids
tobr
ingussomesnacks. "Leavi
ngJennyto
sear
chforfi
l
ms, Iheadedtothekit
chenfor
somesnacks
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t26CONTI
NUATI
ON<3
.

OneweekhadpassedsinceChrisfr
iendhad
fal
l
enil
l,andhehadmadenomov etotel
lme
whothatfri
endwas.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngtoaskhim,I
hopedhewouldtel
lmehimself.
Thedayaf t
erhishastydesparture,wastheday
formydoct or'
sappointment.HeandIwentt o
thegynecologi
stwhot oldusthatthebabywas
fi
ne—aftergivi
ngmeanul t
rasoundandt hat
we'dknowt hesexoft hebabynextmont h.
Chri
shear i
ngt hi
stoldmet hatheal r
eadyknew
i
twast heboy ,
becauseofthef amil
ycursebutI
didnotbeli
evehim.Ther ewasonl yafif
ty
percentchancethebabywouldbeaboy,and
l
ikeChr i
s'
smum, It
oowantedtobr
eakthe
familycursebyhavi
ngagir
l asmyfi
rst
born.
Aft
ermyul trasound,Chr i
sr etur
nedt obeingt he
cari
ng, dotinghusband, onl yi
nast ronger,mor e
i
ntenseway .Nott oment ion,thathewoul dhav e
togetupdur ingthelat
ehour soft henightand
getmet acosandsal sa.Ev er
ynight ,
Iwould
havet hi
scr avingofeatingsomet hingspicy,
mainlysal sa, soChriswoul dgetmeahuge
bowl ofsal saandnachos, andIwoul dspendan
hourort woeat i
ngthat.Iknewt hesel atenight
vi
sitstot heki tchenwer et aki
ngat ol
lonhim,
buthenev eroncecompl ained.Hej ustmade
surethatIwascomf or
t able.
Sincethatday,
JennyandIhadbecomecl ose
fri
ends,andevental
kedonthephone.Hesaid
thatitwasgoodthatJennyandIweregetti
ng
along,andeventol
dmet hatIshoul
dtakethe
ti
meoutandgoshoppi ngwit
hher.Ist
il
lneeded
tobuycl
othesandtoysfort
hebaby
,sogoi
ng
shoppi
ngwithJennysoundedl
i
keagoodidea.
Todaywast hestartofanewweekandaf ter
bei
ngt horouglyrested,Chr i
swentt owor k.He
hadspendt heweekendsl eepingin,mycr azy
midni
ghtsnackschedul epr eventinghimf rom
sl
eepingpeacef ull
y.Andhest ill
hadn'tt ol
dme
aboutthef r
iendofhi s;i
nf act,hehadn' ttalked
aboutthatdayatal l.HejustaskedmehowI
wasdoi ngandhowt hebabywas.Iknewbei ng
socuriousaboutmyt empor aryhusband' sl i
fe
andfami l
ywasnotr ight,butIcoul dn'
thel pit.
Mymum di dsayt hatonedayt hiscuriousityof
minewoul dgetmei nt r
oubl e.
OnceChr i
sandNicoleft
,Imademywayt ot he
l
ibrary
,wanti
ngtoreadmoreaboutElizabeth.
May beIwouldski
ptotheentrywher
eshe
wouldtel
lChrisaboutHenryormaybet othe
partwhereshewouldrunawaywiththeloveof
herli
fe.
AssoonasIent er edtheli
brary,thefamil
i
ar
smellofbooksgr eetedme.Il ovedthesmellof
books,bothnewandol d;IwishedIcouldsleep
wit
habooksot hesmel l
ofitwoul dstaywit
h
meev eninmysl eep.
Paddi ngdownst ai
rs,Ient
eredthear chi
vesand
i
mmedi atelyheadedi nthedirect
ionofTer esa'
s
aisle.Idecidedt hatonceIwasf i
nishedreading
Elizabeth'
sj ournal,
IwouldreadTer esa'
s
j
our nalsandt henslowlyworkmywayt hrough
theancest or softhePalmerfamily.These
peopl ewerej usttoointer
esti
ng.
Cli
mbingont heport
ablest
eps,
Iremov ed
El
izabet
h'sj
ournalandsatdownont hebean
bagtoread.TheentryIst
art
edtoreadwas
datedJune4th,2002.
*
**June4t
h,2002
DearDi
ary
,
It
oldChr
isaboutHenr
ylastni
ght
,andhewas
nothappy.Hesai
dthatgoingagai
nstfather'
s
wisheswouldbesimi
lartocommitingsuici
de.I
beggedhimtohelpme.Itoldhi
mt hatIwould
neverbehappywit
hAlejandr
o.
Chrisbeingmybestf ri
endandbr otherwould
neverwantmet obeunhappy ,soev enthough
hewasnothappyaboutt hi
s,hepromi sedto
helpmet othebestofhi sabil
it
y.Het oldmehe
wouldt al
ktoourfatherandwoul dtryto
convincehim aboutcall
i
ngof ftheweddi ng.
Blessmybr other,
healway shelpedme.
Howev er,f
atheragreei
ngt oChrisi
sgoingtobe
nexttoimpossible.Myf at
herisstubbor
nand
whenhesay ssomet hi
ng,it
'sli
kesetinst
one,
noonehast hepowert oquesti
onorchangeit.I
j
usthopet hatChrisgetsthroughtohim,
other
wi seIwouldhav enochoicebuttorun
awaywi thHenry.
Henr
ycal
ledmeacoupl
eofhoursago.Hetol
d
mehelov
esmeandcan'twai
ttomarryme.His
wor dsgavemet hehappinessandcomf ortt
hey
alwaysdid,andmademef orgetaboutmy
fatherandhisunfai
rdeci
sions.ItoldHenryI
l
ov ehim,too,andIwoulddoev eryt
hinginmy
powert omakesur ewewer etogether.
Slowly,Ihavestar
tedpackingmycl ot
hesina
duffl
ebag.IfIranaway ,Iwouldonlybeableto
takemynecessat i
eswithme, Iwouldhav eto
l
eav emyj ewelr
yandallmycout uredresses
here,andonlytakemypr acti
calcl
othes.No
mat t
erwhathappened, Ihavenochoicebutto
preparefortheworst.
Ihopeev
ery
thi
ngwor
kedoutf
ort
hebest
.
El
i
zabet
h.*
**
Afterfini
shingthefi
rstentr
y,Ifl
ippedthe
j
our nalunti
l Ist
oppedattheentrydatedJul
y
1st,2002.It ookadeepbreathandbegun
reading.Thisentrymainl
yconsistedof
Eli
zabet hbeinganervouswr eckbecauseChri
s
wasgoingtotalktotheirfatheraboutHenry.
Sheprayedthatherfatheragreedt omarryher
wit
hHenr yr
atherthanwi thAlejandro,
alt
hough
shewasn'tv
eryhopef ul.Shenowhadt wo
duff
lebagswhichcont ainedallofherimport
ant
thi
ngs.
Iwasalmostattheendoft
heentrywhena
suddenvoi
cestart
ledme."
Wow, Idi
dn'
tknow
thatmywif
ewast hefemal
eversi
onofSherl
ock
Holmes,
"Chri
ssaid,hi
svoi
cehard.
Jumpi ngf rom thebeanbag, IhidEli
zabeth's
j
our nalbehi ndmebutIknewhehadal r
eady
seenmewi thit.Myhear tstartedpoundingasI
gazedaymyhusband, whost oodleaning
againstt hewoodenshel fwithhisar mscr ossed
acrosshi schest .Hisseagr eeney eswer ehard,
betrayi
nghi scalm exteri
or.Knowi ngthatIwas
busted, Icouldn'tdoany t
hing, mymout h
suddenl yfeltdryasf earsettl
edi nmyt ummy ,
andal lIdidwassayonewor d.
"
Chr
is.
"
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t27<3
.
.
.

Whenmymot hertol
dmet hatmycuri
osi
tywas
goingtogetmei ntr
oubl
eoneday,Idi
dnot
beli
eveher.Butnow,asIstar
edatChr
is,unabl
e
todeciphert
helookinhi
sseagreeneyes,I
knewthatmymum wasr i
ght.
Chri
sdidnotsayanythi
ng,j
ustkeptstar
ingat
me,makingmef el
levenmoreguilt
ythanI
normall
ywouldhave.I,
ontheotherhand,di
d
notknowwhattodot ogetmyselfoutofthi
s
si
tuati
on.Idi
dnotknowhowt oexplai
nmy
behavi
or.Shoul
dIl
i
e?Shoul
dIt
ell
thetr
uth?
Wouldhet hr
owmeoutofhi
shomeifIopted
fort
hetruth?
Wel l
consi deri
ngwhaty ou'vejustbeencaught
doing,kickingyououtoft hehousewi l
lbe
sl
ightlybetterthanal
ltheot herthi
ngsyour
husbandi scapableofdoi ng.
Tryi
ngtomust erupasmuchascour ageasI
could,
Ideci
dedt ofacethisnewpredicament
headon."Chr
is,whatarey oudoi
ngher e?
"I
asked,ev
enthoughIhadnor i
ghttoaskmy
husbandwhathewasdoi nginhi
sownhome.
"Well
,Igotdonewi t
hmywor kear l
ysoIthought
I'
l
lsurpri
semywi fe,buti
twasIwhogot
surpr
isedwhenIcamet oseethatmywifehad
beensneakingaroundbehindmyback,"he
answered,bi
tt
ernessandf ur
ydrippi
ngfr
om his
words.
Taki
ngadeepbr
eat
h,Icont
inuedon."
Chr
is,
I
canexplai
n,
"Isaid,di
ggingmyfi
ngersi
n
Eli
zabet
h'sjour
nal,
squishi
ngt
hev el
vet
.
Her aisedhiseyebrow."Ohplease,
doexpl ai
n,I
woul dlovetoknowwhyy oudidnotr espectmy
pri
vacyandwi shesandwentdownt ot he
archiveswhenIst ri
ctl
ytol
dy ounotto. "He
l
ookedcal m,butIknewhewasany thingbut.
Hewant edtolashout,tobeangry,Ihadnoi dea
whyhewasact i
ngsocal m whenbot hofus
knewt hathewasn't.
Suddenlymyt hroatfeltdryandIfoundi
t
dif
fi
culttospeak.Ididn'tknowhowt oexplai
nit
tohim withoutsoundinglikeanosyidi
ot.Iknew
Iwasnosy ,
anddespi t
et r
yingmybestto
contr
ol mycur i
osi
ty,Ialway sendedupgivi
ng
i
ntoit;Iwasweak.
"I
—Iwa—want edt
—t okn—knowab—about
th—thewomanont hesev—sevent
hfl
oor
,"I
stammered,
looki
ngatthefloor
.
"
Why
?"Heasked,
hisv
oicef
rost
y.
"Because..
.because.
..
"Ihadnoi
deawhattotel
l
him.Iwant edtoknowaboutthewomaninthe
portr
aitbecauseIwasanosyhumanbeing?
BecauseIdi dn'
tknowwhent omi
ndmyown
bloodybusiness?
Myhear tstar
tedpoundi ngwhenhest rodeover
tomeunt il
hest oodmer ecenti
met eresf r
om
me.BeforeIcoul dsayany thi
ng,hesnat ched
Eli
zabet
h'sjournalfrom behindmyback,
wrenchi
ngi tf
reef r
om mygr asp.Ibitmyl i
pas
hefli
ppedthrought hejournalbeforet ossingi
t
onthebeanbag.
Taki
ngadeepbr
eat
hheasked,
"Why
?"
Thatonewordheldsomanyquesti
ons,Ididn'
t
knowhowt oanswer.Ij
ustwant
edtocurlup
i
ntoaballandhi
de.Theshameandguiltabout
whatIhaddonemademewi sht
heground
wouldopenupandswal l
owmewhole.Any thi
ng
togetawayfrom hi
m andnott
oseethel
ookhe
wasgivingme—full
ofaccusat
ionand
bit
tner
ness.
"I
'
m sorr
y,"Imut
ter
ed,
wishi
ngIhadmy
neckl
ace.
"No,t
hat
'snotwhatIasked.Idon'
tneedan
apol
ogyAlice,
Ineedabloodyexpl
anati
on!
"He
shout
ed,causi
ngmet ojump.
"I
—t ol
dyou,Iwa—wantedtokn—knowabout
thewomani nthepor
trai
tonthesevent
hfl
oor
,"
Iresponded.
"
Why
?"Hequest
ioned.
"Becauseyouweren'
ttel
li
ngmewhoshewas,
andt ol
dmenottogoupt here,so.
..
"It
rai
l
edof
f,
hopingthathewouldunderst
and.
"Exact
ly,
Itoldyounottogoupt her
e,andwhat
doy oudo,yousneakint
othearchivesandst
art
snoopingaround.Domywi shesandrequest
s
meannot hi
ngt oyou?It
houghtIcouldtr
ust
y
ou!
"Hedi
dnotbot
herl
ower
inghi
svoi
ce.

"
I'
m sor
ry,Ij
ust.
..
Iwant
edtoknowwhoshewas.
Andyouwerebeingsosecr
eti
ve,It
houghtI
'
ll
fi
ndoutaboutherbymysel
f,
"Ist
ated.
Henoddedbutt herewasnounder standingin
hi
sey es." Right,insteadofr espect
ingpeople'
s
pri
vacy,y ougoar oundpoki ngyournosewher e
i
tdoesn' tbel ong.Youknow, Iwasnev er
ashamedofy ou.Despi t
ey oubelongi
ngt othe
l
owercl ass, Inev erfeltashamedofy ou,but
now,today ,
Iam ashamedofy ou.Iam
ashamedt ocal ly oumywi fe,
"heseethed.
Tearswell
edupinmyey esuponhearinghis
words.No,no,t
hiscoul
dn'
thappen.Itri
edmy
besttobeagoodwi fet
ohim, andhecouldn'
t
beashamedofme.No, no,no.OhGod, what
hadIdone.Ineverwant
edthistohappen.
"
Chr
is,
please,
don'
tsayt
hat
.It
oldy
ouI
'
m sor
ry,
pl
easedon'
tsayyou'
reashamedofme."I
cl
uchedhi
sarm butheshookoutofmygri
p.
"Whyshouldn'
tIsayitwhenit
'st
rue.IthoughtI
coul
dtrustyou.Butno,youdi
dn'
tcaret hatyou
werebetr
ayingmyt r
ustandsnoopingar ound
myhomewhenIt oldyounotto.
"Het urnedto
l
eavebutIstoppedhim butgr
abbinghishand
andholdi
ngitti
ghtl
y.
"Chr
isplease,I
'm sor
ry.IpromiseIwon'tdoit
agai
n,Iwon'tevercomet ot hearchi
vesagain,
j
ustpleaseforgi
veme.Pl easegivemeanot her
chance,
"Ipleaded,butitl
ookedasi fi
tfel
lon
deafears.
"Letgoofme, Ali
ce.Ican'
tevenl ookatyou
ri
ghtnow. "Twisti
nghishandf reefrom my
grasp,hestrodeoutoft hearchives.If
oll
owed
afterhim,wantinghimt ofor
giveme.Iwoul d
apologizeathousandt i
mesi fthatwaswhathe
want ed.
"Chr
isplease,
tal
ktome.Gi
vemeanother
chance.Givemeachancet
oexpl
ain,
"Ibegged,
buthekeptwalki
ng.
"You'
vedoneenough.Idon'tev
enwanttolook
atyou,nordoIwantanykindofanexpl
anati
on.
Leavemeal one.
"Hesnarl
ed.
"
please,don'
tdothis.Icanexpl
ain.Justli
sten
t
ome.Iwon' tl
eav
ey oualoneuntily
oulist
ent o
me,"Isaid.
Het urnedt oface,amy r
aidofemot ions
fl
ashingi nthosemesmer i
zingey es."Youdidn'
t
respectmywi shesbefore,atleastrespectthem
now.Leav emeal one.Idon'twantt obe
anywher eneary ou."Hi
sv oiceheldanot eof
fi
nalit
yt oit,bef
orehest or
medoutoft hel
ibrar
y,
slammi ngt hegiantdoorshut.
Tearssl
ippedfreelyfr
om myey esasIcrumbl
ed
tothefl
oor,sobbing.Hesaidthathewas
ashamedt ocallmehi swi
fe,wellr
ightnowI
wasashamedofmy sel
f.WhatwasIt hi
nking,
snoopi
ngaroundmyhusband'scastl
e?I
shoul
d'
verespect
edhiswishesaboutkeeping
hi
ssist
erasecret
.OhGod, whathadIdone.I
wasahorri
bleper
son,andnowhehat eme.
Wel
l hehaseveryrightt
ohateyou,whatyoudid
wasawf ul
.Iwon'tbesurpri
sedifhetel
l
sy ou
l
eavethecastleandnevertoshowy ourhorr
ibl
e,
t
rai
torousfacetohim everagai
n.
Iwasani
diot.Whycoul dn'
tIlearntomindmy
ownbusi
nessl i
kenor malpeople.WhydidI
havet
obesoawf ull
ynosy?Andnowbecause
ofmyhor
ribl
e, cur
iousnature,Chri
shatedme,
andwoul
dpr obablytermi
natet hecont
ractand
ki
ckmeout .
Whydon'tyouleave.Thatwayhewon'tkickyou
outandyouwi l
lbeoutofthi
scastl
ewithy our
di
gnit
yintact
.Mysubconscioussuggested.
Knowi
ngt
hatIhadt
olookf
oranapar
tment
anyway s,Ideci
dedt oheedheradvice.Iwoul
d
star
tlookingforanapar tmentassoonas
possible.Chri
swoul dprobabl
yneverforgi
veme,
i
twoul dbebet terifIl
eft
—hedidsayhedi dn'
t
wantt oseeme, andwantedmet oleavehim
al
one.
Pull
ingmy sel
ftoget
her
,Iwi
pedmytearsaway
beforemakingmywayt omybedr
oom.May beI
wouldsleepinNico'
sbedr
oom,si
ncetheroom
wasChr i
s'sandIdoubt
edhewantedt
osleep
nexttome.
.
Chri
swasnoti nthebedr oom whenIent ered;
whichwassomet hingIexpected.Si tti
ngont he
bed,Iall
owedmy selft
of al
lback,unt ilmyback
mett hemat t
ress.Myf eethungdown, asI
contemplatedwhatt odonext .Apol ogizi
ngt o
Chri
sagai nandagai nwassomet hingIknewI
wouldhav etodo; whatIdidwasunf orgi
vable.I
knewhewoul dterminatethecont r
actandki ck
meout ,may beIshouldstartl
ookingf oran
apartment
.Orshoul dIfindadecentj obf i
rst
?I
knewIcoul dn'twor
kinanunheal thy
envi
ronment ;
Iwaspregnantnow, andIwoul d
neverri
skmybaby '
sheal t
h.Speakingoft he
baby,maybeIshoul dlookforalawy erwho
wouldrepresentmewhenIwoul df il
ef orj
oint
custodyoft hebaby.
Thedoorofmybedr oom openedandHelga
enter
ed,herf
acesti
ff.Gr
eat,i
twasn'
tl
ikeIhad
enoughtodealwit
handnowshehadt ocome.I
satup,wonderi
ngwhatonEar t
hshewant ed
fr
om menow.
"Sir
ePalmerhassentaf ewinstructionsforyou
whichyoumustabideby ,becausei fy oudon'
t
therewil
lbeseri
ousconsequences. "Shebegan.
Wasi tj
ustme,ordidHelgalookedpl eased.
What ev
erChri
shadt osaytome, Iknewi twas
notgood,becauseHelgawashappy .
"
Whatar
ethei
nst
ruct
ions?
"Iasked,
not
want
inghert
ost
ayanyl
ongert
hanshehadt
o.
"MisterPal merhasf orbiddenedy outoent er
anyroom i nt hiscastle.Theonl yroomsy ouare
all
owedi naret hisbedr oom andy ourbrother's
room.Youar enotal l
owedt oenteranyot her
room i nthiscast l
e.SirePalmer '
sstudyi s
compl etelyoffl i
mitstoy ou,andsoi sev ery
otherr oom int hecast l
e.Yourf oodwi l
lbe
broughtt oy ou, andyouar eper mitt
edt ov i
sit
thegr ounds.Shoul dy ouv entureint
oanyr oom
othert hanthedesi gnat edrooms, Mr.Pal meris
goingt otermi natethecont ractandy ouwi ll
be
sendt opr i
son. "Shet oldme.
Thetear swhichIhadwor kedsohardtocontr
ol,
camet ot hesurf
aceonceagain,butIdidnot
al
lowt hem tofal
linfrontofHel
ga.Inst
ead,I
noddedmyhead, let
ti
ngherknowt hatI
understood.
"Iunder
stand,
Hel ga.Cany
oupleasel
etMr
.
Palmerknowt hatIwill
besl
eepi
nginmy
br
other
'sr
oom t
oni
ght
,"Ir
equest
ed.
Hel
gashookherhead."Youarenotal
lowedt
o
sl
eepanywher
eexceptinthi
sroom, t
hisi
sal
so
oneoft
heinst
ruct
ions,
"sherepl
ied.
Sothiswaswhathewasgoingt
odo?Holdme
pri
soner
?Takeawaymyf r
eedom?Cageme
hereunt
ilt
hebabyar
ri
ved?Andthenwhat
,he
wasgoingtoki
ckmeoutorwouldhesendme
topri
son.
Wel
lyouki
ndofdeser
vei
t.
"
Arether
eanymorei
nstr
ucti
ons?"Ienqui
red,
t
ryi
ngnottol
etmyvoi
cebreak.
"No,justthatyouaretost
ayint
hisroom ori
n
yourbrother'
sroom.Andy ouar
enotallowedto
visi
tMr .Palmernormakeanysortofdemands,"
sherespondedcool l
y.
Noddi
ngmyhead, Igaveherasmall
smi l
e.
"
Okay,Iunder
stand.Thankyou,
Hel
ga."She
l
ookedsurpri
sedforamomentbefore
composi
ngherfeat
uresandexi
ti
ngmyr
oom,
cl
osi
ngthedoorbehi
ndher.
AssoonasHel galeft
,thetearswhi chIhad
beenhol dingbackf orsolong,camespi l
l
ingout
.
SobsshookmybodyasIl etmy selfdroponthe
mat t
ressandcr i
edmyhear tout .Criedatmy
shamef uldeeds.Cr i
edbecauseoft heimmense
guil
twei ghingonmymi nd.Cr i
edbecauseIhad
brokenChr is'
strustandhur thimint heworst
waypossi ble.Icursedmy selfandmycur i
ous
nature.
MaybeIshoul
dkil
lmy sel
f.Heisbetterof
f
wit
houtmeanyways.He'l
l f
indanicewoman
whowouldmindherbloodybusinessandnot
gosnoopi
ngaround.Hedeser v
edbet t
er.
Ididn'
tknowhowl ongIcri
edf or.NordidIknow
howl ongIcursedmy selff
or,buteventuall
y,I
ranoutoftears.Pushingmy selftoasitt
ing
positi
on,IwonderedifChri
swoul dl
etme
borrowhislaptop.Ineededtolookf oran
apar
tment
.But,
itwoul
dhavet
owaitt
il
l
tomorr
owasthesunwasbegi
nni
ngit
sdecent
,
andsooni
twouldbedark.
Glancingatmyl eft,
Ispott
edmyj ournal
sitt
ing
ont henightst
and.Thinki
ngt hatIcoulduse
somet hi
ngt olessentheburdenofshameand
guil
t,Igrabbedthejournalandapenwhi chwas
i
nt hedrawerandbegunwr i
ti
ng.
*
**DearDi
ary
,
Ihavedoneat erribl
et hi
ng.Ihavehurtmy
husband,thel oveofmyl i
fe,i
nthewor stway
possibl
e.AndIwi shIhadn' t
.IwishIhadnotlet
mycur i
ositywi n.Ijustwantedtoknowwhot he
l
adyont hesev enthfloorwas,hurt
inghim was
nevermyint ention.Iwouldratherdiethanhurt
themanIl ov e.Butnowi t'
stoolate.Hehates
me.
Iam goi
ngt
ostar
tlooki
ngforanapartment
tomorr
owandwil
ltr
ytofindajob.Ineed
moneytopayforNico'seducati
onandfort
he
baby
.Iknowhei sgoingtoterminat
ethe
cont
ractsoon,
soIneedt ofindaplacef
orme
andNico.
IknowwhatIdi dwasunf or
giv
able,butIwish
hef or gi
vesme.Buti fhedoesn't
,Iwoul d
under stand.IknowIdeser v
enothingfrom hi
m.
Hehasdonesomuchf ormeandNi co,andhow
doIr epayhi m, bygoi
ngbehindhisbackand
snoopi ngaroundhi shome—histerri
tory.I
shouldbesl aughter
edformycr i
mes.
Hesai dheisashamedofme.Hei sashamedto
callmehiswi f
e.Iagreewithhi
m.I'
mt heworst
personali
ve.Heshoul dn'
thavemarri
edmein
thefir
stpl
ace.Heshoul dn'
thavemademef all
forhim.May bethen,whatIhavedonewoul
d
notseem sohei nous.
Ri
ghtnow, If
eell
iket
heworstpersononthe
pl
anet.AndmaybeIam.IjustwishIcoul
dtake
i
tall
back.BecauseIknownowt hatnot
hing
meansmoretomet hanhishappi
nessandhi
s
tr
ust
.AndIhadtakenbothoft
hosethi
ngsfr
om
hi
m.Ishoul
dkil
lmy sel
f.
***
Nothavingt
hestrengt
htowr i
teanymore,Il
et
thependropfrom myhand.Clut
chi
ngthe
j
ournalt
omychest ,Il
etl
ooseaf r
eshtorr
entof
tear
s,asgui
ltandshame,onceagainwashed
overme.
OhGod,whatwasIgoingtodo?Howwoul
dI
ev
ergetbackhistr
ustagai
n?Howwoul
dIear
n
hi
sfor
giveness?
Whathav
eIdone!
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t28<3
.

.
.

Mor ningcamequicklyandIdidnotseeChris.
Hedi dnotcomet obedl astnight
.Iwasri
ght,
hedi dnotwanttosleepnextt ome.ButIdi
dn't
sleepont hebed,Isleptonthecouch,wel
lmore
l
iket ossedandturned,theshameandguilt
preventedmef r
om get ti
nganysleep.
Dr aggingmy selftothebat hroom, Iwashedmy
facewi thcoldwat ertomakemy self
present able.Af t
erstaringatmyr efl
ecti
oninthe
mi rrorforacoupl eofmi nutes,Idraggedmy sel
f
outoft hebat hroom onl ytostopshor twhenI
sawChr i
sstandi nginourr oom.Hel ooked
freshlyshower ed,hishai rwerestil
lgli
steni
ng
wi ththel ef
tov erwater.I,ontheot herhand,
l
ookedl ikeat otalmess.
"Youdi
dn'
tsl
eep."hesai
ditasmoreofa
stat
ementr
atherthanaquest
ion.
"
Idi
d,j
ustnotmuch,
"Il
i
ed.Idi
dn'
tsl
eepawi
nk.
Withoutawor
d,heturnedandsatdownonthe
bed.Myeyeswidenedwhenhepickedupmy
j
ournalwhi
chwasl y
ingonthebedandopened
i
t.Myheartst
art
edpounding,hecoul
dnotr
ead
myj our
nal
.
"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iasked.
"
Whatdoesitl
ookli
keI'
m doi
ng,I'
mreadi
ng
y
ourj
ournal
,
"herepl
iedshort
ly.
"Youcan'
tdothat.Yousai
dmyj our
nalwasmy
ownpersonalpr
opertyandthatnoonewil
lbe
all
owedtoreadit
,"Itol
dhi
m.
her aisedhiseyebrows."
Oh,soyouremember
this,butyoudon'tremembermet el
li
ngy outo
stayawayf rom thearchi
ves,
int
eresti
ng,"he
comment ed,butthankf
ull
ydi
dnotf l
i
pt omy
fi
rstent r
y.
Angrytear
spri
ckedmyeyes."
Youdidn'
t
speci
fi
call
ytol
dmetostayaway.Yousai
dthe
ar
chiveswoul
dn'
tbeofanyi
nter
estt
ome,
"I
cl
ari
fi
ed.
"
Learnt
oreadbetweenthel
ines,
Alice.Me
t
ell
i
ngyouthearchi
veswil
lboreyoumeantthat
y
ouweretostayawayfr
om them,"heshotback.
"Chr
is,
please,
myj
our
nal
isper
sonal
.
"It
ri
ed
agai
n.
"No.Sinceyoulovetosnoopi notherpeopl
e'
s
businessandinvadet hei
rpri
vacy,l
et'
sseehow
youlikeitwhensomebodyi nvadesy our
pri
vacy,"heret
orted.hiswordscausedmyheart
tocrack.IknewIdeser vedever
yharshwordhe
sai
dt ome, butthatdidn'
tmeanitdidn'
thur
t.
"Fi
ne,goahead.Readmyj our
nal,
unli
keyouI'
ve
gotnothingtohi
de,"Isnappedthenwentfort
he
door.Ishoul
dstartpackingmyclothes,
hewas
goingtokickmeoutsoon.
"
Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ou'
regoi
ng?
"Heasked.
"
Tomybr
other
'sr
oom.Iam al
l
owedt
ogot
her
e,
aren'tI
, orwil
lthatbeanot herinvasionofyour
preciouspr i
vacy !
"Islammedt hedoorshuton
mywayout .IknewIhadnor i
ghttobeangr yat
him wheni twasmyf aultthathewasupset ,but
Ijustcouldn'thelpmycr azyemot i
ons.Andthe
trut
hwas, Icouldn'tstandandseehi mr eadmy
j
our nal.Iknowhewasgoi ngt olaughaf t
er
readingi t
,andIcoul dn'tseet hat—chri
s
mocki ngmeaf terreadingt hatIlovedhim.
AssoonasIent er
edNi co'sroom,Iquickl
ygot
hi
sbagoutoft heclosetandbegunpacki nghis
cl
othes.Ihadt
of i
ndaj obandl ookforan
apart
mentaswel l
.Event houghHelgasaidthat
Ihadnor i
ghtt
omakedemands, Iwonderedif
shewouldletmehav eanewspaper .
Itr
iedtopackNi co'sbelongingsbutmyv i
sion
bl
urred.Tearsstart
edt ofallfr
eelyfr
om my
eyesast heshameandgui ltoverwhatIhad
doneonceagai nthreatenedt ocri
ppleme.How
couldItell
Chri
st hatIhadnotmeantt ohur
t
hi
m whenhewasn'
tevenli
steningt
ome.He
wassoangr
y,howcouldIapologi
zeformy
act
ions.
Tryi
ngt of orcemyt earst
ost opfall
i
ngbut
fai
li
ngmi serably,
Iwenttot hebathr
oom to
packNi co'st oi
l
etri
es.Ipi
ckedupNi co'
s
toothbrushwhenmyey eslandedonsomet hi
ng
gli
ntingint hebathroom l
ight.Dr
oppingthe
toothbrush, Ipi
ckedapairofshar psci
ssor
s.
MaybeIshoul
dkil
lmysel
f,Ideser
vei
taf
teral
l
.
Chr
iswouldbehappywit
houtme.
Withoutt
hinki
ngIplacedthebladeendofthe
sci
ssorsonmybar ewr i
st.Icl
osedmyeyesand
countedt
ot en,
thenbegunappl y
ingpr
essure.
No,stop.Whatareyoudoing?Stopit,don'
tkil
l
yoursel
f.WhataboutNico,whoisgoingtotake
careofhim onceyou'
regone?Andy ourbabyis
sti
lli
ny ourwomb,don'
tkil
lyourbaby,yourbaby
deservestoli
ve!St
opit!
Inst
ant l
y,t
hepai rofsci
ssorsfell
from myhand
asthemagni t
udeofwhatIwasaboutt odo
sunkin.OhGod, no,Icoul
dn'tdothis.Icoul
dn'
t
kil
lmy self
,IhadNi coandmybabyt othink
about.Icouldn'tbeself
ishri
ghtnow, notwhen
mybabyhadn' tevenopenedhi s/
herey es.
Feel
ingoutofcont r
ol,Il
eftNi
co'
sr oom and
ret
urnedtomi ne.Chri
swasnotpr esent, whichI
wasn'tsur
ewasagoodt hi
ngornot .Takinga
deepbreathIsatont hebedandt houghtabout
whattodo.IknewIwashopi ngfort he
i
mpossi bl
e,butIwishedChriswouldf orgiv
eme.
Befor
eIcoulddrowni
ngui l
t,t
hedooropened
andHelgaenter
edcarr
yingatrayofbreakfast
.
Sheplacedt
hetrayi
nfrontofmet henstepped
back.
"Si
rePal
merhasorder
edforyoutof
inish
ever
ythi
ngonthet
ray,
"shesai
dthenturnedt
o
l
eave.
"WaitHelga.
"Shestoppedandturnedtoface
me, l
ooki
ngirri
tat
ed."IknowyousaidI'
m not
all
owedtomakedemands, butIwaswonder i
ng
i
fy oucanbringmeanewspaper .
"Ibitmylip
nervousl
y.
"
I'
ll
askSi
rePal
mer,ifhesay
sy esI
'
llbr
ingy
ou
t
hepaper
."Wi
ththatsheexi
tedmyroom.
Ieyedmybr eakf astandmyst omachchur ned.I
couldn'
teatany thi
ng, t
heguiltwassi t
ti
nginmy
stomachlikeapi leofheav yrocks.Itoreapiece
ofbreadandchewedoni t
,butitwasl i
ke
chewingapi eceofr ubber.Ihadnoi deahowI
managedt of i
nishev eryt
hingthatwasont he
tr
ay,butIdid,andIf eltsi
ckaf t
erthat.
Helgaenter
edafterIhadfini
shedandplaced
today'
snewspaperont hebedbeforepi
ckingup
thenowempt ytr
ay.Ithankedherfort
hepaper
andsheleftwi
thoutawor d.
I
gnor
ingt
hechur
ningi
nmyst
omach,
Iopened
thepaperandscannedt hewhol ething, l
ooki
ng
foranapartment.Ifoundacoupl eofni ce
apart
ment sandcircledt headwi thapenwhi ch
Igotfr
om thedr awer.Next ,Itr
iedt olookingf or
anicejob,whichprov edt obedi f
ficult
.Ineeded
adeskjobbutt herewer ehar dlyanyav ailabl
e,
andthosewhi chwer e,requiredmor et hana
highschooldegree.
Feeli
nghopeless,Idroppedthenewspaperand
l
aiddownont hebed.Ineededaj obsoon,Ihad
toearnmoneyf ormybr otherandmychild.
WherewasIgoi ngt owork?Whowoul dhirea
highschool
gr aduate?
OhGod,
pleasehel
pme.
.
Theeveni
ngwascold,butIstay
edi nt
hegarden,
si
tt
ingonabench.Sit
ti
ngi nmyroom was
st
arti
ngtosuff
ocat
eme, soIdecidedtogoand
si
tinthegar
denforawhile.So,
afterf
orci
ng
l
unchdownmyt hroat,
Icameouthereandhad
beensi
tt
ingher
esincethen.Ihadnoi
dea
whereChri
swas,probabl
yinhisst
udy,
avoi
ding
me.
Iwaswai tingforthesunt oset,
thenIwoul dgo
backi nmyr oom.I twasoneoft hoseraredays
whent hesunwasout ,
soIdeci dedt otake
someadv antageofit.Although,thesunwasn't
reall
ydoingagr eatjobofwar mingmeup, but
stil
l,
itfel
tnicetobesi tt
ingout ,
br eat
hingsome
freshair.
"Pennyf
ory ourt
houghts.
"It
urnedandsaw
Justi
nstanding,
asmileonhishandsomeface.
"Ohhel
l
o.Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
ecomi
ngher
e,"I
sai
d.
"
Iwasj ustwi
thyourhusbandforsomework.I
wasleavingwhenIsawy ousi
tti
ngouther
e,"he
r
epl
ied.
"
Yeah,
Ijustt
houghtI
'
dgetsomef
reshai
r.
Woul
dyouli
ket
ositdown?"Imovedal
i
ttl
eto
t
heri
ghtt
omakeroom forJust
in.
"
Ify
oudon'
tmi
nd.
"Hesatdownnextt
ome.
"
Sohowar
eyou?
"Iasked.
"I
'
m good,t
hankyou.Howareyou?How'
sthe
baby
?"Justi
ngenqui
redey
eingmybabybump.
"Thebabyisfi
ne,thankyou.Sohowwasy
our
meetingwithChr
is?"Iqueri
ed,t
ryi
ngt
omake
conversat
ion.
"I
twasallri
ght
.Wewer et
alki
ngabouthiri
ng
newpeoplefort
hecompany ,
sinceChri
sis
expandi
nghisbusi
nessandall
,"Just
in
answered.
"That
'si
nter
est
ing.Justin,i
fyoudon'tmind,can
Iaskyousomething?"Ireal
lywishedJusti
n
wouldhel
pmef indaj ob.
"
Sur
e,whati
sit
?"
"
Uh.
..
doy
ouknowsomepl
acewher
eIcanf
ind
adecentj
ob?
"Iquest
ioned.
"
Whydoyouneedajob,
Chri
sear
nsenought
o
f
eedt
hewholewor
ld,
"hesai
d.
"Iknow,butIdon'
thav
eanythi
ngtodo,
itget
s
boringher
e,youknow,
"Iex
plai
ned.
"
Isee.I
sChr
isokaywi
thi
t?"
"Yeah,hei
s.HeagreesthatIshouldgetajob
unti
lthebabyar
ri
ves,"Il
ied.Truthwas,Idi
dnot
carewhatChri
sthought.Ineededt of
indajob,
andIhadtodoitbeforeChr i
skickedmeout .
"Al
lri
ght.
"Justi
nfi
shedacardoutofhiswallet
andhandedittome."Thi
sismycard.Youcan
call
met omorrowandinthemeant
imeI '
lll
ook
forajobfory
ou.Wouldyouli
keadeskj ob?"
"
Yes,adeskj
obiswhatIneed,
andsomet
hing
t
hatpayswel
l.
"It
oldhi
m.
"
All
right
,I'
l
lseewhatIcando.
"
"
Oh,
andJust
in.I
—Iam onl
yahi
ghschool
gr
aduat
e,Idi
dn'
tgot
ocol
l
ege,
"Ii
nfor
medhi
m.
"
That'
snoprobl
em.Ihaveacoupleofpeopl
e
whowill
hir
eyou.Letmetal
ktothem andI'
l
llet
youknowtomorr
ow,"hesai
d.
"Al
lri
ght,
thankyousomuch,Just
in.
"Ismil
edat
him.Hewassuchani ceman.Maybeaft
erthe
contr
actwasover,Iwoul
dagreet
ogoonadat e
withJust
in.
"
Surething.Ishouldgonow,Ihav
eameeti
ngi
n
acoupleofhours."Just
inst
ooduptol
eav
e.
"Okay.I
'
llcal
lyoutomorr
ow,youtakecar
e,bye.
"
IwatchJusti
nsaunteraway
,feel
i
nghappyt hat
hewasgoi ngtohelpme.
Thinki
ngitwast i
met hatIwentbackt omy
room, Ist
oodupandt urnedar oundtoleave
onlytostopabruptl
yasmyey esmetChr is'
s.He
l
ookedf uri
ous.Iopenedmymout htospeakbut
beforeIcouldutt
erasy l
lable,
hegr abbedmy
wristanddraggedmei nside.
"
Chri
s,what
'swrong?"It
ri
edtowrenchmyhand
f
reebutheonl
ytight
enedhisgr
ip,
causi
ngme
t
owinceinpai
n.
Buthedi dnotrespond.Hejustdraggedme
upstai
rstoourr oom,andwhenweent er
edour
room didheletmego.Iheldmywr isti
nmy
otherhand,tr
yingtoeasethethrobbing.
"Your
eall
yknowhowtopissmeof
f,don'
tyou?
"
hesnar
led,ey
esbl
azi
ng.
"Whatar
eyoutalki
ngabout
?"Whywashe
act
ingsost
range.
"Markmywords,Al
ice.Youar
enot ,
andImean
notgoi
ngtowork.Youcanforgetaboutf
indi
ng
ajob,
"hest
ated.
"
Andwhynot
,huh?
"
heignor
edme, i
nst
ead,hepickedupthe
newspaperl
yi
ngont hebedandshowedmet
he
pagewhereIhadci
rcledtheadsfort
he
apart
ment.
"Andwhatthehel
l i
sthi
s?!Youarenotleavi
ng,
notnow,notever
!"Hefl
ungt hepapert
ot he
side.
"
I'
ll
leav
ewhenev
erIbl
oodywantt
o!"Ist
ated.
"Notaccor
dingt
othecont
racty
oucan'
t,
"he
point
edout.
"Yeahwell,accordi
ngt othecontractt
his
mar r
iageisgoingtobeov eri
naf ewmont hs
anyway ,
whynotf i
nishitearl
y.Youobviousl
y
hateme,"Isaid,hurtevidentinmyv oi
ce.
Chr
isf
rowned."
Whosai
dIhat
eyou?
"
"Doesn'
tmatter
.Ican'tl
iv
ewit
hamanwhoi s
sosecret
ive.
"Idi
dn'tknowwhyIsai
dthat
,
probabl
ybecausemyhor moneswer
einful
l
swing.
"Ohreal
ly
,andwhatmakesyouthinkyoucan
l
eave?"hecrossedhi
sar
msov erhischest
,
giv
ingmeachal l
engi
ngl
ook.
"
Ihavethecontract.Ihavet helawonmyside.
AndIam goi
ngt ol eaveoncet hisy
earisov
er.
Andyouaregoingt ofil
ef orjoi
ntcust
ody;t
her
e
i
snowayI '
m partingwi t
hmybaby .
"Itol
dhim.
"AndifIdon'
tfi
l
eforj
ointcust
ody?"Therewas
anoddgl i
nti
nhisseagreeneyes,
somet hi
ng
thatt
oldmehewasf ormingaplaninhismind.
"ThenI'
l
ltakethebabywi t
hme.Andt hecourt
will
beinmyf avorbecauseababyneedsi t
s
mum mor ethanitsdad,atleastwhenhe/
sheis
born,
"Istat
ed,feel
ingconfi
dent.
"Idi
stinctl
yremembert hecont
ractsayingthat
thebabywi llst
aywithmeoncet hi
smar r
iagei
s
over,andsincey ousi
gnedthecontractaswell,
thecour twil
lhavenochoicebuttogivemet he
custodyoft hebaby,
"Chrissai
d,anarrogant
smil
eonhi sface.
Myheartsankathear
ingt
his.Not
hatwasnot
t
rue.Ir
eadthecontr
actadozenti
mesand
t
herewasnothi
nginther
ethatsai
dthatChr
is
woul
dhavethecustodyofourchi
l
d.Hewas
l
yi
ng.
"You'rel
ying.Ir eadthecont
ract,t
herewas
nothingint herethatsai
dthebabywi l
lbeyours
afterthecont ractwasover.
"Itcouldn'
tbetrue,
i
tjustcoul dn'tbe.Iwouldnotbeabl etoli
ve
withoutmybaby .
"Oh?Wellwhydon'
tyoubri
ngthecontr
actand
we'l
lseeexact
lywhati
tsays,
"hesuggest
ed
calml
y.
Want i
ngtoproveChriswrong,
Imar chedover
totheclosetandf
etchedthebluefi
lewhich
contai
nedmycopyoft hecont
ract
.Ihandedthe
fi
letohim whosmirkedandopenedi t.
IthoughtChriswasgoingtogoovertheterms
ofthecontract.It
houghthewasgoingtoread
andshowmewhet herIwaswrongornot.I
eventhoughthewoul dapologi
zet
omeaf t
er
readingthecontract
.Buthedi
dsomet hingthat
Iwoul d'
veneverexpect
edinami l
l
iony ear
s.He
closedthefil
e,thenwit
hbothofhishands,
ri
ppedt hefi
leintwo.Andhedidn'
tjuststop
there.he
didnotstopt
earingunti
lthecont
ract
resembledwhit
econfett
i.Thenheletthe
remaini
ngbit
soft hedocumentfal
lfrom hi
s
hands.
"
Wh—Whathaveyoudone?
!"Ishr
iekedi
nhor
ror
,
myey
esbul
gingoutoft
hei
rsockets.
"WhatIshoul
d'vedonealongt
imeago,
li
ttl
e
dove.
"hesteppedforwar
dunti
lhewasstandi
ng
mereinchesfr
om me.
"Yo—Youhadnor i
ghtt
odothis!I
twasmycopy
ofthecontr
act
,youhadnori
ghttoripi
tapar
t
l
ikethat,
nowIwouldhavenothi
ngtousein
court
."Iwasbr
eathi
ngheavi
lynow.OhGod,
nowhewoul dgetcust
odyofthebaby.
"Noonei sgoingtocour t
,li
tt
lepeach.Noty ou,
andnotme.Thecont racthasbeent er
mi nated.
Ihaditterminat
edal ongt i
meago.Ev erysingle
copyoft hedocumenti sthankful
l
ynow
dest
royed,"heinfor
medme, asat
isf
iedsmi le
onhisface.
"Howcoul dyoudot
his?
!"Icri
edout,notawar
e
ofthetearsstr
eami
ngdownmyf ace."
Iwil
lnot
l
ety outakemybabyawayf r
om me!"
"Icandowhat everIwant,
lit
tl
eone, hav
en'tyou
reali
zedthatbynow.Andasf ort
hebaby ,
lit
tl
e
bird,t
hebabyisnotgoingany wherebecause
youar enotgoinganywhere,
"hestated.
"I
fyout hi
nkI'm goingtostaywithyouafter
whaty oujustdi
dt henyouar everymuch
mistaken.Iwantadi vorce,andIwantitnow."I
hadclearl
ylostmysani ty,butIwasjustso
angry.
hel
aughed,
alaught
hatshookmet
omycor
e.
"Di
vor ce?
"Helaughedonceagai n,t
henabrupt
ly
gri
ppedmyupperar ms." List
entome,and
l
ist
engood.Thecont r
actisover,y
ouarenot
gett
ingoutoft hi
smar r
iage,l
it
tl
epeach,not
now, notever
."hestat
ed.
"Youcan'
tdot
his.
"Itf
eltasi
fhewascl
osi
ng
ever
ywindowoffr
eedom forme,
cagi
ngmeto
him.
hecar essedmyt earstai
nedcheek."Li
tt
lefai
ry,
didy ouforgetwhohast hepowerhere?Icando
what everIwant.AndIam notlett
ingyougo.
Youcanf orgetaboutdiv
orcebecauseyouare
nev ergett
tingit
.Youaregoingtobemywi fe
forever.
"
Ifatanyot hertimeChr ishadsai dthosewor ds
tome, Iwould'vebeenecst ati
c, butnott oday.I
t
wast rueIlov edhim andwant edt ostaywi t
h
himf orever,butrightnow, Iwasangr y.Hehad
effor
tlesslyshatteredallmyshi el
dsand
defencesandl eftmev ulnerable.Heshowed
exact
lyhowpowerf
ulhewas.Andr
ightnow,
I
wasscaredofhi
spower.
"Iam nev
ergoingt
obehappywit
hy ou.
"Iwas
graspi
ngatstr
aws,any
thi
ngtogetsomesortof
l
ev er
ageoverhim.
"That'
sdebat abl
e,l
it
tl
edove.Rightnow,just
understandthatthecontr
actisnomor e.It
's
over.Youar egoingtobewife,notj
ustfora
year,butforeter
nit
y.Andourbabyisgoi ngto
growupwi t
hbot hofhi
sparentsinthi
scast l
e,
gotit?"
Suddenly,If
eltexhaust
ed, weak.Iknewitwas
over,hehadwon.Hehadal l thepower,
andI
hadnot hi
ng.Ifoundmy sel
ft ootir
edtoargue
withhim anymore,soIdidn'tsayanythi
ng.
Takingmysi l
enceasa' yes'hekissedmy
for
ehead.
"Now,
whydon'
tyourest
.Ihav
esomeworkI
needt
odo.WhenIcomeback,Iwantt
osee
yousl
eepi
ngsoundl
y,okay?
"Hecommanded.I
ki
ndafel
thewasn'
tangryanymor
e.
Withoutsayi
ngawor d,Igotonthebedandl aid
down, f
acingawayfrom Chri
s.Hepull
edt he
duvetovermeandwi t
hanotherki
ssonmy
for
ehead,leftt
heroom.Ididnotwanttosl eep,
butIfel
texhausted,
whi chr
esult
edinsleep
comingeasily.
Justdar
knesspul
l
edmeand,
Ikeptt
hinki
ng,
HowwasIgoingtodeal
wit
hthesenew
ci
rcumst
ancesnow

ThendoMphoVhut hu.Si
zogagashe.Linat
hi
NakhaneMsut hukaziomhl
eMakoba.Onesi mo
dokol
wana,"Samolene'Uni
queness'Steyn,
Khomot soBoreng,ZamaswaziSne
Dlamini
,Port
iaSkosana,andotherswhodi dnot
mentionthei
rgooddeedst ome. ThankYouall.
.

Thanky
ousomuch
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t29<3
.
.
.

Iwokeupt oacontinousli
ghttappi
ng.Forci
ng
myey esopen,IsawChrisinbedwithme,
worki
ngonhi slapt
op,hisbackagainstt
he
headboard.It
ri
edtogobackt osleepbutit
l
ookedasi fsl
eephaddeser t
edme.
Asifsensi
ngmeawake,hest
oppedworki
ng
andlookedatme.Hegavemeawarm smil
e
whi
chinst
antlyhadmewonder
ingwhatwast
he
r
easonbehindhissmi
l
e.Imean,hewasmadat
me,andIwasmadathim,too,
sowhythesmil
e?
"Ohyou'
reawake,
didyouhaveanicenap?
"He
asked,
asifwehadn'
tfoughtj
ustafewhours
ago.
"Whatti
meisit?
"Igrumbl
ed.Iasst
il
langr
y,but
Ineededtoknowtheti
me.
"I
t'
s2:00inthemorni
ng.Whydon'ty
ougoback
tosleep,
"hesuggest
ed.What
,Ihadsleptf
or
sevenhours!
I
gnoringhim,Isatupandr anahandt hrough
myhai r
.Ineededtogetoutofher e,Ihadto
l
eavehim.Istil
lcouldn'
tbel i
evethathehad
destr
oyedthecont r
actrightinfr
ontofme.Di d
hereall
ywantmet ostaywi t
hhim ashi swif
e
for
everorwasi tbecauseofanger ?Whydi dhe
ter
minatethecontractifhewasashamedof
me?
"Wherear
eyougoi
ng?Arey
ouhungr
y ?Doyou
needtouset
hebat
hroom?"
Hequest
ioned,
his
eyesnotl
eav
ingme.
"I
'
m goingtopack,
I'
mleav
ingassoonast
he
sunri
ses."It
oldhi
m.
"Wherear
eyougoi
ng,
onav
acat
ion?
"He
quer
ied.
Isi
ghed,
tryi
ngnottoexpl
ode."
Iam leavi
ngyou.
Iwantadiv
orce.Remember,wehadaf i
ght,
"I
sai
dli
keIwast al
ki
ngtoafouryearold.
"I
fyourememberusf i
ghtingthenI'
m sureyou
remembermet ell
i
ngyout hatyou'
renotleavi
ng
me,ever,
andy oucanforgetaboutadivorce
becauseyou'
renotget
tingone,"herepl
ied
cal
mly.
"
Ican'
tdothis,
Chr
is.Idon'twantt
obewit
h
y
ou,"Isai
d.Iwasl
ying,butIwasangr
y.
Hedi
dn'
tl
ookasifmywor
dsaff
ect
edhi
m.
"
Whydon'
tyouwantt
obewit
hme?"Heasked
sof
tl
y.
"
Lot
sofr
easons,
"Ir
epl
i
edv
aguel
y.
"
Iwantt
oknowal
loft
hem,
"her
esponded.
Isighedagain."Well,
y oudon'tt
rustmeandy ou
expectmet otrustyou.Youmakedeci sions
aboutmeandmyl if
eandy ougetangryifI
makeadeci si
onfory ou.Youhav emoresecr et
s
thantheMI 6.Andy ouar eashamedofme.Why
doy ouwantt obewi thsomeonewhoy ouhate
andar eashamedof ?"Unshedt earsburnedmy
eyesasIsai dthelastpar t
.
Hecl osedhislaptopandplaceditont heside,
beforepulli
ngmecl osertohim unti
lIwas
sitt
ingonhi sthi
ghs,st
raddli
nghim.Hecupped
mycheeksbef orecapt
uringmyl i
psinsweet ,
tenderkiss.Thekissmademef eelasi fIwas
themosti mpor t
antpersoninhi
sl i
fe.Thekiss
didn'tf
eelasifhewasashamedofme.
Hepul
l
edawayaf
teraf
ewmi
nut
eleav
ingme
bereft
.Heranhi
snoseov ermine,
hisbr
eat
h
softl
yfanni
ngmyface.God,thi
smanwas
confusi
ng.
"Youhavealotofreasonstoleav
emef or
someonewhocl ai
mst oloveme."Myeyes
widenedwhenhesai dthi
s,andsuddenl
yIfel
t
morenakedthanIhadal lt
hetimeswehadsex.
OhGod, heknew.HeknewhowIf el
t.
"
Howdidyou—"Icoul
dn'
tbr
ingmy
sel
ftof
ini
sh
t
hesent
ence.
Butheunder
stoodwhatIwastr
yingt
osay."
I
tol
dyouIwasgoingt
or eady
ourjour
nal
.
"
Igri
ttedmyteet
hasanewwaveoff ur
ywashed
overme."Yo—Youhadnor
ight
,"Iseet
hed,
gl
aringathi
m.
Het uckedast r
andofhai rbehindmyear,a
calm expressi
ononhi sface."Onthecont
rary
,
l
ittl
ebird,Ihaveallt
her i
ght.AndI'
m gl
adthatI
ready ourjour
nal,
byt heway ,y
oueverthi
nk
aboutleav
ingmeorki l
l
ingyourself
,you'l
lbe
bri
ngingmywr athuponyourself
,underst
ood?"
Hiseyeshardenedunti
ltheyresembledgreen
shards.

"Ican'
tbr
ingyourwr
athuponmy
sel
fifI
'
m dead,
nowcanI? "
I
nst antl
y,hi
sarmsaroundmet i
ghtenedtothe
pointofpain.Hebroughtmeclosertohi
m,until
thef ur
yblazi
nginhiseyessear
edmysoul .
"Yout
hinkaboutki
l
li
ngyoursel
fandI
'm goi
ngt
o
l
ockyouinthisr
oom for
ever,
doyou
under
stand?
"
"
Youcan'tkeepmepr
isoner
,"Ist
ated,
fear
ing
f
ormyfreedom.
"Ishoul
ddeviseanewcont
ract
,inwhichy
ou
cannevercauseyour
sel
fphysi
caloremoti
onal
harm,"Hesai
d.
"Why?Soy oucanri
pupt hatcontractaswel
l
wheny ougetti
redofme? "Ir
aisedmy
eyebr
owsasIsai dthat
.
"
Get
ti
ngtir
edofy
oui
simpossi
ble,
li
tt
lepeach,
"
Her
epl
ied.
"Andbeingashamedofmei
sincr
edi
blyeasy
,"I
snapped.
Hechuckledbeforegi
vi
ngmeanot hertender
ki
ss."I
'm notashamedofyou,
li
tt
lefair
y.Ican
neverbe,youaremuchtooamazingforthat,
"
herepli
ed.
"
Liar
.That'
snotwhaty
ousai
dear
li
er!
"Ir
aised
myvoice.
"
Iwasangr
y,"hej
ust
if
ied.
"Notgoodenough!Ifeveryti
mewehav eafi
ght
andy ougetangr
y,wil
l youalway ssaysuch
harshwor dst
ome, becausei fthat'
sthecase
thentel
l menowandI 'l
lgetthebl oodyhel
lout
ofhere."Iwasbr
eathingheav il
ynow.
Hekissedmeagai n."Idi
dnotmeani t
,li
tt
lef
air
y.
JustbecauseIsai
d, i
tdoesn'tmeanImeantit
,"
Hesaid,si
nceri
tyshimmer i
nginhisi
ri
ses.
"Wellitsti
l
lhur
t,alot.
"IcouldnotbelieveIjust
saidthat.Heal
readyknewIl ovedhi
m andnow
heknewhowhur tIwas.Ireal l
yneededt ol
earn
tokeepmyemot i
onst omy self.
Hetuggedme
closerunti
lmychestwaspr essedagainsthis.
Heki ssedmyforeheadandbegunr unninghis
handov ermyback, soot
hingme.
"I
'
m sorry,
li
tt
ledov e.Sosorr
y.Ididnotmeant
o
hurtyou,
andI'm sorryIdi
d.Ipromiseyou,
I
won'thur
tyouev eragain,
"Hemur mured.
Ipull
edawayandl ookedathi m,eyeswi dein
surpri
se.Heapol ogized.Chri
sPalmer
apologizedtome.Inev ert
houghtamanl i
ke
hi
m woul deverapol ogi
zetome.It houghthe
wouldt el
lmet osucki tupandl i
vemyl i
feli
kea
docil
ewi fe,
butno, heapologizedforhurti
ngme
andpr omisedtonev erhurtmeagai n.
Wel
lfor
givet
hepoorladnow,don'
tkeephi
m
wai
ti
ng,hemightchangehi
smind.
"I
t'
sal
lri
ght,you'
ref
orgi
ven,buti
fyouhurtme
agai
nI'
ml eav
ingwit
hJustin,
"Iwarned.
"
Shutup,
"hest
atedbef
oreki
ssi
ngmeagai
n.
"I
'm sorr
y,forinvadi
ngy ourpr
ivacyandreadi
ng
yourfamily'
sjournals,
I'
m extr
emel ycur
ious,
I'
m
sorr
yf orthat
,"Isaidassoonasher el
easedmy
l
ips.
"
Arey ouapol
ogi
zi
ngforreadi
ngmyfamily'
s
j
ournalsorf
orbei
ngcuri
ous?"Heenqui
red.
"Doesitmat
ter
?"Iquest
ioned,
feel
i
ngabl
ush
creepi
ngupmyf ace.
"Yes,itdoes.Ifyouareapologizi
ngf orreading
thejournalsthenyou'r
eforgiven,butifyouar e
apologizingforbei
ngcurious,thendon' t
apologize."Hecaressedmycheek." Cur iosi
tyis
apar tofy ou,y
oushouldn'tapologi
zef orbeing
yourself.Ili
keyoujustt
hewayy ouar e,sodon't
apol
ogi
zef
orbei
ngcur
ious.
"
Hesai
dli
ke,
notl
ove.Ohman!
"Right,
sodoy oufor
giv
emef orsnoopi
ng
around?"Ienqui
red,
notwantingt
odwellonthe
factthathetol
dmehel ikesmeandnotlov
es
me.
"
Ifor
giv
eyou,
li
tt
leone.
"
"
Ohgood,andsi
ncey ou'
reinsuchaf orgi
vi
ng
mood,
youwon'tgetangryifItel
lyouIwentup
t
othesev
enthfl
oor,r
ight
? "Iasked,ner
vousl
y.
Hiseyeswi
dened."
What
?Youwentupt
othe
sevent
hfl
oor,
how?"
"
Throughthelibr
ary.Thedoorwasopen,soI
went,
"Iexpl
ained,gaugi
nghisreact
ion.
"
Andhowmanyt
imesdi
dyougo?
"Heasked.
"
Justonet
ime,
promi
se,
"Ianswer
ed.
Heclosedhi
seyes,
preventi
ngmef r
om f
indi
ng
outwhathewasthi
nking.Ist
ayedwher
eIwas,
str
addli
nghim, t
wist
ingmyfinger
sinanxi
ety
.I
didnotregr
ettel
li
nghimthatIwentuptothe
sevent
hf l
oor,
Iwantedtobehonestwithhi
m.
"
Right
."Hesaiduponopeni
nghi
sey
esagai
n.
"
WellIfor
giv
ey ou.
"
"
Real
l
y?"Wow,
thatwaseasy
.
"Yeah,Imean,youaremyper manentwifenow,
soy ouhavetoknowaboutal lt
heskel
etons
hiddeninthecloset
.Iwasgoi ngtotel
lyou
aboutEli
zabethanyway s,soit'
sgoodthatyou
foundoutabouthery oursel
f;savesmethe
troubl
eandt heawkwar dness,
"Heexplained.
Wowhecall
edmehispermanentwif
e!I
tfeel
s
somuchbet
tert
hantempor
arywife.
"Ial
sowentupt otheei
ghthfl
oor,
"Ibl
urtedout
,
andbyt helookoffr
ust
rat
iononhishandsome
face,Iknewitwastoosoon."
I'
m sor
ry.
"
"Di
dy ougot
otheni
nthf
looraswel
l
?"He
queri
ed.
"
No,
Iswear
,"Ianswer
edt
rut
hful
l
y.
"MayIaskwhy?"Amusementshi
mmer
edi
nhi
s
eyesandIknewhewasn'
tmad.
"Mygui
l
tyconsci
enceki
ndaki
ckedi
n."It
old
him.
Hechuckl
ed."
Isee.Wel
lIf
orgi
vey
ou.
"Hewas
sosweet.
"Ipr
omiseIwon'
tgoupt
her
eev
eragai
n,
"I
stat
ed.
"That
'sal
lri
ght.I'
l
lgiveyouatourofthose
fl
oorsmyself
.Youcanaskmeany t
hingyou
wantwhil
ewear etouri
ng,
"hesaid,andIswear
Ifel
li
nlovealitt
lemor ewi
thhim.
"
Real
l
y?Wow,
canwegonow?
"
"No.Fi
rstofall
,i
t'
s3:00am andyouneedtoeat
andthensleep.Second,
youneedtoknow
aboutEli
zabethbefor
ewegoupt her
e,"hesai
d.
"
ButI
'
m nott
ir
ed,
"Iar
gued,
butonel
ookf
rom
hi
m hadmeshutti
ngup.Iknewhewasnot
goi
ngtobudge.
"Okay,butcanyoutell
meaboutherr i
ghtnow,
whil
eIeat ?Thatway,we'l
lgoupther
eint he
mor ni
ng."Nowthathesaidhewouldtellme
abouthissist
er,Iwantedtoknoweveryt
hing,
ri
ghtnow.
"Noandno.I
'
llt
ell
youaboutheri
naf
ewday
s,"
hestat
ed.
"
Butshewasy
oursi
ster
."Iwant
edt
oknownow.

"
Was?Shei
smysi
ster
,"hecor
rect
ed.
"Oh,she'
sstil
lali
ve?Whydi
dn'
tyouev
ert
ell
me
abouther?"Ienquir
ed.
Ithoughthewoul dtel
lmet omindmyown
business.Buthepickedupthet r
ayfi
ll
edwi
th
tacosandt amalesandplaceditbet
weenus.He
pickedupat acoandhandedi ttome.
"Youareonl
yall
owedtoaskmeaquest
ionif
youfini
shal
lthi
s,
"Hestat
ed,
gest
uri
ngt
ot he
content
softhetr
ay.
Itookaheartybit
eofthetaco."I
syoursister
sti
llal
iv
e?Whydi dn'
tyouevertel
lmey ouhav e
asister
?"IaskedonceIhadswal l
owed,then
tookanotherbit
e.
"Yes,mysi sterisalive.Hernamei sEl i
zabeth
andshei solderthanme, sheisthef i
rstborn.
Andt her easonIdi dn'tt
ellyou,i
sbecauseLi zzy
i
sasensi ti
vesubj ectinthef ami
ly,andonlyt he
familyknowsaboutherandourmostt r
usted
staff
,thosewhohav eser vedthefamilyfor
generations.Noout si
derknowsaboutLi zzy,
"he
answer ed,watchingmeeat .
"Whydidshel eave,orgetkickedout,whatever
i
twas? "Ipickeduponeoft hesevenspicy
tamal
esf rom thetr
ay .Boththetacosandt he
tamal
eswer eextr
emel yspicy,whi
chwas
exact
lywhatIwascr aving.
"I
'
llt
ell
youthatlat
er.Butforyouri
nfor
mati
on,
sheranawayandt hefamilydeci
dedtosev
er
ti
eswithher
,"heresponded.
"
Becauseshel
ovedHenry?
"Ifini
shedhal
fofmy
t
amaleinl
essthanaminute.
Henodded."
Yes,
andf
atherr
efusedt
omar
ry
hert
ohim."
"
Sowher
eisshenow?
"Ipi
ckedupanot
her
t
amal
e.
"Shel
iv
esinthecount
rysidenow,wit
hHenr
y.A
coupl
eofhoursfr
om here,"hesai
d.
"
Isshehappy
?"Ienqui
red.
"
Very.Shehadababygi
rlaf
ewday
sback,
"he
i
nfor
medme.
"Oh?Wow.I sthatwherey
ouwentwhenyou
saidyourfr
iendfel
li
ll
?"Ir
eal
l
ywantedt
omeet
Eli
zabeth.
Henodded."
Yes.Shewewenti
ntol
abor
,and
myni ececameintot
hisworl
d."Hesmil
ed
affect
ionatel
yasher
ecall
edseeinghi
sniece
forthefir
stti
me.
"
Isy
ourni
ecet
hef
ir
stchi
l
d?"Ipi
ckedupat
aco.
"No.Sheisthet
hir
d."Myey
esbuggedoutat
heari
ngthis.
"Yoursist
erhast
hreeki
ds,
wow,
you'
l
lonl
yget
one,"Isai
d.
"
No.Iwantmor
ethanonechild.We'
l
lhav
e
mor
ethanonebaby,
all
right
?"
"
Butyoumar r
iedmef
oronebaby
."Theset
acos
wer
edeli
cious.
"Yes,
andthenIterminat
edt hecontractsonow
wearefr
eet ohaveasmanybabi esaswewant ,
andIwantmor ethantwo,"hestated.
"
Let'
shaveonebabyf i
rst
,thenwe'l
lseeabout
t
heother
s,"Isai
d."So,
whendi dyoudecidedt
o
makemey ourpermanentwife?"
"
Uh,
awhi
l
eago,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"
Howl
ong?
"Iquer
ied.

"
SinceNi
co'
ssur
ger
y."
"Thatl
ong?
!Whydidn'
tyout
ell
me?
"Damn,
he
nevert
oldmeany
thing.
"Iwantedtot
ell
youatt
her
ightt
ime,
"he
defended.
"
Andt
her
ightt
imewasnow?
"
"No,butIr
eal
i
zedther
ightti
mewon'tcomeand
I'
ll
havetomakethi
sti
me, t
heri
ghtt
ime,"he
explai
ned.
"Ri
ght
,sodoesthatmeanwear ehusbandand
wif
eforever
?"Iwantedtomakesur
eI
under
stoodhim cl
earl
y.
"Yes,
li
ttl
eone,
that
'sexact
lywhati
tmeans.
"He
squeezedmyhand.
"AndNicowil
lli
vewi
thusaswel
l
, r
ight?
"Inev
er
Ithoughtt
hemanIlovewoul
deveracceptme
ashispermanentwi
fe.
"Yes,hewi l
l l
i
vewi t
hus,andI'
m goi
ngt opay
forhiseducat i
on.Youcanstopworryingabout
yourfinancialprobl
emsbecausenowy ouwon't
everhav etodeal wit
hanykindofproblem..
.i
fI
canhel pit
."Hegav emeoneofhi sspecial
smiles.Thesmi lethatmadehimlookasi fhe
waschi ldoftheangelsthemselv
es.
"
Ithoughtyouweregoi ngtoleavemeaf terthis
yearwasover,
"Isaid,feel
ingli
ketheluckiest
womanonEar th.Ineverthoughtanyonewoul d
wantme.Andnow, thi
sman, whowasnol ess
t
hanr oy
alt
y,wantedmeashi spermanentwi f
e.
Dr
eamsr
eal
l
ydocomet
rue.
"
I'
m neverl
eavingy
ou, l
i
ttl
edov
e,nev
er.Youar
e
minefor
ever.
"Hekissedmyhand.
"
Thanky
ou.
"
"
Forwhat
?"Hef
rowned.
"Foraccept
ingme.Formaki
ngmey
our
permanentwife.
"
"Hey,don'
ttal
kli
kethat
.Youar eperfect.AndI
am oneluckysonofa—"Hebr okeof fashis
gazelandedonmyswol lenbaby."Imean, I
'ma
veryl
uckymant ohaveanamazi ngwi feli
keyou;
onlyanidi
otwill
rej
ectyou."Hekissedme
deeplyaft
erthat
.
"So,doyoul
oveme?
"Heaskedassoonashe
brokeapar
t.
Inodded, feel
ingmycheeksheatup."Yes.Il
ove
you,Chr i
s."Neveri
nmylif
ehadIfeltso
vulnerabl
et hanIdi
dwhenIconfessedmy
feeli
ngst ohim.
Whenheki ssedmei st
ime, i
tfeltl
i
kehewas
kissi
ngmysoul .Theemotionflowingt
hrough
thekissreplacedthemarrowi nmybones.My
soulli
tup.Fireworksfl
ashedbef or
emyey es,as
heconsumedme.Withj
ustoneki
ss,
het
oldme
whatwordscoul
dn'
t.
Iwashi
s.
"Thankyou.Thankyouforl
ovi
ngme,l
i
ttl
efai
ry,
"
hemur mured,asheki
ssedmyjawl
i
ne.
"Youdon'tneedtothankmef orthat
."Iwas
breat
hlessaftert
hatint
ensekiss.
"Ido.Yourloveandy ourhearti
satr
easurethat
youhav egivenme,andIt hankyouf
orthat.And
Ipromisetopr ot
ectyourheartfr
om al
lthe
darknessintheworld."Hewasnotgoodf ormy
heart.
Iwi
shedhewoul dtellmehelov edmet oo,butI
bel
i
ev editwasnexttoimpossible.I
twasa
mir
aclethathehadacceptedmeashi s
per
manentwi fe,
Ididn'
tthi
nkhewoul dev erl
ove
melikeIlovedhi
m.ButIwoul dbehappywi t
h
whatIhad.Iwouldbehappywi thbeingChr i
s'
s
per
manentwi fe.
.
"Hel
ga,pl
easecall
theenti
rest
affher
e,r
ight
now,"Chr
isor
deredher.
ChrisandIwer esit
ti
ngi
nthedini
ngroom
havingbreakfast
.Hehadjustf
ini
shedhi
s
breakfastandnowhadorderedHelgat
ocall
the
enti
restaffhere,
Ihadnoideawhy.Maybehe
hadanannouncementt omake.
Afterhethankedmef orl ovi
nghim,itdidn'
ttake
uslongtof allasl
eepafterthat
.Hekeptme
especial
lyclosetohim ashedr i
ft
edof ftosleep;
andIhadoneoft hemostpeacef ulsleepsof
myl i
feinmyhusband' sar ms.
"Whydoy ouwantt
heenti
restaf
ftobepr
esent
her
e?"IaskedassoonasHelgalef
t.
"BecauseIhav
esomet
hingIneedt
otel
lthem,
"
herepli
ed.
"
What
?"
"
You'
l
lknowsoon.
"NowIwascur
ious.
Afterf i
veminut
esofpat i
entl
ywaiti
ng,Helga
ret
ur nedfoll
owedbyf i
ft
eenmenandsev enteen
women.Themal eswer ewearingaunifor
m, and
thef emalesweredressedinthestandard
mai d'soutf
it
.Theyallst
oppedaf ewfeetfrom
us.
Chrisstoodup,myeyesfol
lowinghi
m.
"Welcomeev er
yone,
todayIhavecall
edyou
herebecauseIhavesomethingver
yimport
ant
totell
you."Hetookmyhandandpul l
edmet oa
standi
ngpositi
on.
"Asyouallknow, Imarr
iedMr s.Pal
mer."He
gest
uredtome." Condi
tional
ly
.Shewast ogiv
e
meanhei rwithinthefi
rstyearofourmarri
age
andaftert
hatt hecontr
actwoul dendandshe
woul
dl eave.
"But
,notany
more.Mrs.Pal
merisnowa
permanentr
esi
denceofthi
scast
le,
anda
permanentmemberoft hePal
merf amily
.You
allaretotreattoherwithutmostrespectand
shallnotquest i
onher.Sheisnowt hequeenof
thiscastl
e, andanyonewhodar estodefyheror
disrespectherwi l
lberemovedimmedi at
ely,
am
Iclear?"
Ibl
ushedwhenachorusof"
YesSir
ePalmer"
washeard."
Good,
thati
sall
,youmayl
eave
now."
Befoteleav
ing,eachst
affmembercamei n
frontofmeandbowedshor t
lybef
oreleav
ing.I
j
ustst oodther
eawestruck,
notknowinghowt o
reactasonebyonet hestaf
fmember sbowed
tome.
Finall
y,allofthestaffmembersleft,l
eav
ing
onlyHel gastanding.Iswall
owedhar dasHelga
cameandbowedshor tl
y.Shegavemeasmi l
e
thatwaswayt oosweettobereal,andI
i
nst ant
lyknewIwasi nt
roubl
e.Helgahadnot
acceptedme.
"
Wel
comet
othef
ami
l
y,Mr
s.Pal
mer
"
OhLor
d.Hel
pme.
TheCEO
.

<3I
nser
t30<3
.
.
.

Twoweeksel apsedandHel gaf ortunat

ely
hadn'tdoneany t
hingt hatwar rant edfearor
i
nsecur i
ty;however,
Idi dnotl etmyguar ddown.
May beitwasmyi magi nat
ion, thinkingthat
Helgahadnotaccept edme, butmygutt ol
dme
otherwise.Sodespitewant ingt or elax,
I
couldn'
t.
Nico'sbirthdaywasi naf ewday sandIwas
wonder ingwhatt ogi vehim.Nowt hatIhad
enoughmoney ,
Iwant edt obuysomet hingbig
andspeci al f
ormybr other,butIdi dn'
tknow
what .Ithoughtaboutget ti
nganency clopedia
set,butChr istoldmet hatthelibrarycontai
ned
al
l t
heency clopediasNi cocoul dpossiblywant.
Thathadmer ej
ectingt hef ir
stidea.Mysecond
i
deawast otakeNi cosomewher especi al
,butI
couldn'tthinkofasi nglepl ace.Discardingthe
secondi deat ookl esst imet hant hefir
stone.
Icouldn'
tbelievethatmybr otherwouldgetto
celebrat
elotsofbi r
thdays.Af ewmonthsback,
thethoughtofNi co'
sbi r
thdaywast er
ri
fyi
ng.I
usedt owonderwhet herhe'
dbeablet osurvi
ve
foranotheryear.Butnow, Nicohadmanyy ears
aheadofhi mi fNaturedecidednottoint
ervene.
Andhopef ull
y,hewoul dliv
et osee
grandchil
dren.
"
Whydon'
tyouj
ustaskhi
m whathewant
sfor
hi
sbirt
hday,"Chr
issuggested.Wewere
curr
entl
ysit
tingi
ntheli
vingroom,di
scussi
ng
aboutNico'
selev
enthbir
thday.
"
Iwantt
ogi
vehi
m asur
pri
se,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Justaskhim whathewant sandtheny
oucan
givehim anextr
apresenttogoalongwit
hit
,
thatcoul
dbeasur pri
se,"hestat
ed.
"Youknow,Iwanttobuyev er
ythi
ngforNico.
Newclothes,
newshoes.I t
'sbeensolongsince
hehadnewcl ot
hes."It
oldhim.
"
Whydon'
tyout
akehi
m shoppi
ng?
"
"It
ri
ed.Butever
y t
imeNi cowouldtellmeheis
busywithsomething.Iaskedhimifhewanted
togoshoppinglastweek, andhesaidhehada
sci
encetesttostudyfor,"Ir
esponded.
"
Wel
lwhydon'
tyoubuycl
othesforhi
m
y
our
sel
f.
"Heint
erl
acedhi
sfinger
swithmi
ne.
"
Hav
eyouseent
hespeedi
nwhi
chhe'
sgr
owi
ng?
Whati
fIgethi
ssi
zewr
ong?
"
Hskissedmyhand." Ithinky oushoul
daskhim
whathewant sf orhisbi rthday,andwhenyou
gett
het ime,takeNi cooutf orshoppi
ng.Buy
hi
m allthenewcl othesandshoeshewant s,al
l
ri
ght
? "Hekissedmyf orehead.
Inodded."
Yeah.
"
"
Good.Andonemor et
hing.I'
veinv
itedmy
f
atherandbr
other
stodinnernextweek.
"Chr
is
t
oldme.
"
Anyspeci
alr
eason?
"Ienqui
red.
"Iam goi
ngt otel
lthem t
hatt
hecont
racthas
beenterminatedandnowy ouar
emywi fe
forev
er,
"heanswer ed.
Iblushedathear
ingthis.Eventhoughi
thad
beent woweekssinceChr i
sannouncedtothe
wholestafft
hatIwashi spermanentwif
e,the
factsti
ll
managedt ocolormycheeks.Andnow
hewasgoi ngtotel
lhisfami l
y.Howwerethey
goingtor eact?Ihadaf eeli
ngthatKeiranwould
acceptme, i
twashi sfatherandBrentonIwas
wor r
iedabout .Idi
dn'tt
hinkhisfatherl
ikedme
verymuch.Andwhatwoul dhedoi fhi
sfather
andBr entondi dnotacceptme?Washegoi ng
toleaveme?Woul dhetakemybabyandt hrow
met ot hecurb?
"
Hey
,what
'swr
ong?
"Het
urnedmyf
acet
ohi
m.
"
Not
hing,
"Il
i
edeasi
l
y,t
ooeasi
l
y.
Hear
chedhi
seyebrowatme."
Tel
lmewhat
'
s
wr
ong,
"hedemanded.
"
Itol
dyounot
hing'
swr
ong,
"If
ibbed.
"
Lit
tl
ebir
d,tel
lmewhat'
swrong."Heusedthe
t
onethatt
oldmeIbett
erst
arttalki
ngorel
se.

"Whati
fyourfamil
ydoesn'tacceptme?What
wil
lyoudothen?"Isear
chedhisey es,t
ryi
ngto
getmyanswersthroughtheseagr eenir
ises.
He
kissedmesof tl
y ."
Litt
lepeach,t
rustme,they
willacceptyou.Keiranwill
bethril
l
edtoknow
thatyouar emyper manentwi f
enow, healready
acceptedy ouashi ssist
erthedaywegot
mar ri
ed,"hesaid.
"Butwhatabouty
ourdadandBr
ent
on.Yourdad
neverr
eall
yli
kedme,"Isai
d.
"
Whatmadey outhi
nkmyf
atherdoesn'
tl
ike
y
ou?"Hequesti
oned.
"Wellhewasawf ull
yrudet omewheny oucame
tomyapar tment,nooffence,
andsi ncewe'
ve
gottenmarri
ed,henev eronceinv
itedusto
dinner,
"Ir
epli
ed.
"Ther
ewasadi
nner
,thef
ami
l
ydi
nner
,"He
point
edout
.
"Yourwholefamil
ywast her
e.Imean,justus.
Meandy ou.Heneveri
nvit
edusov erf
ordi nner.
Henev ercall
stoaskhowI '
m doi
ngorany thing.
EventhoughIhavenoideahowf ather
-in-
laws
nor
mallybehave,Ist
il
lthi
nktheyatleastask
howtheirdaught
er-i
n-l
awis,
"Irant
ed.
"
Ismyl
i
ttl
ewi
fef
eel
i
ngnegl
ect
ed?
"Hecooed.
"Ohstopmakingfunofme.I'
mj ustsay
ing,
he
doesn'
tli
keme,sowhatwi l
lyoudowhenhe
ref
usestoacceptme?"Iquesti
oned.
"
Idon'
tcar
e,"Hesai
d.
"
What
?"Whatdi
dhemeanbyt
hat
?
"Idon'
tcar
eifhedoesnotaccepty
ou,
I'
ll
chooseyou,
"Heelabor
ated.
"
You'
rej
oki
ng.
"Hecoul
dn'
tpossi
blydot
hat
.
"
NoI
'
m not
.I'
l
lchoosey
ou,
"her
epeat
ed.
"
Overy
ourf
ami
l
y?"
"
Yes.
"
"
Butwhy
?"Idi
dnotbel
i
evehewoul
ddot
hat
.
"
Becauseyoumakemehappy.Andyouar
ethe
motherofmyunbor
nchi
l
d,"heanswer
ed.
"
It
'seasi
ersai
dthandone.
"It
oldhi
m.
"
Whati
s?"
"Choosi
ngsomeoneov ery
ourf
ami
l
y.I
t'
ski
nd
ofimpossi
ble,
"Icl
ari
fi
ed.
"I
'm notchoosi nganyoneovermyf ami l
y.My
fatherandbr othersaremyfami ly
.Youar emy
family.Soi fIchooseyouovermyf atherand
brothers,Iwon'tbechoosingjustany oneov er
myf ami l
y,I'l
lbechoosingmyf amily..
.well
..
.ov
er
myf ami l
y."Ichuckledashesai dthis.
"
Iwon'tcomebetweenyouandy
ourf
ami
l
y,
Chr
is"Isai
dwit
hconvict
ion.
"Nobodyiscomingbetweenanybody,
I'
mt el
li
ng
you,myfatherandBrent
onwill
acceptyou,y
ou
havenothi
ngt oworr
yabout.
"
Despi
tehisconstantassurances,
Iwasn't
convi
nced.IknewMr .Palmeronlymarr
ied
Chri
stomebecausehebel ievedi
twouldbe
temporar
y.Evenwhenhewasatmyapar tment
,
Icouldtellhedidnotappr oveofme.Andev en
thoughhedi dn'tsayanythingt
omedi rect
ly,I
couldsti
llfeelhisdisl
i
keofmei nourbri
ef
encounter.Ihadnoi deawhatChr i
swas
thi
nking,butIwaswor r
ied.Veryworr
ied.
.
Iknockedsoftlybeforeopeningt hedoorof
Nico'
sbedroom.Hewassi tt
ingonhi sbed,his
kneesdrawnupt ohischin.Theonl yli
ghtthat
wassl i
ghtl
yil
luminati
nghi sroom wascomi ng
fr
om hislampwhi chwassi t
tingont he
night
stand.Igavehim asmal lsmil
ebef or
e
enter
ingandcl osi
ngthedoorsof tl
ybehindme.
"
HeyNico,
IhopeI
'
m notdi
stur
bingy
ou,
"Isai
d
l
i
ght
ly.
I
nr esponse,Igotahi
ccup.Worr
yclenchedmy
heartandIracedovertomybrotherandsat
downont hebedi nfr
ontofme.
"
Nic,
arey
ouokay
?"Iasked,
looki
ngatmy
br
other
'st
earst
ainedf
ace.
Hedi dn'
tsayanyt
hing,j
usthi
ccupedasmor e
tearsstreameddownhisface.Worryandfear
cloudedmymi ndandIhuggedNi coti
ghtl
yto
me, rubbinghi
sbackinasoothi
ngmanner .
"
Nicot
ell
mewhat
'swr
ong,
please,
"Ipl
eaded.
"
No—Not
hing,
"hesobbed.
"
Don'
tli
etome, Ni
co.I
'
my oursist
er,
tel
lme
what
'swrong,
whyareyoucryi
ng?"
Nicopull
edawayf rom meandt ri
edtowi pethe
tear
swiththebackofhi shand,butthetearsdid
notstopleakingfrom hi
sey es.If
elthel
pless
seei
ngmybr otherli
kethis.Whywasheupset ?
"
Tel
lmewhat
'swr
ong,
"Icoaxed.
"
Al—Al
i
ce,
didmum anddadhat
eus?
"Heasked.
Myhear
tcracked."No,ofcour
senot.Why
woul
dyouthinkthat?"Wherewasthi
scoming
f
rom?Nicowasper fect
lyfi
neandhadaccept
ed
ourpar
ent
s'deat
hyear
sago.
"Thenwhy—whydi
dtheyl
eav
eus?
"Mor
etear
s
escaped.
Iheldhi
shandsti
ght
ly."
Itwasn'
tthei
rchoi
ce,
Nic.Mum anddadweresick.
"It
oldhim.
"Did—Didn'tt
heyknowt hatweneededt hem? "I
t
fel
tlikeIwast r
anspor t
edbacky earsago,when
mum anddadhadj ustpassedaway .Nico
askedmet hesamequest i
onsthen,andev en
thoughIt r
iedmybestt oanswerhi squestions,
ri
ghtnow, Ifel
thelplessjustl
i
keIhadf eltall
thosey ear
sago.
"Theyknew, bud,butl
i
keIsai
d,t
heydidn'thave
achoi ce.Mum anddaddidnotwanttoleave
you,theywantedt ost
aywit
hyouforever,
"I
explai
ned.
"WhyisGodsocruel?Whydi
dHet akemum
anddadawayfrom us?Di
dGodnotknewthatI
neededmum anddad?"Heasked.
Ihadnoanswerforthat.Wel lIdi
d,butIdi
dn'
t
thi
nkIcouldexpl
aini
nar ationalmanner.SoI
optedtochoosethesubjectandgot otheheart
oftheprobl
em.
"Nico,what'
swrong?Whyaskmeal lt
hese
questi
onsagain?"Iunder
stoodwhyhewas
askingmet hi
s,butwhatIdidnotunderst
and
thatNicowasper f
ectl
yfi
neallt
hesey ear
s,and
nowal lofasuddenhewasaski ngaboutmum
anddad.
"I
fmum anddadwer eher
e,Iwoul
dn'
tbean
orphan,
"hesobbed.
Myheartachedathear
ingNicocall
himselfan
or
phan."Yo—Youarenotorphan,Ni
c."Iwashis
ol
dersi
ster.Iwaspr
acti
cal
lyhisparent
.
"YesIam,
"hecried."
Anor
phani
s
som—someonewhohasnopa—parent
s,andI
havenoparent
s."
"
But
—But
—"Ihadnoi
deawhatt
osayt
omake
hi
mfeel
bet
ter
.
"I
t'
strue, don'tl
iet
ome, Ali
ce.Ev er
ybodyin
school callsmeanor phan.Nobodywant stobe
myf r
iendbe—becauseI '
m anor —orphan.St
an
saysthatmypa—par ent
shat edmet hat
's
wh—whyt heyle—l
eftme."At orr
entoffr
esh
tear
sf ell
,assobsshookNi co'sbody.
Angerandsadnessf l
aredinmeasIwat ched
mybrothercry
ingforsomet hi
ngi nwhichhe
hadnocontrolover.Withoutt
hinking,
Iwrapped
Nicoi
nmyar ms, andrubbedhisback, al
lthe
whil
efumingov ert
hisSt anki
d.
"
Howlonghast
hisbeengoi
ngon?"Iasked,
t
ryi
ngmybestt
ocontai
nmyf ur
y.
"
Oneweekaf
terIj
oinedschool
,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"Andwhydidn'
tyoutel
lme?Youknowyouare
supposetotel
lmeifsomebodyhur
tyouor
bull
y'
syou."
"
Youhav
eyourownpr
obl
ems.It
houghti
t
wouldst—stopbutitdi
dn't
."Ihuggedhi
m
ti
ghter
.Iwishedhehadt ol
dmesoonert hat
ki
dswer ebully
inghi
m.Iwoul d'
vedeal
twitht
he
probl
em quicker.

"
Didy
out
ell
yourt
eacher
s?"Ienqui
red.
"No.
"Nicoseemedt
obeget
ti
nghi
msel
funder
cont
rol
.
"
Whynot
?"Iquer
ied.
"BecauseIdi
dn'twantt
hem t
othi
nkdi
ff
erent
ly
ofme,"herepl
ied.
"Ni
co,yourt
eacher
swil
lhel
py ou.Theywil
l
neverbul
lyy
ouoranyt
hing,
"Iexplai
ned.
"
Whati
ftheydo?
"Ni
coquer
ied.
"Theywon'
t,
"Istat
ed."SoIwanty outogot o
schoolt
omorrowtelly
ourt eacherhowthe
otherki
dsar
et r
eati
ngy ou.AndIam goingto
tal
ktoyourt
eacheraswel l,al
lri
ght.
"Iwiped
Ni
co'
sfacewi
thmyf
inger
s.
"
Yousur
eitwon'
tbeapr
obl
em?
"
"
Itwon'
tbeapr
obl
em atal
l
,"Iassur
edhi
m.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
"hesai
d.
"
Whatf
or?
"
"
Forcr
yingandwor
ryi
ngy
ou,
"heanswer
ed.
"Hey,I
'myoursist
er.Youcancryally ouwantin
frontme,
andy ouaremyl it
tl
ebrother,youare
supposetoworryme. "Ir
uffl
edhishai r
,my
heartj
umpinginreli
efwhenIsawNi cosmili
ng.
"Nowt el
lme, whatdoyouwantf
oryour
bri
thday?"Iasked,want
ingt
otal
kabouthappy
thi
ngs.
"
Isi
tokayi
fIwanttocel
ebr
atemybrit
hdayt
his
y
ear?
"Heasked,gr
eeneyeshopef
ul.
"
Youmeanl
i
keapar
ty?
"
Ni
conodded."
Sor
tof
.Yes,
ifi
t'
snotapr
obl
em.
"
"
Ofcourseyoucan.Whowoul
dyoul
i
ket
o
i
nvi
te?
"Iquesti
oned.
"
Iwantt
ocel
ebratemybi
rt
hdaywi
thot
herki
ds
l
i
keme."Ni
cotoldme.
"
Kidsl
i
key
ou?
"If
rownedi
nconf
usi
on.
"Orphans.Iwanttocelebr
atemybi
rt
hdaywi
th
orphans,"heexpl
ained.
"Oh.Reall
y?Isthatwhatyouwant
?"Ihadtobe
absolut
elysurethat
'swhatNi
cowanted.
Henodded."Yes.AndIwantahugepar t
ywith
l
otsofkidswhoar eor
phans.Iknowi twil
lcost
alotofmoney,i
fyoudon'thaveit
,thenIdon't
wantaparty
."
"Moneyisnotanissue.Andwe' l
lhaveahuge
par
ty,j
ustli
keyouwant ."Fi
nal
l
y ,mybrother
wasnotforl
ornanymor e.AssoonasIwoul d
l
eavehisroom,Iwouldst ar
tprepari
ngforhis
par
ty.
"Ohandcany oupl
easelett
heorphankids
knowthatIdon'
twantanypresent
s,Ij
ustwant
them t
ocomet omybirt
hdayparty
."Ni
cowas
l
ookingexci
tedabouthi
sbirt
hday.
"Ofcourse,I
'l
lletthem know. "Istoodupf rom
thebed."Now, whydon' tyougobackt oy our
homewor k,whileIgoandmakepr eper
ations
foryourhugebi r
thdayparty.Andt omorrow,I
'm
taki
ngy oushopping,okay?Iam goi ngtobuy
younewcl othesandshoes, allr
ight?"
Niconodded."
OkayAlice.Thanky
ousomuch.
Youarethebestsi
sterinthewhol
eworl
d."
"Andyouarethebestbr
otherever
."Wit
haf i
nal
wink,
Ilef
tNico'
sroom,eagertostar
tplanni
ng
hisbi
rt
hday.

.
"Wherewer
ey ou?"Chr
isaskedassoonasI
ent
eredourbedroom.
"
Itookyouradvi
ceandaskedNi
cowhathe
wanted,
"Ir
epli
ed.
"
Andwhatdi
dhesay
?"
"Hewant st
ocelebratehisbri
thdaywith
orphans.Socanyoupl easecontactdif
fer
ent
orphanagesandinvit
et heki
dstoNi co'
s
bir
thdaypart
y?"Irequested.
"
All
right
,any
thi
ngel
se?
"
"
Youagr
ee?Justl
i
ket
hat
?"Hewascr
azy
.
"
Ofcourse.Doi
ngthi
swil
lmakeNi
cohappy
,
whichi
nturnwil
lmakey
ouhappy.
"Ir
eal
lyl
oved
t
hisman.
"Soyouhavenopr
oblem wi
tht
hrowi
ngahuge
bir
thdaypar
tyf
orNi
co?"
"No,Idon'
t.Whatdoyout
hink,
wil
lfi
vehundr
ed
orphansbeenough?"
"
Fiv
ehundred?!Howwil
lweaccomodat
eso
many?
"Iasked,bewi
l
dered.
"Leaveitt
ome,li
tt
ledove.I'
vegotitunder
contr
ol.Youj
ustworryaboutfi
ndinganice
dresstowear
,"Hestated.
"
Youar
ecr
azy
,"Isai
d.
Hewinkedatme."
Crazyformywoman.
"Those
wor
dsmademyhear tfl
utter
.

TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t31<3
.
.
.
.

Chr
isplease,
"Imoaned,
losti
nthesensat
ionhe
wascreati
ngwithi
nme.Hismanhoodwas
doingdeli
cioust
hingst
ome,
tor
tur
ingmet
oa
bl
issful
end.
"
Notunt
ilI
'
m sat
isf
ied,
"hesai
d,t
hrust
ingdeep
i
nsi
deme.
"Sati
sfi
edabou—aboutwhat
?"Iasked
breathl
essl
y,bar
elyr
epr
essi
nganothermoan.
"Thatmyagendahasbeenmet
,"her
epl
i
ed,
pumpingi
nme.
"Whatagenda?Wh—Whatarey out
al—t
alki
ng
about
?"Whycouldn'
thej
ustletmecome?
"Myagendai sthat,
Iwantyout oknowwhoy ou
belongtoonceI '
m donewithyou,andIwant
youtonev erf
orgetit
,"hegroundout,screwi
ng
hissex,causi
ngawhi rl
windofsensationto
overtakeme.
"
Ial
readyknow,
"Imoanedout
.
"Doyou,
li
ttl
epeach?Doyouknowwhoy
ou
bel
ongto?"Hetweakedmynippl
e.
"
Yes.
"Anot
hermoanescaped.
"Who?Tel
lmewhoy oubelongt
o?"Hegr
it
ted
out
,Icoul
dtel
lhewasclose.
"Yo—You.
"Icl
osedmyeyesaspleasur
ewashed
overmewitht
hefor
ceofatidal
wav e.
"
Sayi
tagain.Louder
,"hecommanded,
thr
ust
ing
mor
eforceful
ly
.
"
You!
"Iscr
eamed.
"Saymyname.Scr
eam myname,
li
tt
lebi
rd,
"he
order
ed.
"Chri
s!"Andfinall
y,heallowedmet ofalli
nthe
pitofutmostbliss.Pleasureexpl
odedinside
measmyt oescur ledandmybackar chedas
theorgasm racedt hr
oughme.Ishudder edin
sexualdeli
ghtaswav eaf t
erwaveofpleasur
e
drownedmei ncarnal bl
iss.
"Myl
it
tl
efair
y."Hest
il
ledontopofmeashe
came,r
idi
nghisownor gasm.
Heroll
edonhi ssidet
akingmewithhim asboth
ofuslai
dthere,baski
nginpost
-coi
talbli
ss.I
snuggl
ednextt ohim,whoti
ght
enedhi sholdon
me.Oneofhishandsmadei tswayinmyhai r
whil
etheotherkeptmesecurel
yinplacenex t
tohim.
"Tell
meyoulov
eme,
"hecommandedsof
tl
y,
kissi
ngme.
Ibl
ushed."
I—Il
o—l
ovey
ou,
"Ist
utt
ered.
"Sayi
tagai
n,andt
hist
ime,
don'
tst
utt
er,
"he
order
ed.
"Why ?Youalr
eadyhowIf eel,
whydoy ouwant
met osayitagain?"Itwasn'tl
ikehet
oldme
l
ov edme,andt hatthoughtalwaysmanagedto
createafi
ssureinmyhear t
.
"
Sayi
t,
"hecommandedmor
efor
cef
ull
y.
"No.
"Ihidmyfacei
nthecr
ookofhisneck.Ifel
t
sovulner
abl
ewhentel
li
ngChri
sIl
ovedhim.He
hadmyheartandIwasafr
aidhewoul
dbr eakit
.
Hishandwhichwasr esti
ngonmywai stslowl
y
gli
dedsouthuntili
treachedtheapexofmy
thi
ghs.Andthen,slowly,t
woofhisfingers
enter
edme, causingmet ogaspinsur pri
se.I
wasalreadysoreandt enderdownthereduet o
thr
eeorgasms, andnowhi spenetr
atingfinger
s
werebacktotorturi
ngme.
"
Tellmeyoulov
eme,"hest
ated,
pumpi
nghi
s
f
inger
sinandout.
"Ial
readydi
d,
"Imoaned,
try
ingnott
ogi
vei
nto
him.
"
No,
tel
lmewi
thoutst
utt
eri
ng,
"heor
der
ed.
"Why?"St
arsexpl
odedi
nfr
ontofmyey
esasI
near
edanotheror
gasm.
"
BecauseIsai
dso,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"
Chr
isst
op,
"Ipl
eaded,
mysexhi
ghl
ysensi
ti
zed.
"
Notunt
ily
out
ell
mey
oul
oveme,
"hesai
d.
"
I—I
—"Ist
oppedmy
sel
fjusti
nti
me.
"Stubbor
narewe?Wel l
,I'
l
ljusthav etouse
othermeans."Heinsertedanot herfi
ngerand
l
atchedontomyl ef tbr
east.Instantl
y,my
sensesevadedmeandIwasl eftwit
hnothing
butthefeelofhi
slipsandf i
nger s.
"Tellmeyoulov
eme, andI'
llgi
veyouthe
repri
eveyousodesperat
elyseek.
"Heknewt hat
Iclose,
andhewashol di
ngmeont heedge.
Damnhi m!
Nothav ingthesupportofmycommonsense,I
voicedoutthewor dsthatmyhusbandwas
torturi
ngmef or."
Ilov
ey ou.
"Isai
dsoft
ly,
not
stutter
ing.
"Sayi
tagai
n."Hi
sfi
nger
shi
tmysweetspotand
Iwaslost
.
"
Ilov
eyou.
"
"
Onemor
eti
me,
li
tt
ledov
e."
"Il
oveyou."Andt
hatwaswhenIwasonce
againal
lowedtobat
hemysel
fint
hepleasur
eof
ami
ndnumbi
ngor
gasm.
"Youwillal
waysloveme,"hewhisper
ed,
before
captur
ingmylipsinsear
ingki
ssasmybody
shudderedwit
hthesizzl
i
ngboltsofmyclimax.
Andy ouwi l
lneverl
oveme.Thethoughtwas
pai
nful,butitwasthetr
uth.I
fhel
ov edmehe
would'v
et ol
dmebynow.Imean, Ibaredmy
soultohim, shoul
dn'
thedothesame?
Wel aidthere,
losti
nthefeelandwarmthofone
another.Bdbegunlazil
ytrai
li
ngfi
nger
sov er
skin,whil
eIkeptmyf acehiddeni
nthecrookof
hisneck, i
nhal
inghi
smascul i
nescent
.
"
Wehav
eal
ott
odot
oday
,don'
twe?
"Hesai
d.
"Yes.Thecat
erer
sandt hedecor
ator
swi l
lbe
arri
vi
ngsoon,andIneedtotakeoutNico'
s
outfi
tfort
oni
ght,
"Ist
ated.
"Whatki
ndofcakei
sNicogoi
ngf
or?
"Heasked,
get
ti
ngupfrom t
hebed.
"I
cecream cake,
it'
shisfavor
it
e."It
oldhi
m,
eyei
nghim nakedform wit
hobv i
ousappr
oval
.
"Al
lri
ght
,whydon'
tyouchangeaswel
l
,"he
suggest
ed.
"Howmanyor phanshaveyouinvit
ed?"I
quest
ioned,watchinghi
m disappeari
nginsi
de
thewalk-
incloset.
"
Fiv
ehundredandf
if
ty,
ist
hatokayorshoul
d
weinv
itemore?
"
"No,
fiv
efif
tyar
efi
ne.
"Jeez,
hehadal
otof
cont
acts.
Takingadeepbr eathIremovedmysel
ffrom the
bedanddr aggedmynakedbodyi nthe
bathroom.It urnedontheshowertomedium
heatandi nstantl
ygotunderthewarm spray
,
l
etti
ngt hewat ersootheme.
Isti
ffenedasar msencir
cledmywaist,
but
i
nstantlyrel
axedknowingt hati
twasChri
s
behindme.Il eanedi
ntohim asthewater
cascadedov
erus.
"
Youdeci
dedt
ojoi
nme,
"Isai
d.
"Can'tl
ety
ouhaveal
lthefun,
nowcanI
?"He
kissedmynecksweet
ly.
"
Whatf
un?
"Igr
innedathi
m.
"
Thi
s,t
aki
ngashower
,"her
epl
i
ed.
"
You'r
ekiddi
ng,
right
?Howistaki
ngashower
f
un?"Iar
chedmyey ebr
owsinquest
ion.
"WhatImeantwas,t
akingashowerwit
hyoui
s
fun,
"hecor
rect
edbeforedi
ppingafi
ngeri
nmy
heat,
andIwaslostonceagai
n.
.
"Doy outhinkthey
'l
l come?"Nicoasked
nervously,
ey ei
ngtheempt ygroundswhi ch
weredecor atedwithball
oonsandst r
eamers.
Therewer eaf ewtableswithvarious
assortmentofsnacks, andonet ablewhichwas
reservedforgoodiebagst hatNi
cohi mself
f
il
ledwi
thexci
ti
ngt
hings.
"Ofcour
set
hey'
llcome,
"Iassur
edmybr
other
,
giv
inghi
sshoul
derasqueeze.
"
Whati
ftheydon'
t?
"Hequer
ied,
looki
ngatme.

"Theywil
l,don'tworry.
"ItwasChriswhor epl
ied,
comingupandst andingnexttome."Youokay ,
l
itt
lepeach?Mybabyi sn'tgi
vi
ngy ouanytrouble,
i
she? "Hewhi spered.Hewasdr essedtokill
.
Hissuitf
ittoperfecti
on,andnotahai rwasout
ofplace.
"No,
thebabyi
sbehaving,
andst
opsay
inghe,
it
coul
dbeashe,"Ipoi
ntedout
.
"I
t'
sahe.Mymum mi ght
'veescapedthef
amily
cursebutt
hatdoesn'
tmeanyoucan,"hest
ated.
"
Ican,andspeaki
ngofyourmum,youst
il
lhav
e
t
otell
meaboutEl i
zabet
h,"Ir
emi
ndedhi
m.
"
YesIdo,
howaboutt
omor
row?
"Hedi
dn'
tl
ook
ner
vousatal
lmucht
omysur
pri
se.
"Al
lri
ght
.Yeah,tomorrow.You'
l
ltel
lme
ever
ythi
ng,
right?"Fi
nal
ly,
hewouldtel
lme
abouthi
ssister
.
"
Yes,I
'l
ltel
lyouwhat
every
ouwantt
oknow,
"he
r
epl
ied.
"They'
rehere,theyarehere!"Nicosaidexcit
edl
y.
Ifoll
owedNi co'sgazeandsawt hreebuses
arri
ve.Theypar kedbefor
ethedoorwasopened
andnumer ouschi l
drenfi
lt
er edout,weari
ng
colorf
ulcl
othes.Mor ebusesf oll
owedintheir
wakeandmor echi l
drenpi
ledout .
"Wow,t
hat
'sal
otofchi
ldren,
"IcommentedasI
eyedt
hehundr
edsofchil
drenrunni
ngar
ound.
Ni
cohurri
edovertothem andsoonenoughhe
wasmingli
ngwit
hkidshisownage.ChrisandI
wal
kedaboug,watchi
ngassomeoft hekids
werebei
ngent
ertai
nedbyt hecl
ownwhi l
ethe
ot
hershel
pedthemselvestosnacksandjui
ce.
"
Thi
sisni
ce,
isn'
ti
t?"Isai
dtoChr
is.
"Yes,havi
ngthesechil
drenher ei
snice.
"Hewas
eyeingsomeoneatadi stance.If
oll
owedhis
gazet oseehewaslookingatababyboy ,
no
olderthanafewmont hs,sit
it
nginthelapoft
he
oneoft hecaret
akers.
Withoutsay ingany t
hing,
Chr i
swal kedtowards
thebaby ,
mebesi dehi m,andinaf ewseconds
wer eachedt hebaby .Thelit
tl
eboygav eChrisa
toothlesssmi l
eandhesmi ledback.Thebaby
l
ookedt ohav eblondehairwithdar kbl
ueey es,
andt hemostbeaut i
fulsmileIhadev erseenon
ababy .Hischubbycheekshadpi nksplotches,
andhewasdr essedinar edshirtandblue
pants, wit
habl uecapt omat ch.
"MayIholdhi
m?"Chri
saskedt hecaretaker
,a
sweetladywi
thmochaskinanddar k,cur
lyhai
r.
ShenoddedandChri
swast edli
tt
letimein
picki
nguptheboyf
rom herlap.
IwatchedasChr isinter
actedwitht
heli
tt
leboy,
helookedliketheepitomeoff at
her
hood.He
wastreati
ngt heli
ttl
eboyasi fhewashisown
son.Seei
nghi ml ikethi
s,hadmywor r
ies
evaporat
ing.Iknewhewoul dmakeanexcell
ent
fat
her.
"
What
'shi
sname?
"Iaskedt
hecar
etaker
.
"
Fornow,
hisnameisShawn,
ithasn'
tbeen
f
inal
i
zedyet
."Shet
oldme.
"Abi
oye,
"Chr
issai
d,causi
ngbot
hofust
olook
upathiminsur
pri
se.
"
What
?"Iquer
ied.
"
Hisnameshoul
dbeAbi
oye,
"Chr
iscl
ari
fi
ed.
"
Why?"Ienqui
red,wat
chi
ngt
hebabypl
ayi
ng
wi
thChri
s'
shair.
"I
tsui
tshi
m, don'
tyouthi
nk?
"Heki
ssedt
he
baby'
schubbycheek.
"
Iguess.
"Tobehonest
,It
houghtt
henamewas
st
range.
"Howlonghashebeenwi
thy
ou?
"Heaskedt
he
caret
aker.
"Si
ncethedayhewasbor n.Hisparentsdi
edin
anaccidentwhi
lehewasst i
l
latthehospit
al,he
wasapr eemie,
yousee.Theywer ecomingto
seehim whentheygoti
nanacci dentanddied,
"
sheinf
ormedus.
"
Andy ouhav
en'tdeci
dedonanamey et
?All
t
histi
me?"Chri
senquired,
hol
dingt
hebaby
's
t
inyhand.
"All
theki
dscallhi
m wi
thdif
fer
entnames,
it'
s
kindofdi
ff
icul
tforust
opickone.
"Shesmil
ed.
"
Youshoul
dnamehi
m Abi
oye,
"Chr
isst
ated.
"Peopl
ehavetheri
ghttochangeababy
'sname
i
ftheychoosetoadopthi
m."Thecaret
akert
old
us.
"
Dot
heynow?
"Chr
isf
rowned.
"Yes,si
ncethi
sonedoesn'thaveabir
th
certi
fi
cat
eyet.We'l
lhavehiscer
ti
fi
cat
emadei
n
afewday s,
"sherepl
ied.
"
Andwhyhav en'
tyouhadhi
sbir
thcer
ti
fi
cat
e
madeupt
ilnow?"Chri
squer
ied.
"Wewerehopingsomebodywilladopthim,we
someti
meswai ti
toutincaset
hebabi esget
adopt
ed,butnowwe' l
lhav
ehisbirt
hcerti
fi
cat
e
made,
"sheanswer ed.
"
Canyouwaitforafewday s,
ifi
t'
snottoomuch
t
oask?"Chri
squesti
oned,smili
ngatthebaby
.I
l
ookedathi
mi nconfusi
on,wonderi
ngwhyhe
wasmakingsucharequest.
"
MayIknowt her
easonwhy
,Mr
.Pal
mer
?"The
l
adyasked.
"
Welly
ou'
vewait
edthi
slong,I
'm sur
eyoucan
wai
tafewmoreday
s,can'ty
ou?"
"Yesbut,y
ouhav
etogi
veusar
eason,
sir
,"she
persi
sted.
"
Canyouorcany ounotwaitafewmoreday
s?"
Chr
isdodgedherquest
iononceagai
n.
"
Wecan,
but
—"
"Perf
ect.That'
sallgood."Chri
stri
edtohandt
he
babyovertot hecaretakerwhenhestart
edto
cry.Wit
houtthinki
ng,Chr i
shuggedthebabyt
o
him,andinstantl
yhest oppedcryi
ng.
"Wellwouldyoulookatthat
,heli
kesy
ou,Mr
.
Palmer,
"thecaretakersai
dwithasmil
eonher
face.
"Doeshe, Il
i
kehim, t
oo."Chriskissedthebaby '
s
headaf f
ecti
onatel
y.Hewhi speredsomet hing
theli
tt
leboy '
searbeforerel
uctantly,
handing
him overtothecar
et aker
.Takingmyhand,
Chri
sledmeawayf rom thebaby .
"
Whatdi
dyousayt ot
hebaby
?"Iaskedoncewe
wer
easafedi
stanceaway
.
"
Imadeapr
omi
set
ohi
m,"Chr
isanswer
ed.
"
Andt
hati
s?"
"
ThatI'
l
lneverl
etat
earescapehi
sey
es,
"he
r
esponded.
"
Idon'
tunder
stand,
"Isai
dhonest
ly.
"Waitf
orthi
spartytobeover,
I'
ll
tel
lyout
hen,
"
herepl
iedandthatwastheendofour
conver
sati
onregardi
ngtheli
tt
lebaby.
Ther estoft heev eningpassedwi thsmilesand
l
aught ers.Nicodi dnotst opsmi l
i
ngf orevena
minut eashet al
kedt oeachev erykidthatwas
presentt here.Nicoper sonall
ythankedallof
them forcomi ngtohi sbirt
hdaypar t
y,andwhen
hecutt hecake, Ni cohadt hebiggestsmi l
eon
hisface.Themai dswer eresponsibl
efor
makingsur ethatev erykidgotcakeanda
healthyser v
ingofsnacks.
Whenitwasti
mef oral
lthekidstoheadback,
Nicomadesur
ethatnoonel eftwit
houta
goodi
ebag.Heevengavegoodi ebagstothe
caret
akersandthankedt hem forcoming.Only
whenthelastofthebusesdr oveawayt hatNi
co
wenti
nside.Chri
sinstruct
edt hemaidstoclean
upandbringNico'spresentsi
nside.Thenhe
tookmyhandandl edmei nsi
de.
"Sonowwill
youtel
lmeaboutt
hebaby?
"I
askedassoonashecl
osedourbedr
oom door
.
"
Howwi l
lyoul
i
keiti
fweadopt
edthatbaby
?"
Heaskedme,t
aki
ngmebysurpri
se.
"
Seri
ousl
y?"Whydidhewantt
oadoptababy
whenhewasgoingtohav
ehisownchi
ldinj
ust
afewmonths?
"
Yes,
"her
epl
i
edandsatdownnextt
ome.
"
Chri
s,areyousureyouwanttoadoptababy,
whenyou'l
lhav
ey ourownchi
l
dinjustafew
months?
"Ishif
tedclosert
ohi
m.
"
It
'snotabouthavi
ngmyownbaby ,l
itt
lefair
y.
Di
dy ouseethesmileonhisf
ace?Didyousee
t
heinnocencesparkl
ingi
nthosebl
ueey es?I
don'tknowabouty oubutIwon' tbeabl
etoli
ve
wit
hmy sel
fknowingthatinnocenceandsmile
wil
l benomor eoncehegr owsupandf acesthe
harshreali
ti
esofthisworl
d, notwhenIcando
somet hi
ngaboutit,
"hestated.
"Butareyousureyouwantt o,Imean,taki
ng
responi
sibl
it
yofachil
disn'teasy.Andwi l
lyou
abletotr
eathimjustl
i
key ourownson, ev
en
wheny ourownbabyisborn? "Iasked.
"Yes.Imaynotbeaf atheryet,l
itt
lepeach,butI
doknowt hatIwantt hatlit
tl
eboyt obemyson.
Iwantt oprotecthi
mf rom theev i
lsofthi
swor l
d.
Iwantt okeepmypr omi setohi m andmake
surethatnot earsescapehi sey es.Andjustli
ke
I'
ll
protectmyr ealchild,I'
l
lprotectmyadopt ed
one,too,sowhatdoy ousay ?
"
Ididn'thav
etothinkmuch,theanswerwas
staringatmeri
ghtintheface.Hewasr i
ght
,
takingcareofachil
dwhohadnoonei nthi
s
wor ldwastheri
ghtthi
ngtodo.Imean, Ni
co
wasanor phan,andnoonewast hereexcept
me.Nicodi dnotgett hel
oveheneededand
deserv
edbecauseourpar entsdied.Butnow,
whentherewasawayt hatalit
tl
eboycoul dget
thelov
eofpar ents,thenwhyshoul dn'
twet ake
i
t.Whatwast hepoi ntofallt
hisweal t
hwhen
wecouldn'tuseittohelpthepeopl einneed.
"Al
lri
ght.I'
m wi
thyou.I
fyouwanttoadoptthat
baby,thenyouhav
emyf ull
support
,andI'
l
llove
andtreathimli
kemyownson."Itol
dChriswho
beamedatmei nresponse.
"Thanky
ou,
li
tt
lebir
d,t
hankyousomuch.We'l
l
goinafewdaysandadopthi
m,"hest
ated.
"
Whynott
omor
row?
"Iasked.
"Areyoukiddi
ng?Wehavetobuyclot
hesand
toysforhi
m.AndIhav et
oinf
orm dadandmy
brother
saboutthi
s,sowehavetowaitf
ora
fewday s.
"
Ichuckl
edbef
orehel
eaneddownandki
ssme
t
ender
ly.Hi
ski
sst
oldmeal
lIneededt
oknow.
Thatev
ery
thi
ngwoul
dbeal
lri
ght
.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t32<3
.
.
.
.

IclosedNico'sbedr
oom dooraftermakingsure
hewasbusywi thhi
shomewor k.Icheckedto
seet hatt
hemai dsdi
dnotneedmebef oreI
wentt oseemyhusband.TodayChr i
swas
goingt ot
ellmeaboutEl
izabeth.Thethoughtof
thatbarel
yletmesleepatnight,butIwasn't
ti
red.Iwantedtoknowabouthi ssist
er,andhe
wasf
inal
l
ygoi
ngt
otel
lme.
"Hey,
whatareyoudoing?"Chri
saskedassoon
asIenter
ed.Hewasty pi
ngawayonhislapt
op,
butIwasnotgoingt
ol ett
hisgo.Hewasgoing
totel
lme,andhewasgoi ngtotel
lmenow.
"
Tel
lmeaboutEl
i
zabet
h,"Isai
dbl
unt
ly.
Hiseyebr
owsfur
rowed."
Now?Can'
ti
twai
t?I
'
ve
gottosendaf
ewemai l
s,
"hesai
d.
"
No.Now.
"Iscoot
edcl
osert
ohi
m.
"
Buti
t'
sjustafewemail
,l
itt
ledov
e."Iknewhe
wasst
all
ing,
butIwasdeter
mind.
"
No.Now.
"Ipar
rot
ed.
Hesighedandshuthi
slapt
op."Al
lri
ght
.Come
her
e."Hepull
edmecloserunt
ilmyli
pswerea
whi
sperawayf r
om hi
sneck.
"
Whatdoy ouwantt
oknow?"Hegazedatme
t
hrought
hosemesmeri
zingeyes.
"
Ever
ythi
ng,
"Ianswer
ed.
"Okay
,whereshoul
dIst
art
?"Hehel
dmyhandi
n
hisbi
gones.
"
From t
hebegi
nni
ng,
"Ist
ated.
"Al
lri
ght,
mylittl
ecuri
ousbird."Hecl
osedhi
s
eyesandtookadeep, asifhewasprepar
ing
himsel
ftorevealahorri
bletr
uth.
"Asy oual readyknow, mymum managedt o
breakthef ami lycur seandbor eababygi rlfi
rst,
beforeme, KeiranandBr enton.Ev erythingwas
perfectint heirl i
v es; myf atherador edEl i
zabeth,
andwasacompl et esl avetoherhappi ness.My
grandpar ent sdi dn'texact l
yappr ov eofhav i
nga
gir
last hef irstchi l
d, asy oucani magi net hei
r
pri
mi ti
vet hinki ngabouthav ingaboyf irstwho
willcarryont hef ami lyname. "Hepaused.
"Nonethel ess, theykeptt heirmout hsshut
aboutt heirdi sappr ov al ;
becausei fmydad
heardany onet alkingaboutLi zzyinanegat ive
way ,heorshewoul dbei ngr eattroubl e.Sof or
mydad, theel derskeptt hei
rt hought sand
opini
onstot
hemsel
v es,
andpr
etendedt
obe
happyformyfat
her
'ssake.
"Year spassed,andasLi zzygrewup, myf at
her
startedbecomi ngmor eandmor eprot ect
iveof
her;somuchso, thatshest art
edtof eel
suffocated.Myf at hermadesur eshewas
accompani edbynol essthansixserv ants
wher evershewent .Shehadaper sonal maid
whost ayedwithhert wentyfourseven.
Eli
zabet hhatedt hespeci alt
reatment, butshe
couldn'tdoany thingabouti t.
"
"
Shecoul
d'
vet
alkedt
oyourf
ather
,"Isuggest
ed.
Hescoffed."Yout hi
nkshedi dn'
ttr
yt hat?She
beggedfatherforrepri
eve;shedidn'tstop
aski
ngforjustabi toffr
eedom.Al lLizzy
wantedwassomet i
met obreathealone.She
wantedtobebyher sel
fandshehar dlyev ergot
i
t.Theonlytimeshewasal onewaswhenshe
wasinthebat hroom."
"
Well
,int
hatcase,shemustbetaki
ngincr
edi
bly
l
ongshowers.
"Itwasmeanttobeajoke,but
whenhenodded,myeyeswidened.
"Shedi dexact lythat.Shespenthour sinthe
bathr oom.Somuchso, theoneday ,themai d
freakedoutt hinki
ngLi zzyhascommi tt
ed
suicide.Butt henmyf atherandLizzyhadal ong
talkov erLizzy'sextensivestaysinthe
bathr oom.Li zzydemandedsomef reedom but
myf atherrejectedherpl eas.Mymot hertri
edt o
reasonwi t
hhi m aswel lbutfat
herstatedthat
Lizzywasnotgoi ngt ospendt i
mewi thout
any onewat chingoverher ."
"Yourfathercoul
d'v
eall
owedalit
tl
ef r
eedom,"I
stat
ed; t
ryi
ngt oi
maginemysel
finLizzy'
splace.
Ifmyfatherkeptmeundersupervi
siontwenty
fourseven,Iwould'
vegoneber
serk
"Accordi
ngtohim,hewasonlykeepi
nghisbaby
gir
lsafe.Hedidnotwantanyharmtocomeher
way .Fat
herkeptEl
izabet
hshel
ter
edall
her
l
ife—t
hati
s,unt
ilsheranaway
.Buthewasj
ust
keepi
nghersaf
e,"hesaid.
"Sowhathappenedt hen?"Iasked.Iwantedto
arguethathisf
athercould'
veloosenupabi t
,
butIdecidednottobotherwitharguments.I
na
way ,
Icouldunderst
andwhyMr .Palmerdid
whathedi d.
"Eli
zabethwasangr y,butshecoul dn'
tdomuch;
soshedeci dedonanot hertacti
c.She
befri
endedherper sonal maidwhom she
resentedprevi
ously.Lizzystartedusingher
mai dasaconf i
dente;tell
inghersobst or
ies
aboutf eel
i
ngtrapped, until
themai dstar
ted
helpinghersneakoutoft hecast l
e.Andt hen,
Lizzywashappy ,becauseshef inall
ygott he
freedom shecraved,ev enifitwasonl yfora
fewhour severyday.Andi twasdur i
ngone
thoseescapadest hatshemetHenr y."He
pausedonceagai n.
"
How?
"Icoul
dn'
thel
paski
ng,
event
houghI
knewhewasaboutt
otel
lme.
"Li
zzymethi m duringwi nters.Itwasoneof
thosenight swher esnowbecamey ourworst
enemy .Lizzyhasbeenshel teredherwholelif
e
anddidn'thav easi ngl ecl
ueonhowt osurvi
ve
i
next r
emeweat her.Shesnuckoutwi thonl
ya
furcoat,hatandgl oves,butt heycouldn'
tstop
thesnowf rom penet rati
ngherski n.Shewas
verycold,buti ncredi blystubborn.Shedidnot
darereturn, becauseshewant edtospendher
threehour sinpr ivate.Soshesatunderat r
ee,
shiver
ingf rom thebr utalcold.Andt hatwas
howshemetHenr y .
"Li
zzydidnotwantt owastehert i
mesi tti
ng
underatreef ort
hreehours,soshedeci dedto
checkoutt heshopsnearby,andthatwas
whereshef ir
stsawt hemanshef ell
inlov ewit
h.
Henrywasbuy i
ngapackofmat chst
ickswhen
hesawLi zzyentertheshop.Andaccor dingto
mysister,all
hisconcernsfl
ewawayt he
momentt heireyesmet.Henrydroppedthe
mat chsticksandi mmediatel
yrushedov ert
o
herbecauseshewasshi veri
ngfrom thecol
d.
Henr yimmedi at
elyremovedhisjacket,
and
drapedi tov erher.
"
"Soundsl
i
keagent
leman,
"Icomment
edwi
tha
smile.
"Heisanext remelyhonorableman, andIam
gladLizzyfoundhim.Any way s,f
rom thenon,
HenryandLi zzystart
edmeet i
nginsecr et,
obviously,
andev ery
bodyt houghtthatLi zzyhas
acceptedfather'
sdecisionaboutabsol ute
supervisi
on.Lit
tl
edidt heyknowt hatLizzywas
happybecauseshewasi nlovewithanot her
manandwasusi ngherper sonalmaidt osneak
outoft hecastl
e."Hetookadeepbr eath.
"Aft
erafewmonths,fatherannounced
Eli
zabet
h'sandAl
ejandro'
smar ri
age.And
Eli
zabet
hwasnothappy .Shewant edtomarry
Henry,t
hemanshel oved,notherchil
dhood
f
ri
end.
"
"Yourf
athershoul
d'
veaskedEli
zabet
hwhet
her
shewantedtomar r
yAlej
andr
oornot,"I
i
nterr
upted.
"
Hewant edto,bel
ieveme, hedid,
butther
e
wer
eotherfactorsaswel l
whichledhi
mt o
i
gnorehi
sonl ydaughter
'swishes,
"he
r
esponded.
"
Fact
orsl
ikewhat?Whatcouldbemor e
i
mport
antthanyourdaught
er'
sdeci
sion?"
"Youshouldknowsomet hingaboutthePal mer
famil
y.Ourv al
ueshaven'
treall
ychangedinall
thi
stime.Thisisthetwentyfi
rstcent
ury,yetwe
havethesameandr ocentri
cthinki
ngthatour
ancestorshad.Weasi nthemal esar
e
patr
iarchal
.Andthat'
showi thasbeenf r
om
generati
ontogenerati
on."
"
Youmeantosay
, y
ouguy ssti
ll
beli
evethat
womenhav
enorightsandthatthei
ronl
y
pur
posei
stoser
vet
hemal
especi
e?"Iscowl
ed.
Hel aughed."
Notr eall
y.Butyeah,wemakesur e
thatthefemalesint hi
sf amil
yknowwhohas
thepower .Welovet odomi nateandmakeour
womensubmi t.
"Hi svoiceturnedhuskyashe
saidthelastpar
t;anddespi tewantingtograb
him andkisshim sill
y,Ieyedhim withevi
dent
disapproval
.
Isatupt
ofacehi
m."
Idon'
tl
iket
his,
"Ist
ated.
Hechuckl
eddarkl
y."
Iti
swhatitis,youdon'
t
havetoli
kei
t.Youmy ,
li
tt
lefai
ry,j
ustneedto
l
earntoli
vewithi
t.
"Hekissedmesof tl
y.
"St
arttel
li
ngmeaboutEl izabet
hbefor
eI
scrat
chy oureyesoutbecauseofyour
androcentr
icthi
nki
ng,"Iwarned.
Hechuckl
edagai
n."
Justt
ry,
li
tt
lepeach,
just
t
ry.
"
"
Star
ttal
ki
ng,
"Iseet
hed.
"
Orwhat
?"Hegav
emechal
l
engi
ngl
ook.
"
Justst
artt
alki
ng.
"
"
No.
"Hecr
ossedhi
sar
msov
erhi
schest
.
Inarr
owedmyey
esathi
m."
Don'
tpushme,
"I
thr
eatened.
"Don'ty
ougetitbynow, pushingyoui swhatI
l
ov edoingmost."Ihadnoideai fi
twasmeor
myhor mones,butassoonast hewor dslef
thi
s
l
ips,Iwasonhiml ikeapredatortoprey.I
start
edscrat
chinghischest,butinjustunder
fi
veseconds,hehadmepi nnedunderhi m.
"Letgo,youpat
ri
archalman.Iam goingto
changeyoursexi
stmi nd-
seti
fit
'sthelastt
hing
Ido,"Igr
owled.
Hesealedmyli
pswi thhi
sandonl yrel
easedme
af
terIwasgaspi
ngf oroxygen.Hepeppered
ki
ssesallov
ermyjawandneckandhadme
moaninginj
ustundertwomi nutes.
"God, Il
ovethi
ssideofyou.Youshoul
dbe
car eful,
youdon'twanttoharmthebaby.
"I
frozeathi sword.Shit
!Hewasr i
ght
,whatwasI
thinking.Icoul
d'veharmedmybabybyact i
ng
sor eckl
essl
y.
"OhmyGod.I
'm sosor
ry.Idi
dn'
treal
ize.
..
"He
rel
easedmywri
stsandIimmediatel
yplacedmy
handonmyswollent
ummy .
"
Hey,r
elax.
"Hekissedmycheek."
It
'sokay
.I
won'
tl
etanythi
nghappent
oy ouorourbaby.
"
"
ButIwasn'
tthi
nki
ngandIj
umpedony
ou.
"
"AndIcaughtyou,j
ustl
ikeI
'
llal
wayscat
chyou.
Iwon'
teverletyoufal
l.
"Hepull
edmetohim.
"Doyouwanttoheart
her
estoft
hest
ory
?"He
askedsof
tl
y.
"
Yes,
"Imut
ter
edsof
tl
y.
"
Let
'ssee,
wher
ewasI
?"
"
Youwer
etel
l
ingmewhyy
ourf
atherdi
dn'
task
f
orLi
zzy
'sper
missi
on,
"Ir
emi
nededhi
m.
"Ri
ght.Mainlymyfatherdidn'
tdothiswas
becauseitwasmygr andf
ather'
sdecisi
on.He
wantedElizabet
htomar ryAlej
andro,andhe
str
ict
lytol
dmyf athernottointer
vene.My
fat
herwast oonlyfocusont hewedding."
"
Oh,
Isee.
"
"WhenElizabet
hgott oknow, shewasf uri
ous.
Shewant edtorunaway ,butwasaf r
aid.She
wantedtheblessingsofmum anddad, but
unfort
unatel
yshegotnone.Sher eachedoutto
mef orhelpbecauseIam herbestf ri
end.Even
thoughIknewt hatdadwoul dneveragree,Ist
il
l
tri
edtotalktohim, t
oreasonwi t
hhim, buttono
avail
,
dadr ef
usedt obudge.
"Ihat
eddisappoi
nti
ngmysi st
er,butIhadtotel
l
herthatf
atherdi
dnotagree.It
riedtostopher
from mar
ryingHenr
y,notbecauseIdidn'
tthi
nk
hewasagoodman, butbecauseIdidnotwant
afeudi nthef amil
y,ourrelati
vesweren'texactl
y
thr
il
ledwi t
ht hefactthatEl i
zabet
hwasf ir
st
born,thi
swoul d'
vegivent hem ammuni ti
on
againstmyf ather.ButLizz yi
nheri
tedal otfr
om
ourdad, andoneoft hetraitwasbeingst r
ong-
wil
led.Sher efused,andt oldmestraightupt hat
shewasonl ygoingt omar ryHenry,wit
hor
wit
houtmysuppor t.
"
"
Yoursi
sterr
anawayf
rom home,
"Isai
d.
"Yes,shedi
dandIhel
pedherescape,
"he
confessed.
Myey ebrowsshottomyhai r
li
neathearingthi
s.
Noway .Notpossibl
e.Hewoul dneverdo
anythi
ngliket
hat.Well
atleastIthoughthe
wouldn'
t.Buthedid.Hehelpedhissist
er
escape.
"Youhelpedherescape?How?Why ?"I
questi
oned,i
ntr
igued.Heal
way smanagedt
o
surpr
iseme,inonewayort heother
.
"Yes.Thedaywhenshewasgoi ngt orunaway ,
IheldtheladderwhichEl i
zabethusedt ocli
mb
downf rom herroom, whileHenryst oodbeside
mer eadytotakeElizabethaway .WhenLi zzy
wassaf el
yont heground, shetoldmewher e
sheandHenr ywil
lbegoi ngandt hatIwas
welcomet ocomeandseet hem.Idi dnotwant
hertoleave,butIwillnevergoagai nsther
happiness.Li
zzyisnotonl ymysi ster,sheismy
bestfri
endandmyconf i
dente.
"Anyway ,Li
zzyandHenr yranaway,andI
pretendedtobeshockedandangr yl
ike
everybodyelseint hefami l
y.NobodyknewI
helpedmysi sterescape.ButImadesur eto
checkuponheratl easttwiceamonth.Shehad
herfirstbabyay earaftersheandHenrygot
mar ri
ed."
"Whathappenedwithy
ourf
ami
l
yaf
terLi
zzyr
an
away?"Ienqui
red.
"
Whatdoy
out
hink?Mypar
ent
swer
edi
str
aught
.
Dadwasangr yandhear tbroken.Therelati
ves
swoopeddownl i
kevultures,tel
li
ngmyf ather
howt heyhadbeenr i
ghtal lal
ongandt hat
Eli
zabethwasnot hi
ngbutadi sgracetothe
famil
y.Theysaidthatsheshoul dneverhave
beenf i
rstbor
n,becauseshewast ooselfi
shto
keepherf ami
ly'
sreputationintact.
"I
tall wentdownhil
lfrom there.Mum anddad
fought .Dadchanged,hewentf rom bei
nga
slaveofl ov
etoacol d,r
uthlessmanwhonev er
trustedanyoneagain.Lizzy'
sdi sappear
ence
turnedmydadt ostone.Hest oppedl ovi
ng.He
stoppedcar i
ng."
"I
'm sosorr
y."Ididn'twhyIsai dt
hat.Maybe
becauseIcouldpi ctur
et hepainandunrestof
hisfamil
y.Andsel fi
shornot ,Iwasactual
lygl
ad
thatthi
swasn'tthef amilyIwasbornin.Sure,
myf amil
ywaspoor ,andIlostmypar ents
becausewedi dn'thaveenoughmoneyt opay
forthei
rtr
eatment ,buttherewasloveand
happiness.Wedidn'
thav er
elat
ivesthat
objectedtoourexi
stence.Myfamilyhadpeace.
"
Don'
tbe,
"hemur
mur
ed,
str
oki
ngmyhai
r.
"
Doy ouregretit
?"Ilookedathim."Doyou
r
egrethelpi
ngElizabethescape?Doyoufeel
r
esponsibleforwhathappenedwi t
hyour
f
amily?"Iasked.
Henodded."Idid.Ididfeelli
keitwasall
my
faul
t.ButwhenIt ol
dEl i
zabeth,
shesaidthati
t
wasn'tmyfault;t
hatshewoul d'
verunaway
whetherIhelpedherornot .Shesai
difanyone
shouldfeel
responsible,i
tshouldbeher.
"
"She'
sright
,"Ist
ated.Andshewas.I
twasnot
hisfaul
t.Heonlywantedtokeephi
ssist
er
happy.Hewant edtomakesureshewassafe.
"
Doy
out
hinkso?
"Heasked,
sof
tl
y.
"Yes.Youl
oveyoursisterandwasonlyhelpi
ng
her,i
twasn'
tyourfaul
tthatyourf
atherchanged,
noneofiti
syourfault
.Sodon'tbl
amey oursel
f,
"
Isai
d,f
ir
mly
.
"
Idon'
tbl
amemy sel
fany
more,
butIdi
dfora
l
ongti
me."Hesmil
edatme.
"Good.I
fyoust
il
lbl
amey our
self,
thenI
'
llbe
giv
ingyouanot
hert
alk,
"Iwarned.
Hechuckl
ed."
YesMa' am."Andcapt
uredmy
l
ipsi
nasweet,tenderki
ss.
Icoul
dtellt
herewasmor etothestor
y;he
hadn'
ttol
dmeev eryt
hing,buthet
oldme
enough.Andfornow,thatwasenough.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t33<3
.
.
.
Chriseyedmewi thamusement ,
whileIonly
shothim aglareinret
urn.Hewasenj oy
ingthi
s
alot,andall
Icoulddowasst ar
eatt heclockas
thesecondst i
ckedbyanddi nnerti
mecame
closerwit
hev er
ytickandtock.
"Don'
tworr
y,l
it
tl
epeach,
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbef
ine,
"
hesaidf
orthefi
ft
iet
hti
me.
Ishookmyheadf orthefi
ft
iet
htime."
No,no.
Yourdadhat esme,andhe'
sgoingtohat
eall
thi
s."Igest
uredtothepot
sandpansont he
stove."
Areyougoingtoki
ckmeout ?"
TodayChr i
swasgoi ngtot ellhi
sf amilyabout
thetermi nati
onoft hecont ract,andIwas
nervousaswel l.Nomat terhowhar dIt r
iedI
couldn'tgetthel ookofdisappr ovalfrom Mr.
Palmeroutofmymi nd.Andnomat terwhat,my
heartjustwoul dn'tstoppoundi ng,li
ke
somet hingreall badwasgoi ngtohappenandI
bett
erbepr eparedf ori
t.
"
Nobodyhatesyou,l
it
tl
eone.
"Hekissedmy
f
orehead."
Rel
ax,i
t'
snotgoodfort
hebaby.
"
"Youknowwhat '
snotgoodforthebaby,y
our
father'
shatred.OhmyGod, whatam Igoi
ngto
do, Idi
dn'tevenlookf
oranapartment,
where
willIgo?"Iwasspeakingt
omy self
.
Hisgriponmyar mst i
ghtened, andIlookedup
athimt oseet hegreenirisesresembl i
ng
shardsofanger ."
Getonet hi
ngst rai
ght,l
i
ttl
e
bir
d,youar enotgoingany where,gotit
.Iam
neverlett
ingy ougo,sost opthinkingabout
fi
ndinganot herbl
oodyapar t
ment .Whethermy
fat
herlikesy ouornot,youar emywi f
eandy ou
wil
lstaywi t
hmef orev
er,"henear lyshout
ed.
"
But
—Buty
ourf
ather
—"
"Saythatonemoreti
meandI'
llf
uckyourmout
h
sohard,you'
ll
loset
heabil
i
tyt
ospeak,"he
threat
enedwithnohi
ntofj
est
.
Igul
pedbutnoddedr
eluct
ant
ly.Hekeepst
ell
i
ng
met hatnomat terwhathappenedhewoul d
nev erleaveme, butIjustcouldn'
tbeli
eveit.
Whywoul dheleavehisf amil
yforme, whenhe
coul dn'
tev enf
ireHelgaf orme?Iunder st
ood
thatmydemandwasi rrati
onal,
butwhenhe
didn'tfir
eherforme, whywoul dbeleavehis
father?
"Youhavenothi
ngtoworr
yabout.Youar
emine,
andIprot
ectwhat'
smine.
"Hekissedmelong
andhard,f
orci
ngmetotrusthi
m.
"
Whatt i
mewi
llt
heycome?
"Iaskedaf
terhe
r
eleasedmyl
i
psandIwasall
owedtobreat
he.
"
Inanhour
.Br
entonhadameet i
ng,
ther
efor
e
t
hey'
l
lbeanhourlat
e,"hei
nfor
medme.
"Good.
"Icl
ampedahandov
ermyhand."
Sor
ry,
I
didnotmeant
hat.
"
Hechuckl
ed."
It
'sashameyou'r
epregnant
,I
wi
shIcoulddr
ugy out
ohel
py ourel
ax."
"
I'
m nott
hatwor
ri
ed,
"Idef
ended,
mycheeks
heat
ingup.
"Ohno,ofcoursenot ,
youjustkeeptouching
yourneckandmi ssingthepresenceofyour
brokenneckl
acef ornoreasonatall.
"Icould
sensethesarcasm inhiswords.
"Well
Imi ssmyneckl ace.Ihadi
tforyears,y
ou
know,thatdoesn'tmeanI '
m wor
ried,
"Ili
ed.Idi
d
missmyneckl ace,butIwasmor eworried
abouthisfamil
y.
Hecamecl osertomeandbenthi sheadunt
il
hisli
psbrushedt heshellofmyear ."
Ipr
omise
you,l
itt
lefair
y ,
you'
ll
forgetthatneckl
acever
y
soon,"hewhi sper
ed,beforeplaci
ngasoftki
ss
belowmyear .
"
Easi
ersai
dthandone,
"Ist
ated.
"Tr
ustme,i
t'
ll
happensoonert
hany
out
hink,
"he
sai
dconfi
dentl
y.
Irol
l
edmyey es."
Whyareyouhereany
way
s,
shouldn'
tyoubeinthel
i
vingroom."
"I
'
m heretokeepaneyeony ou;
makesur
eyou
don'
thurtyour
sel
f,
"herepl
i
ed

"
I'
m notachi
ld,Chri
s.Icanhandleaf
ireanda
f
ewsharptools,
"Isai
d,annoyancedr
ippi
ng
f
rom mywords.
"Yes,I
'm sureyoucan.Butr ightnow, youar e
acti
ngl i
keachi l
dwho' saboutt otakeherf irst
exam, soforgivemei fI'
m notentirelyconf ident
i
ny ourabili
ti
esr i
ghtnow."WhenIshothi ma
deadlyglare,heonlywinkedatme, andt hat
bloodywinkdi dsomet hi
ngfunnyt omyi nsides.
Godhel pme, hewasnotmaki ngiteasyf orme;
everyt
hinghedi donlymademef all deeperi n
l
ov ewithhim.Hehadmyhear ti
nhi shandsand
heknewhowt omanipulateittohisadv antage.
"
Getoutoft
heki
tchen,
"Ior
der
ed.
Hechuckl
edcausi
ngmet oscowlathi
m."It
's
cut
ehowy out
hinkyoucanordermearound.
"
"
Out
!"Isai
dmor
efi
rml
y.
"I
nsteadoft ell
ingmewhatt odo,whydon'tyou
checkont her i
ce,Idon'tt
hinktheyshouldbe
burni
ngl i
ket hat.
"Itur
nedjustinti
met oturnoff
thestove,sav i
ngmy sel
ffrom atotaldi
saster
.
"See,thi
siswhyyoushoul
dnotbeher
e.Look
whathappenedbecauseofyou.
"It
ookthepot
ofriceofft
hestove.
"You'r
ebl
ami ngmefort
his,
ser
iousl
y?!
"he
exclai
med,causi
ngmetogiggl
eoutloud.
"
Yes.
"Igi
ggl
ed.
"Fi
nal
ly,
youl
aughed,
IthoughtI
'
dneverbeabl
e
toputasmil
eonyourface,
"hesai
d,r
eli
efand
aff
ecti
onshi
ningi
nhiseyes.
Iblushedathiswords."
I'
m sor
ry,
"Imurmur
ed,
feeli
ngguil
tyaboutworr
yingmyhusband.
"
Whyar
eyouapol
ogi
zi
ng?
"Hequest
ioned.
"
BecauseIwor
ryy
oual
ot.Youdosomuchf
or
meandIcan'
tev
enf
acey
ourf
ami
l
y,"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Hey,youranxi
etyovermeet i
ngmyf amilyi
s
j
ustifi
ed,dadcanbepr et
tyi nti
midati
ng.AndifI
doal otofthi
ngsforyou,y oudoal otofthi
ngs
forme, t
oo.Youhavenot hingt oapologi
zefor
,
l
itt
lepeach."Hetookmyhandsi nhisandfora
whileneit
herofussaidany t
hing,t
ooabsorbed
i
nt hewar mthofoneanot her.
Ourpr
ivat
emomentwasi nt
err
uptedbyHel
ga.
"
Mr.Palmer,yourf
atherandbrother
sar
ehere,
t
heyareintheli
vi
ngroom,"sheinfor
medus.
I
mmedi at
ely
,myheartresumeditsthumping.
ThePal merswerehere,Iwasgoi
ngt obe
j
udged.Somebodyki l
l me.MaybeIcould
pret
endt obesick,
thatwayIwouldn'
thaveto
facethem.
"
We'l
lbether
e,"Chri
ssaid,
dismi
ssingher.
Hel
ganoddedthenturnedandwalkedoutof
t
hekit
chen,l
eavingmeandChr i
salone.
"
Youshouldgo,I
'
llf
ini
shupov
erher
eandt
hen
j
oiny
ou."It
oldhi
m.
"Ohno,you'
renotgett
ingoutofthis.Youare
goingtocomewi t
hme, andwe'l
lletthemaids
fi
nishup.
"Withoutwait
ingformer esponse,
he
tookmyhandandl edmeoutoft heki t
chen.
"
But
,but
,thechi
cken—"
"Thechi
ckencanbehandledbythemaids,t
hey
arenott
hatbadatcooki
ng,li
tt
lepeach,
"Chri
s
said.
"Ihaveaspeci
alwayofcutt
ingt
hechicken."I
knewmyexcusewasr i
dicul
ous,butIwantedto
avoidMr.Pal
merasmuchaspossi bl
e.
"I
'm suremydadandbr otherswoul dn'tcar
eif
thechickeniscutinanor dinarystyl
e."BeforeI
couldsayany t
hing,Chri
sandIent eredtheli
ving
room, whereMr.Pal meralongwi thKeiranand
Brentonweresitti
ng.Allt
hr eeofthem wer e
dressedformerly,onewoul dthinktheycamet o
abanquetandnotaf
ami
l
ydi
nner
.
"
Hell
odad,
nicetoseey
ou,
"Chr
issai
dashe
wentt
ohughisdad.
"I
t'
sgoodtoseeyou,
too,son,howar
eyou?
"Mr
.
Palmersmi
ledaf
fect
ionat
elyathi
m
Notwantingtoactli
keanidi
ot,
Iforcedmysel
f
togogreetMr.Palmer."
Goodevening,Mr
.
Pal
mer"Isaid,f
orci
ngmy sel
ftosoundnormal
.
"
Ali
ce,
how'
sthebaby
?"Mr
.Pal
meraskedme.
Ni
cetomeetyout
oo,
Mr.Pal
mer
,I'
mfi
ne,
t
hanksf
oraski
ng!
"
Thebabyi
sdoi
nggreat,
we'l
lmeethi
mina
l
esst
hanfi
vemont
hs,"Chri
sstat
ed.
"Litt
lemushroom,i
t'snicetoseey ouagain.I
didn'tthi
nkI
'dmissy ousomuch. "Keiran
wr appedmei nabrotherl
yhug,maki ngmef eel
bet t
er.Hehadnoidea, howmuchhi shug
meantt ome.Apar
tfr om Chr
is,
Keiranwast he
onl
yPal
merwhodi
dn'
tmakemef
eel
li
kean
out
cast
.
"
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
"IaskedKei
ran.
"I
'
vebeenbusywit
hwor
k..
.andot
her
..
.t
hings,
"
heresponded.
Inoddedthentur
nedtoseeBrent
on."
Hel
l
o
Brent
on,it
'sni
cetoseeyou.
"Ihel
doutmyhand
forhi
mt oshake.
Brentongavemeanodofacknowledgement
.
"Al
ice,youl
ookgood.
"Butdi
dn'
tshakemyhand.
Wehadjustf
ini
shedwit
hthepleasentr
ieswhen
Hel
gacame."Mr.Pal
mer,di
nnerisready,
"she
sai
d.
"
All
right
,Hel
ga,
we'
l
lbet
her
e,"Chr
isr
esponded.
"Let
'sgoeatbef
oret hefoodgetscol
d,Idon'
t
knowaboutyouguy s,butIam st
arvi
ng."
Everyonemurmuredinagreementbefore
makingthei
rwayt othedini
ngtabl
e.I,f
orone,
want
edtohi
deinmybedroom f
orther
estof
t
heeveni
ngbutIcoul
dn'
tdot
hattoChri
s.
"WhathasHelgacookedtonight?
"Mr.Palmer
asked,
takingaseatattheheadofthetabl
e,t
he
seatwhichChri
susuall
yoccupied.
"Act
uall
ydad,Al
icedi
dallt
hecooki
ngtoday.
Sheisreal
l
ygreatatcooki
ng,
"Chr
ispr
aisedme,
causi
ngmet oblush.
"Al
lri
ght!Goodjob,l
i
ttl
emushr oom,Ialways
knewy ouwereaspecialone.
"Iblusheddeeper
atKei
ran'swords.
Mr .Maslowfrowned."
Ali
cecooked?Butwhat
aboutHel ga,
hertal
enti
ncooki
ngr i
val
sthatof
professi
onalchef
s,"hesai
d.
"Iassureyou,f
ather,Ali
ceisamuchbet t
er
cook."Justashef i
nishedspeaking,
thedoor
openedandt hemai dsbroughtinthedi
shes,
whichtheyplacedont hedini
ngt abl
ebefor
e
departi
ng.
"
Here.
"Chr
ispassedtheshr
impstohi
sfat
her
.
"
Youshoul
dbet heonetotr
ythi
sfi
rst
."
Mr.Palmertookaf ewshri
mps,di
ppedonei n
thesauce,andtookabiteoutofi
t.Iswear
,my
heartdidnotdarebeatasIsawhismouth
workingashechewedt heshri
mp.Andwhenhe
swallowed,myey esf
oll
owedthedecentofthe
chewedshr i
mpasi tmadeitswaydownhis
thr
oat ,
hisAdam'sapplebobbi
ngsli
ghtl
y.
"
It
'sgood,i
sn'
tit
.Mywi f
ehasaspecial
tal
ent,
"
Chri
sstat
ed,pr
idedr
ippingf
rom hi
swords.
"
Ifyou'r
edonebraggi
ngaboutyourwi
fe,can
youpleasepassmetheshri
mps,"Kei
ran
whined.Chr
ischuckl
edbutpassedhi
mt het
ray
.
Mr.Palmer,however,didnotcomment .He
si
mpl ywentabouteatingtheshri
mps, not
sayi
ngwhet herheli
kedi torhat
edit.And
becauseofhim, myhear twasafrai
dtoresume
i
tsbeating,
andImi ssedmyneckl acemor e
t
hanev
er.
"
So,whyt
hesuddendi
nner
?"Mr
.Pal
merasked
Chr
is.
Chri
sclaspedmyhandundert hetabl
easa
smil
eli
tuphi shandsomeface."
Actual
ly,
Ali
ce
andIhaveacoupleofthi
ngswewantt ot
ell
you
al
l.
"
"
Oh?Whati
sit
?"Mr
.Pal
merl
ookedi
ntr
igued.
Don'
tdoi
t,Chr
is.Pl
easedon'
t.
"Well
,asyouallknow,Al
iceandIweremarr
ied
underacontract
.But,
now, Ihav
eter
minat
ed
thecontr
act
,"heannounced.
Theshri
mpdr oppedfr
om Mr.Pal
mer'shandas
hi
seyeshardenedinobvi
ousanger."
What?!
Youter
minatedthecontr
act
!"Hi
svoicerose,
myheartfr
oze.
"
Yes.Ireal
i
zedIwantAli
cetobemywife
f
orever
,andsoIhadthecontr
actt
ermi
nated.I
don'
tneedany
oneel
seaslongasIhav
eAl
i
ce.
"
Chri
sgavemyhandasof
tsqueeze.
Mr.Palmerstoodup."Thisi
snotaccept
abl
e.
She."Hepoi
ntedatme." I
snotgoingtobea
partoft
hisfamil
y,If
orbidit
!"
"
Ali
ceismywife,dad,andI
'
m nev
ergoi
ngt
o
l
eaveher
,"Chr
isstat
ed.
"Thehelly
ou'r
enot!Youaremysonandy ouar
e
notgoingtodefyme.Sheisnotgoingt
obea
partofthi
sfamil
y,under
stood?
!"Bynow,Mr
Palmerwasshouting.
Chrisstoodup, pul
li
ngmealongwithhi
m."Iam
yourson, butI'
m notgoi
ngtol
eaveAli
ce.
"Chri
s
l
ockedhi sey eswithhi
sfat
her
,whil
eKeir
anand
Brentonsatsi l
entl
y,wat
chi
ngtheshow.
"Youhavetoleaveher.Sheisnothi
ngbuta
carr
ierofyourbaby.Thecontracti
sonlyfora
year
.Youdeser vebett
er,Chri
s!"Mr.Pal
merdid
notstopshouti
ng.Hiswor dshadtearsburni
ng
myey
es,
andIwi
shedIcoul
drunaway
.
"Stopi t
!Youdonotgett odisr
espectmywi f
ein
frontofme.Sheisnotj ustthemotherofmy
baby ,sheismywife,t
oo!"Chrisr
aisedhisvoi
ce,
hishandsqueezingmi ne,butIdi
dnotdar e
protest.I'
dbehereformyhusband, Iwould
nev erturnmybackonhi m.
"Sheisnoty ourwi fe,
andshe'l
lneverbe!Sheis
nothingbuttrash, bor
nandr ai
sedinthebloody
slums.Womenl ikeherar eonl
ygoodf or
entertai
nment ,
youdeser veawomanwi th
statusandclass, notsomeonewhoi sfi
ttobe
yourmai d,
ev enHel gaisbett
erthanher!
"At ear
fell
butIquicklywi peditawaybeforeanyone
couldsee.
"That'
senough!"Keir
anandChrissai
dinunison.
IsawKeiranstandingup,st
ari
ngdaggersathis
father
.
"
Youdonotgett
oinsul
theri
nthatway
,"Kei
rsn
st
ated.
Mr.Pal
merignoredhim."Idon'tunder
standwhy
you'
ret
alki
ngli
ket hi
s,Chri
s,butletmetell
you
t
hatyouaremaki ngahugemi stake,
"hesaid.
"
It
'snotamist
ake,
dad.Ilov
eher
,"Chr
is
r
esponded,
hiswor
dsdrippi
ngwi
thhonest
y.
Igaspedathear
ingthi s.Chrisl
ovedme?He
sai
dlovedme.How?When?Why ?Didhemean
i
t,orwashejustsayingal lthi
s?No,no,he
meantit,
Icoul
df eelthet r
uthinthosewords.
Butwhydidn'
thet el
lmet hatbefor
e?
I
tlookedasi fhi
swor dshadshockedever
yone,
i
ncludingme.Aheav ysil
encedescendedupon
t
hedi ningr
oom; buti
twasquicklyshat
ter
edby
Mr.Palmerlaughing.
"Loveher?!Son,youdon'tknowt hef
irstthi
ng
aboutlove.Andletmet ell
you,youdon'tfall
in
l
ov ewithatrashygir
l.Youfalli
nlovewi t
h
someoneofy ourst
andards,yourcal
iber,not
someonewhoi snotevenworththedir
tunder
yourf
eet."Mr .Palmerl
ookedatChri
sasifhe
wasat eny earoldboyandnotagrownman
whowasf ull
ycapableofmaki
nghisown
deci
si
ons.
"
Shutup!
"Chr
isandKei
ranshout
ed,
sur
pri
sing
meonceagai
n.
"
Dad,Isweari
fyousayonemor
ewor
dagai
nst
Al
ice—"
"You'l
lwhat,huhKeiran? "Mr .Palmerthen
l
ookedatme, r
eal
lylookedatme." Ican't
beli
evewhataconni v ingbitchy oureal
lyare.
Notonl ydi
dy outrapmyel destsoni nmarriage,
youhav ealsousedy ourchar msonmysecond
son.Tellme, doyouf uckKei ranbydayand
Chrisbynight?"
Hiswordssli
cedmyheart,andlashedatmy
sel
frespect
.Igaspedandcov er
edmymouth
wit
hmyhand, notcari
ngifevery
bodysawmy
tear
s.Icoul
dn'tbeli
evehewouldaccusemel
i
ke
thi
s.Howcouldhet hink,
thatIwoul
ddo
somethingl
ikethis.
I
fChr
isbel
i
evedhi
m..
.
Thesuddensoundofbonescr acking
penetratedthet hi
ckfogofdi sbel i
efinmymi nd
andbr oughtmebackt oreali
ty .IsawKei r
an
toweringovert henowf al
lenbodyofMr .Pal
mer,
whowasspr awl edonthef l
oor ,holdinghi
s
bleedingnose.IsawKei rangl aringathisfat
her,
heey esblazing.Brent
onst oodbehi ndChri
s,hi
s
facepale.
"
Howdar
eyoudi
srespecther
.Howf
ucki
ngdar
e
y
ou?
!"
Mr .Pal
mereyedChr is,whostoodinfrontofme
asst i
ll
asastatue,blockingmefrom view.
"LeaveherChri
s,thi
si sthelastt
imeI'
mt el
l
ing
you,"hesai
d,hi
sv oicesoundedst r
ange.
"
No,
"Chr
issai
dfi
rml
y.
"Fine.Thenleavethi
scastle.I
fy oudon'tdiv
orce
her ,
y oudonotgettobeapar tofthi
sfami l
y.I
willnothavey outai
nttheroyalblood.Sowhat
willitbe,Chri
s,doyouchoosey ourf
ami l
y,your
blood, orwil
lyouchoosethistrashywifeof
your s?"
Thiswasit,
themomentoft r
uth.Eit
herChris
wouldstaytr
uetohiswordsandchooseme, or
he'
ddot heri
ghtt
hingandchoosehi sfamil
y.If
hechosehisfamil
yoverme,Iwould
underst
andandIwouldn'
tholditagainsthi
m.
"IchooseAl
ice.I'
l
lal
wayschooseAli
ce,"he
stated,
anditfel
tasifhi
swordswerethefi
nal
nailint
hecoffi
n.Iwastooshockedt
oev en
gasp.
"Fi
ne,Iwantyoutoleavethecastl
ebef or
e
midnight
,ot
herwiseIwil
lhavey outhr
ownout .I
don'tcar
ewherey ougo,howy ouli
ve,Idon'
t
everwantyoutocontactmeev eragain.Youare
nolongerapartofthi
sfamily
,getoutofhere,"
Mr
.Pal
merst
ated.
"I
nthatcase,Iwantt otel
lyousomet hingas
well
.Iam inlovewi t
hJenny,thegirlwhowor ks
atatoystore,andIplantomar ryherv er
ysoon.
Sothatmeans, I'
m nolongerapar tofthi
s
famil
yeit
her.I'
llgoandpackmybagsaswel l
,"
Keir
anstated,causingMr.Palmert oletoutan
animal
ist
icgrowl .
"I
'l
lbeleavi
ngnow, fat
her.ButbeforeIgo, I
wanttosaysomet hingtoyou.Allthistime,I
havespokent oyouwithrespect,butnot
anymor e,
sinceyou'
renotmyf atherany more."
Chrispausedtotakeadeepbr eath."Ijustwant
tosay,thi
sisthereasonwhyy oul ostLizzy,
thi
s
i
st hereasonwhyy oulostmum, andt hisisthe
reasonwhyy ou'
relosi
ngmeandKei r
anaswel l.
"Lovedoesnotseemoney .I
tdoesnotseea
person'
sphysical
beauty.Tr
ueloveonl ysees
thepurit
yofthesoulandthesinceri
tyofthe
heart,
andthat'
swhy,fat
her,you'
llneverknow
whattr
ueloveis,becauseyouseemoneyand
youseest
atus,youdon'tseewhatyoushoul
d.
Youarebl
ind,f
ather,andI'
m notgoi
ngtowaste
mytimemakingy ouseewhaty ouobvi
ousl
y
don'
twantto.
"Andyousayt hatAli
ceisgoingtotai
ntthe
royal
blood?!You'r
ewr ong!I
'mtaki
ngheraway
becauseIdon'twantthisfamil
y'
sbloodtotai
nt
herormyson.Goodby eBr i
anPalmer.
"
Turningar
ound,Hekissedmyf or
eheadbef
ore
taki
ngmyhandi naf i
rm gr
ipandleadi
ngme
outofthedini
ngroom.Awayf rom t
hepal
mers,
hisfamil
y.Awayfrom hi
shome.
TheCEO
.
<3I
nser
t34<3
.
.
.

"
Chri
sst op.Pl
ease,
sitdownandthi
nkfora
moment .Youcan'
tj
ustleav
eyourfat
herl
ike
t
his,
"Isaidanxi
ousl
y.
"Thereisnothingt
othi
nkabout,l
it
tl
edove,
we'releavi
ng.GogetNicoandwe'rel
eaving,
"he
stat
ed, t
hrowinghi
sclothesi
nthesuit
case.
"
Chr
is,
hei
syourf
ami
l
y."It
ri
edonceagai
n.
Chrisletoutabit
terl
augh."Fir
stofall
,famil
y
doesn'tdowhathedi d.Second,af
terwhathe
said,Iam notgoi
ngt ostaywit
hhim evenifhe
fuckingbeggedme. "
"
But
—"
"
No!Iam notgoingtostaywithhi
m,andt hat
's
f
inal
,Ali
ce!Youknow,Iwantedtodot hi
sfora
l
ongtime.Hewast hereasonmysisterhadto
r
unaway ,andhethi
nksthatiti
sperf
ectlyokay
totreatpeoplel
ikeshit
,wellheiswrong.My
sist
erwasonet hing,buthehasnor i
ghtto
standinfrontofmeandi nsultt
hewomanIl ov
e,
andexpectmet obeokaywi thi
t!"Heshout
ed,
breathi
ngheav i
l
y .
I
nresponse,It
ookhishandsi nmine,befor
e
for
cinghimtositdown.Hesatdownwi t
hahuf f
,
beforepul
l
ingmeonhi slap.Iwantedtoplace
myheadonhi sshoulder,
buthecapturedmy
l
ipsinaheatedkissbefor
eIgotthechance.
Theki sswast ender ,yetf ullofunconv eyed
emot ions.Hepour edhisl ov e,hi
sgui lt
,andhi s
strengthintot hatki ss,givingmenochoi cebut
toacceptwhat everhegav eme.Af t
eraf ew
seconds, Ifeltthef ami l
iarl ackofai r
.Itriedto
pushhi m away ,buthehadnoi ntentionof
rel
easi ngmyl ips, andcont inuedt hedancewi th
myt ongue.I twasonl ywhenIwasst art
ingt o
getlightheadeddi dhebr okeup, onl ytopl ace
hisforeheadagai nstmi ne, breat
hingdeepl y.
"
Ilov
eyou.
"Hekissedme."Il
oveyousomuch.
"
Anot
herki
ss."
Iwon'tev
erl
eaveyou.
"
"
Iloveyoutoo.Cal
m down, Chr
is.
"Ir
anmy
f
ingersthr
oughhishair
,tr
yingt
ocomf or
thi
m
t
hebestwayIcoul d.
"Li
tt
lepeach,Iam goi
ngtoaskyouaquest
ion
andIwanty outoanswerhonest
ly,
okay
?"
Igav
ehim apuzzl
edlookbef
orenoddi
ng."
Of
cour
se.Askmeanything.
"
"
Didyoumar
rymeformymoney
?"Heasked,
l
ooki
ngmedeadi
ntheeyes.
Iswall
owedhard.HowwasIgoi ngtoanswer
that
.Itwast
ruethatImarr
iedChri
sformoney,
butnowIlov
ehi m,howcouldItel
lhi
mt hat
whenhewant edanhonestanswerfr
om me.
"
Wh—Whyar
eyouaski
ngmet
hat
?"Iquer
ied.
"
Answermyquest
ion,
Ali
ce,
"hecommanded.
Ibl
i
nked,
try
ingt
otel
lhi
mthr
oughmyey
esnot
t
oaskmet
hat
."Chr
is.
..
"
Hecuppedmycheek."
Answerme,
"heor
der
ed
sof
tl
y.
"
You'
ll
hateme.
"Ibi
tmyl
i
p,asgui
l
twei
ghedon
myheart
.
"
Answermyquest
ion,
"her
epeat
ed.
Takingadeepbr eath,Igavehi
mt hehonest
tr
uth."Alri
ght
,yes.Ididmarryyouformoney,
becauseIneededmoneyf ormybr ot
her
's
surger
y .Youknowt hat,
"Ianswer
ed.
Hedidn'
tsayanythingforaf ewseconds,
causi
ngmyhear ttosink.Great,
themomenthe
tol
dmehel ovesme, Ijustgavehimthereason
tohateme.ButIcouldn'tli
etohim,heasked
fort
hetrut
handIt oldhimt hat
.
"
Doy
oul
oveme?
"Heasked.
Inoddedmyheadr
apidl
y."
Yes.Idol
ove
you.
..
somuch,
"Ist
ated,
try
ingmybestt
o
conv
eymyf
eel
i
ngsi
nthosewor
ds.
"Soi
fIt
akeyoutoasmal
lhouse,
whi
chonly
hast
wobedroomsandbat
hroom,wi
l
lyousti
ll
l
oveme?"Heasked.
"Didyounothearme?Isai dIloveyou.You.Not
yourmoney .Imight'v
emar riedyouformoney
butIfel
l i
nlovewi t
hy ou.Evenifyoumakeme
l
iveont hestreet
s,itwon'tchangemyf eel
ings
foryou.Myl oveforyouwi l
lneverwaver,
"Isai
d
withconvict
ion.
Heki ssedmesweet l
y."Thati
sall
Iwantt o
hear.Nowbeagoodgi r
landgopackNi co'
s
thi
ngs,I'
ll
fini
shpacki
ngandt henwe'
l
lleave."
"Chri
s,ar
eyousur
eaboutthi
s?"Iaskedagai
n.I
didn'
twanthimt
oresentmelater
;blami
ngme
forsepar
ati
nghi
mf r
om hi
sfami l
y.
"Iam ahundr
edandfi
ft
ypercentsure,and
nothi
ngyoucandoorsayisgoingtochange
mymi nd.SogoandpackNico'
sthings,
otherwi
se,Nicowil
lhav
enochoi
cebutto
survi
vethenextfewdayswi
thnocl
othes,
the
choicei
sy ours.
"
Sighi
ngaudi bl
y,Iremovedmy selffrom hi
slap.
"Okay,butif
...
anyt
ime..
.youwantt oleaveme
andgobackt oyourfamily,
toy ourfat
her.
..
just
tel
lmeokay ?Iwon' tst
opy ou,alr
ight?
"Iwant ed
himtoknowt hatIwouldn'
tforcehimt ostay
withmei fhedidn'twantto.
"GoandpackNico'
sthi
ngs.
"Withthat,
hewent
backtohi
ssui
tcaseandquickl
ythrewhis
clot
hesi
n.
Clearlybeingdi smi
ssed, Il
eftmyr oom and
headedst r
aightforNico'
sr oom.Ient ered
withoutknocki ngandf oundNi cosit
tingont he
bedwi that hickbooki nhishands.Itriedtogive
hi
m ar eassuringsmil
ebutf ai
l
ed.Iwast oo
wor r
iedt ogivemybr otheranyassur ance.
"
Nico.Comeon,
packupal
lyourt
hings.Wear
e
l
eav
ing.
"It
oldhi
m.
Nicofr
ownedbef
orecl
osingthebook."
Leavi
ng?
Where?Why?Whathappened?Didyouand
Chri
shaveafi
ght
?"
"No,no.Nothi
nglikethat
.ChrisandIdidnot
haveaf i
ght.Wejusthavetoleav e,
now.So
pleasepackyourthings,
"Ir
eplied.
"
IsChri
scoming?
"Nicoenqui
red,gett
ingup
f
rom hi
sbedandheadingf
orhiscloset.
"Yes,he'
scomi ngwithusaswell.Pleasehur r
y,
Nico.Wouldyoul i
kemet ohelpyou? "Iasked,
eyeingNico,
ashet ookoutaduf fl
ebagandt he
restofhi
sclothesfrom t
hecloset.
"No,no,
it'
sfi
ne.Icanmanage.Havey
ou
packedyourcl
othes?"Ni
coasked.
"
Iam j
ustgoi
ngt
o,ar
eyousur
eyoudon'
tneed
myhel
p?"
"
Posi
ti
ve.Gopacky
ourt
hings.
"Ni
cot
oldme.
Noddingmyhead,Il
eftNi
co'
sroom andwent
backtomyown.AssoonasIent er
ed,myeyes
widenedwhenIsawmyclothesi
nhisChri
s'
s
hands.
"Whatareyoudoi
ng?
!"It
ri
edmybestnott
o
shr
iekinbewil
der
ment.
"I
'
m packi
ngy ourcl
othes, whatdoesitl
ookl
i
ke
I
'm doi
ng?"Heneatl
yf oldedthedressand
pl
acediti
nsidethesuitcase.
"Yes,
butwhy?Icanpackmyclot
hesbymy
sel
f.
Youdidn'
thav
etodoit,
"Isai
d.
"So?You'remywi f
e,notsomestranger.Ican
packy ourcl
othesifIwantto,
"heargued,
picki
ngupanot herdress.
"
Yes,butyoudidn'thav
eto."Ij
ustcoul
dn'
twrap
myheadar oundthefactt
hathewaspacking
mycl
ot hes.
"
Idi
dn'
thaveto,Iwantedto,l
i
ttl
efai
ry.Il
i
ke
t
aki
ngcareofyou."Andthenhewinked;that
winkthatdi
dsomet hingfunnytomyi nsi
des.
"Canyoupleasegetthetoil
etr
iesout
, I'
ve
packedeveryt
hingelse.HasNicofi
nished
packi
ng?"
"Isawhim packi ng.I'
llcheckonhi mi nawhil
e."
Iheadedf orthebat hroom, andgr abbedChri
s
things,
putti
ngt hem inasmal lblackbag,whil
eI
putmyt hingsinanev ensmal lergreenbag.
WhenIemer gedf rom thebat hroom, Isaw
Kei r
anstandi
ngi nt heroom.
"Arey
ousurey
ouwantt
odot
his?
"Heasked
hisbr
other
.
"
Arey
ou?
"Kei
ranshotback.
"
Yeah,
"answer
edChr
is.
"
Soam I
,
"repl
i
edKei
ran.
Chri
snoti
cingmest andi
ngthere,noddedfor
met ocomet ohi
m.Igav eKei
ranasmal lsmil
e,
whichheretur
ned,befor
estri
dingovertomy
husband,
whot ookthebagscont ai
ningour
toi
l
etri
esandplacedthem i
nsi
dethesui
tcase.
Then,Chr
isshutthesuit
caseandzi
ppeditshut
,
makingsuretolocki
t.
"Ar
ey our
eady
?"Chr
isaskedKei
ran,
who
nodded.
"Yes.Whydon'
tyougoandstartt
hecar
,I'
l
l
bri
ngthebagsdown,"Kei
ransai
d.
Chrisnoddedbef or
et ur
ningt ome."Goandsee
i
fNi cofi
nishedpacki ng,thencomedownt ot he
garage,
"hei nstruct
edbef oreexit
ingthe
bedroom.Kei ran,pi
ckedupt hesuit
caseonthe
bedandf oll
owedaf t
erChr i
s, l
eav
ingmealone.
Notwant i
ngtowast
eti
me,Iwentov
ertoNico's
room.Isighedi
nrel
i
efwhenIsawhi
m zipping
hisbags.Whenhesawme,Nicohel
duphi s
thumb.
"
I'
m done,
Ali
ce.Readyt
ogo?
"
Noddingmyhead,Iwentovert
opickoneof
Ni
co'sbagsbuthestoppedme."No.Youcan'
t
carrymybagsf orme.Notwheny ou'
re
pregnant.
"Ibl
ushedatheari
ngNicosayt hatI
waspr egnant
."Andbesi
des,you'
vecarri
edmy
bagsformeal lmyli
fe,l
etmecarrymyown
bagsnow.Icandoi t
."
Givi
ngmybr otherasmallsmi l
e,Iusher
edhim
outofhi
sbedr oom andbothofusmadeour
waytothegarage, myheartpicki
ngupspeed
asIwonderedwher eChri
spl annedtotakeus.
Werewegoi ngt ospendt
heni ghtinahotel
?Or
i
nhiscar?Howl ongwoul
di ttakeforhi
mt o
fi
ndajobnowt hathi
sfat
herhadcuthi m of
f?
Beforemymi ndcoul dfurt
hercomeupwi th
i
mpossi ble,anxiety-
tri
gger
ingquest i
ons,we
enteredthegar age.Chriswassi tt
ingint
he
dri
ver'sseatwhi l
eKei r
anwassi t
ti
ngintheback.
Nicojoggedov ert othecarandt hrewhisbags
i
nt hetrunkbef oreslammingi tshutandgetti
ng
i
nt hebackwi thKei r
an.Iquicklyfoll
owedand
satinthef r
ontpassengerseat .
Hegr abbedmyhandassoonasIclosedthe
door.Ilookedathi
mtoseehisey
esshini
ng
withaffecti
on."
Doyout
rustme,l
i
ttl
edove?"He
asked.
Inoddedwi
thoutt
hinki
ng."
Alway
s."Ismi
l
edat
hi
m.
"Good."Placingmyhandonhisthi
gh,het
urned
theignit
ionanddroveoutofthegar
ageand
awayf r
om t hePal
mercastl
e.
Forawhi l
e,noneofussaidanything,t
ool ostin
ourownt houghts.Iwasnotworri
edaboutme, I
waswor ri
edabouthi m.Wouldhebeabl et oli
ve
withouthisf
amily?Hewassousedt other ich
l
ife,wouldhebeabl etol
iv
einat wobedr oom
apartment?Howl ongunti
lhecrackedandl eft
me?Whatwoul dIdowhenhewoul dfi
nally
l
eav eme?Woul dIbeabletosurvive?WasI
strongenoughwi t
houtmyhusband' sl
ove?
"
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
"Ij
olt
edbackt
oreal
i
ty
uponhear
ingNi
co'
squest
ion.
"Wearegoingsomewher
efaraway
,buddy
,"
Kei
ranrepl
i
ed.
"
Why
?"Heenqui
red.
"Becauseit
'sbet
tert
hisway
,"Kei
ransai
d
crypt
ical
ly
.
"Ser
iouslyKeir
an,y
ou'v
egott
ogi
vemeapr
oper
answer,"Nicodemanded.
Chrischuckl
ed."
You'
l
lgety
ouranswer
ssoon,
Nico."
"Ar
ewegoi ngt
oahot
el?
"Ni
cochangedhi
s
approach.
"
No,
wear
enot
,"Kei
rananswer
edhi
m.
"
Thenwher
ear
ewegoi
ngt
osl
eep?
"Hequer
ied.
"
Nico.Keepqui
et,
don'
tbothert
hem.We'
l
lsl
eep
i
nthecarifwehavet
o,"Ichi
ded.
"
Lit
tl
emushr
oom,
whatki
ndofmonst
ersdoy
ou
thi
nkwear e?Youreal
l
ythi
nkChri
sisgoingt
o
l
etyousleepinthecar
?"Kei
ranst
ated,
soundi
ngaf f
ront
ed.
"
Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ngt
osl
eep,
then?
"
"
Nico.
"It
urnedtogiv
ehim ast
ernglar
e,
warni
nghi
mt ostopaski
ngquest
ion.
"
Sor
ry,
"Ni
cosai
dsheepi
shl
y.
"
Lit
tl
eone,cal
m down.Ni
co,
y oucanaskas
manyquesti
onsasyouwant
,"Chri
ssaid.
"Sheneedssl
eep,
"Kei
ranst
ated.Ir
oll
edmy
eyes.
"
Iknow,
it'
sbeenal
ongdayforher.She'
llsl
eep
t
hemomentwegetther
e,"Chr
isresponded.
"It
hinksheshoul
dsl
eepnow,
"Kei
ran
comment ed.
"
Iwanthert
obecomf
ort
abl
e,
"Chr
isst
ated.
"
Hell
o!I
'
mr ighthere.
"Seriousl
y,whywer
ethey
t
alki
ngl
ikeIwasi nvi
sibl
e.
Chr
isandKei
ranchuckl
edbefor
eChrisr
aised
myhand,whi
chwassi t
ti
ngonhisthi
gh,
and
pl
acedasoft
,li
nger
ingkissoni
t.
"
I'
m sosorr
y,Al
ice,
butIhavetoask.Wher
ear
e
wegoing?
"Nicoquest
ioned.
"Chr
ishasaplacewher ewewi l
ll
ivefr
om now
on.Butthatpl
aceisfaraway,
sowear egoing
tospendthenightsomewhereelse,and
tomorr
owwe' l
lgotoChr i
s'
splace,
"Keiran
answered.
Waitwhat?Chrishadaplaceandhenev ertol
d
meabouti t
.Wasi tasecr
etpl
aceorwasi ta
secr
etjustforme?Andwhydi dn'thetel
l me
aboutthi
splaceofhis?Ihadgivenhim plenty
ofchancestotell
me.
"
Andwherearewegoi
ngt
ospendt
heni
ght
?"
Ni
coasked.
"
You'l
lknowsoon,we'r
ealmostt
her
e.Justt
en
moreminutes,
"Kei
ransai
d.
Now,evenIwascur
ious.Exactl
ywher ewer
ewe
goi
ng?DidhehaveafriendIdi
dn'tknowof?
Wasitamotelwher
ehewast aki
ngus?Why
wer
ethesemensocr yptic?
"
Ist
hiscary
our
s?"Iasked.
"
Yes,
iti
s,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"
Imean,
didy
our
..
."
"Noli
tt
lebi
rd,myf
atherdi
dn'
tgiv
emet hi
scar
.I
boughti
twithmyownmoney ,
"hesai
d.
"Youhaveyourownmoney?!"Isl
appedahand
overmymout hassoonasthewor dsl
eftmy
l
ips."
I'
m sor
ry,Idi
dn'
tmeanitli
kethat
."
Hechuckled,shakinghishead." It
'sallr
ight,
l
it
tl
efairy
.Andy es,Ihavemyownmoney ,
pl
entyofit.Idon'tknowwhaty outhink,but
Kei
ranandIhav eourownsepar atebusinesses.
Wemi ghtber unningthefami l
ybusiness, but
wealsohav eourownbusi ness.I'
m nota
mooch,li
ttl
eone. "
"I
'm sor
ry.
"Mycheeksheatedi
n
embar r
assmentov
erjudgi
ngmyhusbandl
i
ke
that
.
"
Don'
tbe.Youdi
dn'
tknow.
"
"
Taket
hel
eftt
urn,
"Kei
rani
nst
ruct
ed.
"Iknowwherei
tis,
"Chr
issnapped,
befor
e
taki
ngasharplef
tandcomingtoastopafew
secondsl
ater
.
"Wow,whoseplaceist
his?"Iasked,asIgazed
att
hegorgeousvil
last
andingproudlybefor
e
me.Ithadavi
ctori
anarchit
ectur
e,withfl
owers
sur
roundi
ngit
.Itwasat r
ulybeauti
fulst
ruct
ure.
"Let'
sgo."Keir
anopenedthedoorandgotout ,
foll
owedbyChr is,
Nicoandme.Iwant edto
stret
chli
keacatbutr ef
rai
nedmy sel
f.ButIwas
unabletosuppresstheyawnthathadChris
comi ngovertomeandwr appi
nganar m around
myshoul ders.
"
It
'sal
lri
ght
,we'
reher
e.You'
l
lsl
eeponceweget
i
nsi
de,
"Chr
issai
dsof
tl
y,ki
ssi
ngmyf
orehead.
Inoddedandallowedhimt ol
eadmetothe
fr
ontdoor.Keir
anrangthebellaf
ewti
mes
befor
esteppingback.Ifel
tsl
i
ghtl
ygui
l
ty,
becausesomeone'ssleepwasrui
nedbecause
ofus.
"
Shemustbesl
eepi
ng,
"Chr
isst
ated.
"
Iknow,
"Kei
ranagr
eed.
"
Whosepl
acei
sthi
s?"Iasked.
"Someonewhoyoushould'v
emetal
ongt
ime
ago,l
i
ttl
epeach.
"Chr
istoldme.
BeforeIcoul daskwho, t
hedooropenedanda
womanst eppedout .Justonel ookatthe
womant oldmeal lIwant edtoknow.AndI
couldn'
tbelievemyey es.IthoughtIwould
nevergetachancet omeether .Buthereshe
was, st
andingbef oremei nasilkr
obeand
bedroom slippers.
El
i
zabet
hPal
mer
.
<3I
nser
t35<3
.
.
.

Shelookedexactlyli
keshedidintheport
raitup
ontheseventhfloor.Thesameeyes,thesame
hai
rcolor,
Icouldn'tbel
iev
ethatIwaslookingat
Chri
s'ssi
ster
.ButIwasgl adthi
sdayhadcome,
Ial
way swantedt omeether,ev
ersinceChris
tol
dmeabouther .
"Chri
s,howareyou?"El
izabethcameoverand
threwherar
msar oundChr i
s,whocoul
dn'
t
properl
yhugherbackbecausehehadanar m
aroundmyshoulders.
"I
'
m good,Li
z,howarey
ou?"Heresponded,
holdi
nghercl
ose.I
twasappar
entthathehad
mi
ssedheral
ot.
"Youknow,Chri
sisnoty
ouronl
ybr
otherher
e,"
Keir
angrumbled.
El
izabet
hremovedhersel
ffr
om Chr
isand
huggedKeir
an."Imi
ssedyousomuch,Kei
ran,
"
El
izabet
hsaid.
"
Dit
tosi
s,
"Kei
ranst
ated.
AssoonasEl i
zabet handKeiranst opped
hugging, El
izabethey edmyl i
ttl
ebr other.She
gavehi m aonceov erbeforeherey esl
andedon
me.Whenshegav emeaonceov er,If
eltli
keI
wasbei ngj udged,becauseEl i
zabet hwas
i
mpor tanttoChr i
s,andifshedi dn'tapproveof
me...Thet houghtwassohor r
ifi
ct hatI
i
mmei datel
ydi scardedit,andinsteadt r
iedmy
besttor emai nunaffectedbyhergaze.
ThankGodt hatKeir
anbrokethesil
ence."
Are
youjustgoi
ngt okeepusstandi
nginthecoldor
areyougoingtoletusin?
"Hewhi ned.Iey
edhis
pi
nkcheeksandsmi
l
ed,
Kei
ranwascol
d.
"Sor
ry,mybad.Pl
easecomeinsi
de.
"El
i
zabeth
usheredal
lofusi
nside,
bef
orecl
osi
ngthedoor.
Chrisletgoofmeandwentov ert
oElizabeth.
Hewhi sper edsomet hingi
nherear,causingher
tolookatmebef oreshenoddedandpoi nted
towardst hest ai
rcase.hegaveherasmi le
beforestridingov ert
ome.
"Comeon,
li
tt
ledov
e,l
et'
sgety
out
obed,
"he
saidt
ome.
"
No,thatwoul
dber ude.Wej
ustgother
e,what
wi
ll
yoursist
erthi
nk?"
"Mysi st
erthinksnothing,andyou'r
enotbei ng
rude.You'retiredandI'm notgoi
ngtost and
thereandwat chyouf i
ghti
ngwi t
hsleep.Let'
s
go."Firmlytakingahol dofmyhand, heledme
upt hestair
sandal lthewayt otheendoft he
hall
way .Heopenedt hel astdooronthel ef
tand
tuggedmei nside.
Ieyedt hebeautifulroom withint
erest.Thet wo
colorsdomi nati
ngt her oom werewhi t
eandsea
green.Aki ngsizedbedwaspl acedagai none
wallwi t
hwhi t
esheet sandseagr eenpill
ows,
whileapl asmascr eenf acedthebed.Ashel f
containingvari
ouskni ckknackswassi tt
ing
belowt heplasmascr een.Aloveseatwas
placedinonecor nerwithalampnextt oit.The
seagr eencurtainswer epushedasi de,and
vari
ousf l
owerpot swer esit
ti
ngont hewi ndow
l
edge.Ther oom lookedcosy .
"
Comeon,i
nyougo.
"Chr
isgest
uredt
owar
ds
t
hebed,
causi
ngmetosi
ghbutdoashesai
d.
"Areyousureaboutt
his,
Chri
s.Imean,we'
re
notint
rudi
ngarewe?"Ihadnoideawhat
Eli
zabetht
houghtofme,andtheworrywas
eati
ngatmyi nsi
des.
Heper
chedonthebednex tt
ome.Hest roked
myhai
rbefor
espeaki
ng."Lit
tl
epeach,don'
t
wor
ryyour
sel
fovert
ri
vial
mat ter
s.Tr
ustme,
we'r
enoti
ntr
uding.Don'
tstressyour
sel
f,i
t'
snot
goodfort
hebaby.Closeyoureyesandgoto
sl
eep."
"
Arey
ougoi
ngbackdown?
"Iasked.
"Yeah.Ihavetotel
lLi
zzywhathappened.But
don'tworry
,I'
l
lcomebacktoyouassoonas
possibl
e."Hesmi l
edatme.
"
Promi
se?
"
"Ipromise,l
i
ttl
efair
y.I
'
llalwayscomebackt o
you."Ki
ssingmycheekt henmyf or
ehead, He
stoodup."Goodnight,l
i
ttl
eone.Sweet
dreams."Givi
ngmeanot herlovi
ngsmile,he
strodeoutoftheroom,leavi
ngmet ofall
ina
deep,peacefulsl
eep.
IwokeupwithChris'
swarmthcocooni ngme.I
bl
inkedafewtimestogetri
dofther esidual
sl
eep.It
ri
edslippi
ngoutofhisgraspbuthe
heldmeinavice-l
i
kegri
p,li
kehewasaf rai
dto
l
etmego.Itri
edt ogent
lypryhi
sar m offme,
butheonl
yti
ght
enedhi
sgr
iponmywai
st.
"Looksl
ikemylit
tl
ebir
disawake,
"he
mur mur
edsleepi
lybef
oreki
ssi
ngmyexposed
neck.
"
Yes,
Iam.Wouldyoul
etmego,
Ineedt
ouse
t
hebathr
oom.
"Itol
dhi
m.
"
No.Il
i
kehav
ingy
oucl
ose,
"her
epl
i
ed.
"Whatti
medi
dyoucomeback,
lastni
ght
?"I
asked.
"
Around2:
00am,
"heanswer
ed.
"Isee.CanIusethebat
hroom now?
"My
bladderwaskil
l
ingme.
"
Doy
ouhav
eto?
"Hequest
ioned.
"
I'
m car
ryi
ngy
ourbaby
,yesIhav
eto,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Ourbaby
,"hemutter
edbef
oreki
ssi
ngmy
cheekandfinal
l
yremovi
nghisar
m.
"
Thanky
ou!
"Iexcl
aimedbef
orej
umpi
ngoutof
bed."
Wher
eist
hebat
hroom?
"
"
Overther
e."Hepointedtoadoori
nthecor
ner
t
hatIdidnotnot
icelastni
ght
.
"Thanks,
"Ir
espondedanddashedi
nsi
det
he
bathroom.
OnceIf i
nishedrel
iev
ingmyself
,Iwashedmy
hands,ri
nsedmymout handwashedmyf ace
befor
eemer gi
ngfrom t
hebathr
oom.Chr i
swas
si
tti
ngup, hisbackagai
nstt
heheadboard.And
eventhoughhehadj ustwokenup,helooked
i
ncredibl
ysexy .
"
Arey
ougoingtochange?
"Heasked,
eyei
ngmy
r
umpl
eddressed.
"Yes.Wher eisthebag? "Il
ookedar ound,finall
y
spotti
ngthesui tcasenextt othenightstand.
"Nevermind,Ifoundi t.
"Ihurri
edov ertoit,and
afteracoupleofmi nutes,t
ookoutanewdr ess.
ThenIdashedbacki nsidethebathroom and
afteranothertwomi nutes,
emer ged.
"
I'
m goi
ngt
omakebr
eakf
ast
."It
oldhi
m.
"Youdon'
thav
etodot
hat
.Li
zzywi
l
lmakei
t,
"he
said.
"Areyoukiddi
ng?Lizzyshouldn'
tbot
herwit
h
this,
I'
ll
makebr eakf
ast.
"Withoutwai
tingf
orhi
s
response,
Ilef
ttheroom andskippeddownthe
stair
s.
WhenIreachedthef oyer,Ilookedaroundtr
ying
tospott
hekitchen.Isighedi nreli
efwhenIsaw
adoorontheleft.Hopingi twouldbethe
kit
chen,
Iwentov erandpushedt hedooropen.
AndwhenIsawt hesil
v erutensil
s,Isi
ghedi
n
rel
ief
.Fi
nal
lyIhadf oundt hekitchen.
NowIj
ustneedt
olookf
ort
hei
ngr
edi
ent
s.
IknewIhadnor i
ghttoventur
eint
osomeone' s
ki
t chenandactli
keIownedt hepl
ace, but
Eli
zabethhadhelpedussomuch; shegaveusa
placetosleep,t
heleastIcoul
ddowasr el
iev
e
herofbreakfastdut
y.Ididn'
twanttolook
ungr
atef
ul.
Openi
ngthefri
dge,
Itookoutaf eweggsanda
j
ugofmi l
k.AssoonasIplacedthei
temsonthe
count
er,
av oi
cehadmej umping.
"Whatareyoudoi
ngi nmykit
chen?"Sheasked.
Shewaswear i
ngjeansapret
tyfl
oralt
opwith
herhai
rtiedupi
napony t
ail
.
"
Uhh,
Iwasmaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
,"Ianswer
ed.
Shefrowned."
Why?You'r
emyguest
,Ishoul
d
betheonemakingbreakf
astf
ory
ou,
"she
st
ated.
"Youhaveal
readydonesomuchf orus.You
gaveusaplacetostay,Ijustwant
edtohelp
you,r
epayyouforyourkindness,
"Isai
d.
Eli
zabethcockedherheadtothesighed,
a
gestur
ewhi chremindedmestrongl
yofher
brot
hers."Areyoualwayst
hisformal?
"She
enquir
ed,asmal l
smi l
eonherli
ps.
"Uh,Ijustdon'
twanty outothi
nkthatI
'm an
ungratefulper
son,"Imutt
ered.El
i
zabethwasso
confidentandIjustfel
tawkwardstandi
ngin
frontofher.
"Tr
ustme,Idon'
tthi
nky ou'
reungratef
ul,
qui
te
theopposi
teact
uall
y.Imean,thatiswhyChri
s
choseyouashiswif
e,"shesaid.
"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Iasked,
feel
i
ngconf
used.
"Imean,Icanseewhyhepickedy
ou,"she
clar
if
ied,
taki
ngtheeggsandremovi
ngagl ass
bowl.
"
Canyoutel
lmewhy,
becausehenev
ert
old
me,
"Ir
equested.
"Ican,butI
'
m notgoingto,
"sherepli
ed.
Eli
zabethwasconfusingme;Icouldn'
tfi
gur
e
outifsheli
kedmeornot .
"Ohokay.CanIhel
pyoumakebr
eakf
ast
,ifi
t'
s
okaywit
hy ou?
"Iquer
ied.
El
izabethwentovertothepantr
yandcame
backwi thgr
eenchi
lli
esandacanof
mushr ooms.Sheplacedthei
temsinf
rontof
meal ongwithacutti
ngboardandakni
fe.
"Youcancutt
hechi
l
li
esandt
hemushr
ooms,
"
shesaid.
"Thankyou.
"Ididn'twasteti
me,Iimmediat
ely
begancutti
ngthechi l
l
ies.OnceIwasdone,I
mov edontothev egetabl
es.
"
So,
y ouhaveali
ttl
ebrot
her
."El
i
zabet
hsai
din
t
heform ofast
atement.
Inodded."
Yes.Ni
coi
smybr
other
,"Ist
atedt
he
obvi
ous.
"
Andhel
i
veswi
thy
ou?
"Sheasked.
"
Yes.Heist
ooy
oungt
oli
veonhi
sown,
"I
r
epl
ied.
"Icanseethat
."Shepaused."Howdoy oufeel
aboutChri
sleavi
nghisfamily
? "Shequest
ioned.
"Idi
dn'
twanthi
mtol
eav
ehi
sfat
her
,"I
answered.
"
SoifChri
swantstogobacktohisfami
l
yand
l
eaveyoufendi
ngforyour
sel
f,y
ou'
ll
beokay
wi
thit
?"Shequeri
ed.
"Yes.I
fhewant st
oleav
emeinordertobewith
hisfamil
y,I
'
llbeokaywi
thi
t,
"Ir
esponded,bi
ti
ng
myl i
p.
"
Why
?"
"BecauseIl
ovehim andwanthi mtobehappy
.
Ifhi
shappinessli
eswithhisfamil
y,t
henwho
am Itocomei nbetween.
"Itoldher
.
"Butyou'l
lgobacktobeingpoor,i
sthatokay
withyou.Imeanf r
om li
vingli
kearoyalt
ogoing
backtol i
vi
ngintheslums..
."Shel
ether
sentencetrai
lof
f,butIunderst
oodwhatshe
wast r
yingtosay.
"
Iwasborni
nt hesl
ums.SowhatifIl
ivedl
ikea
r
oyal
forali
tt
lewhil
e.IknowwhatI'
m wort
h,
andpover
tyi
snotnewtome.Ili
vedli
keapoor
bef
ore,
Icandoitagai
n.I
fhedeci
destoleav
e
me,Iwon'
taskf
orasingl
ecent,
"Ir
epli
ed.
"
Yousur
eaboutthat
?Peopl
ecangetusedt
o
t
heri
chl
ife,
"shesai
d.
"I
fpeopl ecangetusedtot herichlif
e,theycan
getusedt opovertyaswell,i
tjusttakesal i
tt
le
l
onger .Imight
'vemarri
edhkm f ormoney
becauseIwant edmybr othertogethi ssurgery
,
butIlovehim nowandhi smoneydoesn' t
mattertomeany more,
"Istated, whi
le
conti
nuedt ocutthemushr ooms.
Eli
zabethdidn'
tsayany t
hingforawhi le.WhenI
wasdonecut t
ingthemushr ooms, shetookthe
choppedmushr oomsalongwi ththegreen
chil
li
esandt hrewthem inthebeat eneggs.She
thenproceededt omakeanomel et,whileI
l
ookedar oundt heki
tchen,tr
yingtodistract
my sel
ffrom Eli
zabeth'
soverbeari
ngpr esence.I
hadaf eeli
ngthatEli
zabethdidnotl i
keme
much.
"Goodmor ni
ng,l
ove."Il
ookedatt heunf
amili
ar
malewhohadent eredthekitchenandhugged
Eli
zabethfr
om behi
nd.Hepl acedakissonher
neck,causi
ngmet oblush.NowIr eal
lywas
i
ntrudi
ng.
"Morni
ngbabe, di
dyousleepwel
l?"El
i
zabet
h
asked,smil
ingattheman.Thi
smustbeHenr y
,
herhusband.Henrywasabout6feettal
l
,wi
th
curl
yblondehairandj
adegreeneyes.
"Isl
eptwit
hyou,whatdoyouthink?
"Hegr
inned
ather.I
twasonlywhenheglancedatmedidhe
real
izeIwasal
sopresent
.
"Ohhell
othere,
youmustbeAli
ce,Chri
s'
swife.
"
Henryl
etgoofEl i
zabet
handstr
odeovertome,
hol
dinghishandoutformetoshake.
"Yes,
nicetomeetyou,andt
hankyouf
orl
ett
ing
usstaytheni
ght
."Ishookhi
shand.
"
Youar
esosmal
l
.Howcany
ouhandl
eaman
l
i
keChri
s?"Henr
yasked.Igav
ehi
m apuzzl
ed
l
ook,
whatwasheimplyi
ng.
"
I'
m sorr
y,Idon'
tknowwhaty
oumean.
"NowI
j
ustfel
tstupi
d.
"
Justt
hatyou'r
esodeli
cate,
andsosmall,
Chr
is
i
stheexactopposi
teofyou,
"hest
ated.
"
Opposi
tesat
tr
act,babe,
"El
i
zabet
hsai
d,
maki
ngHenrychuckl
e.
"
Iguesst
heydo.
"Hegav
emeawar
m smi
l
e.
"Ali
ce,will
y oupleasesett
hetable,
theplat
es
andot herthingsareovert
her
e,"Eli
zabet
h
requested.
Iwasonlytoohappyt ocomply."
Ofcour se.
"I
i
mmedi atel
ygrabbedtheplat
e,spoons,knives
andforksbeforeheadi
ngoutofthekitchen.
"Whereisthetabl
e?"Iasked.
"
Thedini
ngr
oom i
sthenextdoor,
"sher
epl
ied.
Noddi
ngmyhead,
Ilef
ttheki
tchenandent
ered
t
hedi
ningr
oom.
Iquicklyplacedt hecut ler
yint hebestpossi ble
wayt hatIcoul d.Iwant edtot akeasmuchas
ti
measpossi bl e.Ididn'twantt odealwi th
Eli
zabet horHenr y.IwishedChr iswoul dcome
downsoon, orev enKi eran.Ishould'velistened
tohi m whenhet oldmet ostayi nbed.Damni t,
I
wassuchani diot.Nextt i
me, Iwasnotgoi ngt o
helpany one,nomat t
erhowmuchIwant edt o.I
didn'tevenknowwhatEl i
zabethwoul dbe
thinkingaboutme.May beshewoul dt ellChr i
s
toleav eme.
"
Lit
tl
epeach,
Iseeyou'
vesett
hetabl
e."Chr
is'
s
v
oicehadmer el
axi
ngi
naninst
ant.
"Yeah,whydon'ty
ousitdown.
"Ipul
ledouta
chairf
orhim,causinghi
mtofrown.
"
Don'
tdot
hat
,"headmoni
shed.
"
Don'
tdowhat
?"Iasked.
"
Pul
loutachai
rforme.I
'
m supposet
odot
hat
f
ory
ou,
nott
heot
herwayar
ound,
"heexpl
ained.
"
Sowhat
?I'
my ourwi
fe,
Icanpul
loutachai
rfor
y
ou,
"Iar
gued.
"
No,y
ou'
remyl
it
tl
efair
y,andyou'r
enevergoi
ng
t
odoany
thi
ngofthi
ssorteveragai
n,
"hesaid
f
ir
mly
.
Justt
hen, Keir
anandNicoent
ered."
Good
morning,l
itt
lemushroom,y
oulookwell
,"Ki
eran
comment ed,pull
i
ngoutachai
randsitt
ingdown,
whil
eNi codidthesame.
"
Goodmor
ning,
Kier
an,
Nic,
"Igr
eet
ed.
"
Goodmor
ning,
Ali
ce,
"Ni
cosai
d.
Eli
zabethenteredt hedi
ningroom f oll
owedby
Henry,bothoft hem car
ryingbreakfastdishesin
thei
rhandswhi chtheypl
acedont het abl
e.My
stomachgr owledjustbylookingatt hemout h
wateri
ngf ood.Howl onghadi tbeensi nceIlast
ate?Ididn'
tthinkIhaddinnerlastni ght,wi
ththe
wholefiasco,may bethatwaswhyIwasso
hungr
y.
"
Digi
never
yone,
"Henr
ysai
d,si
tt
ingdownnext
t
ohiswi
fe.
Ohboy,anot
herf
ami
l
ymeal
.Ihopet
hisone
goeswell
.
<3I
nser
t36<3
.
.
.

Star
ingatt
heclocktol
dmeexact lyhowslow
theti
mewasmov i
ng.IwishChri
swoul dhurr
y
upandcomebacksowecoul dleave,buti
t
l
ookedasifhehadnoi nt
enti
onofcomi ngback.
AndIdidnotwanttostayhereanylonger.
Breakf
astwentallr
ight,
sur
pri
singl
y.El
i
zabet
h
di
dn'tmakemef eelli
keanoutcast
.Shewas
actual
l
yveryni
cetome.Shet ri
edtomake
smalltal
k,butIwast oonervoust
oreall
yget
theconversati
ongoing;whichwasstupidofme,
asshemi ghtbethinkingofmeascold-hear
ted
orawkwar d.Butshemademesoner vous.
Eli
zabethwasChr i
s'sbestfri
end,
Ineededher
toli
keme, butthewayt hi
ngsweregoing,I
doubtthatwasgoi ngtohappenanytimesoon.
Afterbreakfast, Christol
dmehehadt ogot ake
careofsomet hingsandgetacl eaningcrew
overtot henewhousewhi chwewoul dbelivi
ng
i
n.Hesai dhewoul dbebacki nthreehours,and
nowi thadbeenf i
vehour sandnosi gnofhim.I
tr
iedhelpingEl izabethwithchor es,asIdidnot
wantt oseem l ikethoseguest swhoonl ysati n
yourliv
ingr oom ort r
ashedy ourhouseanddi d
nothelp.Butj ustlikeearlier
,Shet ol
dmet osit
backandr elax,becauseshewant edher
nephewt obecomf ort
able.Sheey edmybul ging
stomachasshesai dthat.Great,evenEli
zabeth
beli
evedt hatmybabywasaboy .
SonowIhadnochoi cebutt ositinmyr oom
andstareatthebl
oodyclock.Ihadnot hi
ngt o
doandi twasdri
vi
ngmecr azy .IwishChris
wouldhurryupandcomebacksowecangot o
ournewhouse.There,atleastIwoul dhav e
somethingtodo.Iey
edt hecl ockonlytosee
theminutehandhadnowmov edtofourfrom
two.Great,
onlyt
enmi nutespassed.Si ghing,
I
satbackandclosedmyey es.
Myey esopenedwhent hedooroft hebedr oom
openedandaboyofaboutei ghtentered.He
hadblondehairandjadegreeney es.Hel ooked
l
ikeami niver
sionofHenry
.Wast his
Eli
zabeth'
soldestchi
ld?
Theboyst rodeovertomysi deoft hebed,and
stoppedassoonashi swai sttouchedt he
mat t
ress.Thekidbli
nkedaf ewt imes,eyei
ng
mecur iousl
ybutdidn'
tsayany thing.Not
knowingwhatt odo,allIdi
dwassmi l
e.Maybe
i
fhesawmesmi li
ng,hewoul dn'tbescaredof
me.
"Whoareyou?Wherei
suncl
eChris?
"Thekid
asked,
tur
ninghi
sheadtot
heleft
,asifwi
l
li
ng
Chri
stoemergefr
om t
hebathr
oom.
"Uncl
eChri
sisgonet
odosomewor
k,"I
answeredt
hekid.
"
Whenwi
l
lhebeback?
"Hequest
ioned.
"
Idon'
tknow,
butsoon,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"
Whoar
eyou?
"Heaskedhi
sear
li
erquest
ion.
"Umm...
I'
m..
."WhatwasIsupposetot
ell
theki
d?
ThatIwashisaunt
,wasIevenall
owedtobehi
s
aunt
?
"Ar
eyoumum' sf
ri
end?"Heenqui
red,
thegr
een
gazenotl
eav
ingmyface.
"
Uhh.
..
I.
..
"Thi
swasget
ti
ngawkwar
d.
Theboyshookhi sheadbef
oreIcouldsaya
word."No.Youcan'tbemum'sf
riend.Iknow
whoy ouare,butmummysay syouonlyexisti
n
st
ori
es,
"heut
ter
ed.
If
rownedi
nconf
usi
on."
Whatdoy
oumean?
"
"Youar
eafair
yri
ght?Uncl
eChri
stoldmehe
hasafai
ryi
nhishouse.
"Theki
dtoldme.
"Afai
ry?"Whatwasthi
skidt
alki
ngabout
?What
hasChristol
dhim?AndwhydidEli
zabet
htel
l
himthatIexi
sti
nstori
es?
Thekidnodded."
Yes,youarethefai
ry.Uncl
e
Chri
stol
dmehehasaf air
y.Canyougr antme
thr
eewishes?"Hecl
imbedont hebedandsat
onhiskneesinfr
ontofme.
"Threewishes?"Wasn'
tthegeni
esupposet
o
grantwishes?
"Yes.Pl
ease.Ipr
omiseI
'
llbeagoodboythi
s
year,
"hesaid.Gr
eat
,nowhewasthinki
ngIwas
SantaClause.
BeforeIcoul
dbeanymor
euncomfortabl
e,
El
izabethent
eredt
her
oom,hermotherl
yfacei
n
pl
ace.
"Sam Harol
dWhitmore!Whatareyoudoing
here,andwhyareyoustil
lnotdr
essed?!
"
Eli
zabethsai
d,st
ernl
y,causi
ngthekid'
seyest
o
widen.
"Mum.Look."Hepointedatme."UncleChr i
s
broughthi
sfai
ryhere.Yousai
df ai
ri
esonl yexi
st
i
nst or
ies,
butthi
sfair
yisreal
.I'
m askingifshe
will
grantmethreewishes,
"Sam explained.
Elizabeth'
sjawdroppedalit
tl
ebef
oreshe
recov er
ed."Sam,Iwantyoutogoandputon
freshclothes.Now."Shepoi
ntedi
nthedi
rect
ion
oft hedoor.
"
Butmywi
shes,
"Sam whi
ned.
"Youcanmakey ourwishesonceyou'
redressed.
Quick.Other
wisethefairywi
llgoaway,
"
Eli
zabethorder
edherson, whoscrambledoff
thebed.
"
Okay
.I'
l
lgogetdr
essed.Pl
easef
air
yMi
ss,
don'
tgo.I'
ll
beri
ghtback.
"Withoutlooki
ngback,
Sam dashedoutoft
hebedroom, l
eavingme
bewi
ldered.
OnceSam wasgone, El
i
zabethturnedtome.
"I
'
m sosorry
,Ali
ce.Ihadnoideahewoul dget
outofbedandcomest rai
ghthere,
"shesai
d,
l
ookingapol
ogeti
c.
"I
t'
sal
lri
ght
.Hecamel ookingforChr
is.It
old
hi
m hewasnother
e,"Iresponded.
"Yeah.Hei
si nl
ovewi
thChris.I
fhedoesn'
t
comet ovi
sithi
m,het
hinkshedoesn'tl
ovehi
m
andhasabandonedhi
m. "Shechuckl
ed.
"
Isee.
"
"AndnowIthi
nkSam mi
ghtbei
nlov
ewi
thy
ou,
"
sheremar
ked.
If
rowned."
Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?"Ienqui
red.
"
Becauseaccordi
ngtoSam,youareafai
rywho
i
sgoingtogranthi
m hi
sthr
eewishes,
"she
answer
ed,
anamusedsmi
l
eonherf
ace.
"But,
I'
m notafai
ry.AndIcan'
tgrantany
wishes.
"IhadChri
swhof ulf
il
ledmyev er
ywish
anddesir
e,wit
houthim,Icoul
dbar el
ypayfora
onetimemeal.
"OhSam begstodi
ffer
.Hei sgoi
ngtocome
backtoyouinali
tt
lewhileandwil
ltel
lyouhi
s
thr
eewishes,
"sherepl
ied.
"But—But,Ican'tgranthim hi
swishes.Hewil
l
besodi sappointed..
."Gui
ltst
abbedmeatt he
thoughtofseeingSam sad.
Eli
zabet
hchuckledbefor
esitt
ingonthebed.
"Don'
tworr
yaboutSam' swishes,
Ali
ce.The
mosthe'sgoingtowishforwil
lbeanacti
on
fi
gureoraPlayStat
iongame,"shestat
ed.
"
Yeahbut
..
."
"
Hey.Don'tworr
yabouti
t.I
'
lll
etChr
isknow
whathisnephewwants,
andhe'l
lgr
anthi
s
wi
sh."Shetoldme.
"ButSam want
smet
ogr
anthi
swi
sh,
"Ipoi
nted
out.
"Oh,don'tworr
y.Chri
swi l
lgett
hestuf
f,we'
ll
j
usttellhimit
'sfr
om y ou.
"Andshewinkedat
me.Thegest ureremindedmesomuchofChr i
s,
Imissedhimr i
ghtthen.OhChris,
wherewere
you?
"
Thankyou.Butyoudon'thav
etodothat
.What
i
staki
ngChrissolong?
"Isaidoutl
oud.
"Whyareyousoworr
iedabouthi
m get
ti
ng
back?
"Eli
zabet
hquer
ied.
"Imisshi
m.Andwehavetogo.Hesai
dthenew
housewil
lbecl
eanby2:
00pm,"Ii
nfor
medher.
El
i
zabethgavemeanot
heramusedsmi
l
e."
He
di
dn'
ttel
lyou?"
"
Tel
lmewhat
?"Iasked.
"
Thaty
ouguy
sar
enotl
eav
ing.
"Shet
oldme.
"
Whatdoy
oumean?
"Iquest
ionedf
urt
her
.
"Idon'twantyouguy stogososoon.SoIt ol
d
Chr i
sthathebetternotleav emyhouseforthe
nexttwoweeks, andIhav en'
tgi
venhimthe
righttosaynotome.Bei nganoldersi
sterhas
i
tsper ks.
"Shelaughed.
"
Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"Iasked,
flabber
gast
ed.
"
Dowhat
?"
"Youknow, wantust ostay.
..
ImeanChrisi
s
yourbrot
her,Igetthat,but.
..
"HowcouldIsay
shewantedmeandNi cogonewi t
hout
soundi
nglikeapr esumpt i
ousbit
ch?
"Areyoukiddingme?Whywoul dIwanty ou
guystoleave,youjustgother e.Anddoy ou
haveanyideahowl ongIhadt owaittofinall
y
meety ou?Chr i
stoldmeall aboutyouov erthe
phone,butnowIf inal
lygettomeety ouandI
wanttogett oknowy oumor e.Soyou'r
est ayi
ng
herefortwoweeks, "shestated,makingmy
eyesgowi de.
Shel
i
kesme!Sheact
ual
l
yli
kesme!
"
Areyousur
eaboutt
his?
"Igav
eherskept
ical
l
ook.
"Ofcourse.MaybetomorrowI'
l
ltakeyou
shopping.Haveyoustar
tedshoppingfort
he
baby?"
"
Notyet.Chri
sandIboughtali
tt
lestuf
f,butnot
much.Neverreal
l
ygottheti
me."It
oldher.
"Perf
ect.We'
llgot
omorr
owthen.Hav
eyou
thoughtofanynamesf
ormynephew?"She
queri
ed.
"Youknow,
thebabycanbeagi
rlaswel
l
,"I
stat
ed.
"
It
'snot
,tr
ustme.
"
"I
tcanbe.Chr
isdoesn'
tbel
i
evemeei
ther
,"I
sai
d.
"Wel
li
t'
saboy.ThePal
merf
ami
l
yhasacur
se,
"
sher
epli
ed.
"
Buty
ourmot
herbr
oket
hecur
se.
"
"
Yeah,andshewast hefirstoutofsixt
yfi
ve
woment ohaveagirlasthefirstbaby.
Gener
ationshavepassedwi thoutagir
lbei
ng
t
hefir
stborn,
"sheresponded.
"
May
beIcanbr
eakt
hecur
seaswel
l
."
"Yeah.Keepbeli
evingthat
.Whoknowsitmight
comet rue.
"El
izabethpatt
edmyshoul
derli
ghtl
y.
Iwantedt
ochanget het
opi
candtalkabout
somethi
ngelse,
butanaggingt
houghtdidn'
tl
et
me.Andsof i
nal
ly,
IaskedwhatIr
eall
ywanted
toaskher.
"
Eli
zabet
h?"
"
Youcancal
lmeLi
zzy
."
"
Thanky
ou.Umm,canIasky
ousomet
hing,
if
y
oudon'
tmind?
"
"
Shoot
."
"
Di—Di
dyounotl
i
kemewheny
oumetme?
"I
hadnoi
deai
fsheunder
stoodmyquest
ionor
not
.
"
Youmean,
ifIl
i
kedy
ouatf
ir
stornot
?"
"
Yeah.
..
Ithi
nk.
"GodIwasani
diot
.
"
Ali
ce.Il
i
kedyousi
ncet
hemomentChr
iscal
led
meandtoldmehewasgoi
ngt
omarryyou.
"
"
But
..
.ear
li
er.
..
youseemedal
i
ttl
e—"
"
Col
d?Al
oof
?Cl
osedof
f?"
"
Yes.
"Ibl
ushedi
nembar
rassment
.
"Yeah,Iwasjustt
esti
ngy ou..
.si
zingyouup.
Don'ttel
lanyonet
his,butIwantt oint
imidate
peoplealit
tl
ewhenIf i
rstmeett hem,it
'sa
tact
icIuse.AndI'
llbedoingthesamewi th
Jennyoncesheget shere."
"
Jenny
'scomi
ngher
e?"Iasked,
myey
eswi
de.
"Yeah.Keir
anwil
lbri
ngherhereinafewhour s.
Don'ttel
lherI
'
mt esti
ngher
,pret
endyou'r
e
obli
vious.
"Shewinkedagai
n,herpl
ayful
atti
tude
hel
pingmer
elax.
"
Thanky
ou.
"
"
Forwhat
?"El
i
zabet
hquer
ied.
"Every
thi
ng.Foraccept
ingme.Forgi
vingusa
placetol
ive.Youhavenoideahowmuchy ou'
ve
helpedus.
"IwishIcouldrepayEl
i
zabeth
somehow.
"Youdon'
tneedtothankme.I
'm gl
ady
ouguy
s
areher
e."Shegavemeasmi l
e.
"
Ido.Iwi
sht
her
ewassomewayIcoul
drepay
y
ou."
"Youwanttorepayme.KeepChris
happy.
..
for
ever.That
'sal
lIwant
,"shesai
d.
"Youdon'
thav
et oworr
yaboutt
hat
.Il
ovehi
m,
andI'
ll
doevery
thingi
nmypowertokeephi
m
happy,
"Ipr
omised.
"Il
oveyout
oo,
li
tt
lebi
rd."Chr
isst
rodef
orward
andsatont
hebedbesideme,pul
li
ngmet ohi
m.
"Wherehaveyoubeen?Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
"I
eyedhim wi
thdi
sapproval
.
"Igothel
dup.I
ntwodays,y
ouaregoi
ngtoget
asurpri
se,
"hewhi
sper
ed,ki
ssi
ngmebelowthe
ear.
"
Whatsur
pri
se?
"Iquest
ioned.
"
Pat
ience,
li
tt
lef
air
y."Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
"
No.Tel
lmenow!
"Idemanded.
"
No.Bepat
ient
."Het
urnedt
ofacehi
ssi
ster
.
"
Wher
eisHenr
y?"HeaskedEl
i
zabet
h.
"
Wor
k."
"
Wherei
sKei
ran?
"Chr
isenqui
red,
hishand
t
angl
i
nginmyhair
.
"
Gonet
ogetJenny
,"sheanswer
ed.
"
Didy
out
alksomesensei
ntohi
m?"
"It
ri
ed.Butheisnotl
i
steni
ng.Ikeeptel
l
inghi
m
hehasplentyoft
imetomarryJenny,
buthe
want
stomar
ryherr
ightnow.
"Shet
oldChr
is.
"
I'
m af
rai
dhe'
sgoi
ngt
oscar
eher
,"Chr
issai
d.
"Wai
t.Kei
ranwantstomarr
yJenny?Ri
ght
now?"Wow, t
hesemendidn'
tknowthe
meaningofpati
ence.
El
izabet
hnodded."
Yes.That
'swhyhewentt
o
gether.
"
"
But
,isn'
tthatt
oosoon?
"
"
No!
"
"
Yes!
"
Eli
zabet
handChri
ssai
datthesametime.I
eyedhimthenEl
i
zabet
h."
Whyisitnotsoon?
"I
askedChri
s.
"Comeon, Al
i
ce.Chrisi
saguy ,
itdoesn'
tmatter
tohim.Butasuddenmar r
iageforawoman,
that
'sdi
ff
icul
t,nott
oment i
onscary.
"Eli
zabet
h
shudder
ed.
"
Soy
ouwer
escar
edwheny
ougotmar
ri
ed?
"I
quest
ionedher
.
Sheletoutanawkwardlaugh."
That'
sast ory
foranot
herti
me.Anyway s,
wearenottalking
aboutme,wearetal
kingaboutKeir
an."
"I
'
llt
ryandtal
ktohim again.Ihopehedoesn'
t
tr
yandkil
lmewhenIt ellhim Icoul
dnotgeta
pri
estf
orhim andJenny,
"Chr i
smut t
ered.
"
Youmeanhewantstogetmar
ri
edr
ightnow?
"
Now,
Iwasshocked.
"Yes.Butwearet
ryi
ngt
opr eventt
hatf
rom
happening.
"El
i
zabet
hchuckled.
"
Andwear
enotsucceedi
ng,
"Chr
isgr
umbl
ed.
"
Shoul
dIt
alkt
ohi
m?"Iof
fer
ed.
Justt
hen,thesoundoft hefr
ontdoorslamming
shutr
ever
beratedthroughoutthevi
ll
a.Andthen,
weheardthedist
inctvoicesofKei
ranand
Jenny
.
"
Kei
ran.Whati
sthi
spl
ace?Wher
ear
eyou
t
aki
ngme?Kei
ranst
op!
"
"
Shi
t!Ineedt
odeal
wit
hthi
s."Chr
isgotupf
rom
t
hebed.
"Letmecomewithy
ou.
"It
ri
edget
ti
ngup,
but
hestoppedme.
'
No.Iwantyoutorest
.I'
ll
gohandleKeiran.God
knowswhattempramenthe'
llbein,
"he
mutter
ed,
befor
ejoggingoutoftheroom.
"Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
odoany
thi
ng?
"Iasked
Eli
zabeth.
"Nope.Therei
snothi
ngIcando.Keiranwants
tomarryJennyandhe'snotgoi
ngtostopuntil
hesli
pstheweddingbandonherf i
nger.The
mostChr i
scandoispostponethemarriagef
or
twodaysmax,"sheanswerwd.
"
Whyar
eal
lthesemenl
i
ket
hat
?"Ienqui
red.
"I
t'
saPalmerthi
ng.Themenar ei
nsanel
y
possessi
veaboutt
heirwomen.Someti
mesI
thi
nkthesemenwer eborninthewr
ongtime,
becausetheyactmoreli
kecavemenrat
herthan
civ
ilhumanbeings,
"shestat
ed.
"Wi
ll
Jennybeokay
? "Iwaswor
ri
edabouther
,
shel
ookedsofr
agi
le.
"Shehasnochoi ce.Shehastobe."Eli
zabeth
stoodup." Ihavetogocheckont hekids,I
'l
lsee
youl at
er.Tryandr el
ax.
"Withanothersmil
e,she
strodeoutoft heroom, l
eav
ingmewi thmyown
thoughts.
OhGod.ThesePal
mer
'sandt
hei
runi
quebl
ood.
<3I
nser
t37<3
.
.
.

Istar
edatthesceneinfr
ontofme,
andthe
shockthatr
esonatedthr
oughmybodywas
enought ohav emecl utchingt hebanist er.
Kei ranwasst andingi nthef oyerwithJenny
whowasdesper atel
yt ryi
ngt ofreeherwr i
st
from hi shold.Chr iswasst andi nginfrontof
Kei ran,ahar shlookonhi sface.Whi leLi zzy
wasst andingaf ewf eetawayhol di
ngherbaby .
All ofthem wer ewear ingdi fferentexpressi ons.
Kei ranlookeddet ermined, likehewoul ddest roy
thewor l
danysecond.Jenny '
sfaceshoweda
mi xtureoff earandconf usion.Chr i
sgl aredat
hisbr other,lookingf r
ust rated.AndEl izabet h
l
ookedl ikeshewant edt osmackherbr other.
Event houghChrishadt oldmet orest,Icouldn'
t.
Keir
anwasgoi ngtof orceJennyintomar ryi
ng
him andIjustcouldn'tstayi
nbedandl etit
happen.AndIwoul dtrytohelpifneeded.ButI
j
ustcoul dn'
tstayinbedandwor rymy selft
o
death.Andso, despit
emyhusbandt el
lingmet o
takeiteasy,Iwasoutofbedandwasnow
l
ookingatt hetwobr othershavi
ngast andoff.
Noonesawmestandi
ngonthestai
rs,
bot
hof
t
hem t
oobusyst
ari
ngateachot
her.
"
Getoutofmyway
,Chr
is,
"Kei
ransai
d.
"
Letgoofher
,you'
rehur
ti
ngher
,"Chr
isor
der
ed.
"
Kei
ranpl
ease,
letgoofme,
"Jennypl
eaded.
Sighi
ng, Keir
anletgoofJenny'
swr i
st,
who
i
mmedi atel
ybeganrubbi
ngitwithherother
hand.Shel ookedsoscared,myheartachedfor
her.Ireall
yhopedKeir
anwoul dn'
tfor
ceherto
mar r
yhi m,GodknowshowJennywoul dreact
.
"Li
z,canyoupl
easetakehertooneoft
he
guestsrooms,
"Kei
ranrequest
ed.
Eli
zabethcamef orward, gr
abbedJenny '
shand
l
ightl
yandbegunl eadi
ngheraway .Jenny,not
knowingwhatelset odo, hesit
antl
yfol
lowed
Eli
zabethtotheguestr oom.Seeingherscared
andconfused,Ivowedt omy sel
ftotal
ksome
senseintoKeir
an.
"Whatthehel
li
swrongwit
hyou?
"Chri
s
expl
odedassoonasJennywaswel
loutof
si
ght.
"Whatdoy oumean?I'
m mar
ryi
ngthewomanI
l
ove,ther
ei snot
hingwr
ongwit
hthat
!"Kei
ran
shout
ed.
"Notherei
sn'
t.Butwhenyou'
refor
cing
someonetomar ryyou,
theni
tiswrong,
"Chr
is
argued.
"
Ohplease.Youdidthesamethi
ng.Youf
orced
Al
icet
omar ryyou,
"Keir
ansai
d.
"
Thatwasdif
fer
ent
,Kei
ran,
andy
ouknowi
t,
"
Chr
isdef
ended.
"How?Howwast hatdi
ffer
ent
?Youwanteda
baby,y
ouforcedAl
icetomarr
yyou,andyou'
re
tel
li
ngmethatfor
cingJennyt
omar r
ymei s
wrong!
"Kei
randidnotl
owerhisvoi
ce.
"Hav
eyouseenhowscaredshei
s?!Shei
s
conf
usedandt
err
if
ied,
andyou'
regoingt
ofor
ce
hert
omarryyou,ar
eyououtofyourmind?!
"It
l
ookedasifChr
isdidnothav
econtr
oloverhi
s
emoti
onseit
her.
"Sowhat?!Al
icewasscar edaswell
,butshe
l
earnedtoli
vewithit.Jennyi
sstr
ong,shewill
befine,
"Kei
ranargued.
Chr
issi
ghedaudi
bly
."Tel
lme.Doy
our
eal
l
y
l
oveher
?"Heaskedsoftl
y.
"
Whatkindofaquestionist
hat?OfcourseI
l
oveJenny,Ir
efusetoli
vewit
houther!
"Keir
an
t
hrewhishandsintheair
.
"I
fyouloveher,t
henstopbei ngaself
ish
wankerandtakeherfeeli
ngsi nt
oconsider
ati
on.
Youloveher,y
oumar ryherwhenshewant sto
marryyou.Don'
tfor
ceher ,shewon'tbehappy,
"
Chri
sexplai
ned.
"
Ican'
tgi
vehert
hatchoi
ce,
"Kei
ranst
ated.
"
Whynot
?"Chr
isenqui
red.
"Whatifshesaysno.Whati fshesaysshe
doesn'twanttomar r
yme?Ican' tl
i
vewi t
hout
her.HellIwon'
tletanyoneelsehaveher.Sheis
mine."Keir
anrakedhishairwithhi
sfingers.
"I
fshesaysno,t
henl ov
eherunt i
lshesaysyes.
Don'
tfor
ceherintomar r
yingy ou,t
reatheri
n
suchawaythatshehasnochoi cebuttolove
youandmarryyou,"Chri
sr easoned.
"Idon'
twanthert
obefree.Othermenwould
haveheri
fshedoesn'
tmar r
yme, "Kei
ranst
ated.
"Look.Marr
yingherli
kethi
sisnott
heanswer
.
Shewon'tbehappy ,
youneedtothi
nk
rati
onal
ly
,"Chri
sasserted.
Keiransighed."Twoweeks.ThatisallI
'm
will
i
ngt ogivehertomakeuphermi nd.Aft
er
that,I
'
m goingt odowhatIwant,andy ouare
notgoingt ostandi
nmyway ,
"Keir
anconceded.
"
Iwi
l
lifmysi
ster
-i
n-l
awi
supset
,"Chr
isst
ated.
Wi
thasuddengr
owl
thathadmyhear
tjol
ti
ng,
Keiranstormedoutoft hehouse, sl
ammi ngt he
dooronhi swayout .Chri
sbr eat
hedoutasi gh
beforerunningahandt hroughhishair.Thinking
thatitwassaf eformet oshowmy selfnow, I
walkeddownt hestai
rs.Chrissawmeandt ri
ed
togivemear eassuri
ngsmi lebutfai
led;Icould
seet heworryinhisseagr eeneyes,hewas
worriedaboutJenny .
"Hey
,IthoughtItoldy
outorest
,"hesai
dsof
tl
y,
assoonasIr eachedhim.Heenvel
opedmeina
warm hug.
"Igotti
redofresti
ng.
"Ibr
eat
hedinhi
s
masculinescent."
Howareyou?Andhowi
s
Keiran?
"
"WhydoIgetthefeel
ingthaty
ousaw
ever
y t
hingt
hatt
ranspir
eddownhere?
"He
utt
ered.
"
May
bebecauseIdi
d,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"
Youar
eanaught
yli
tt
ledov
e,ar
en'
tyou?
"He
ti
ght
enedhi
sgr
ipar
oundmebef
orel
ett
ingme
go.
"
Am Isupposet
oapol
ogi
ze?
"Iasked.
Helaughed."No.Comeon,Iwantt
otel
lyou
something.
"Heledmetothecouchint
heli
ving
room andsatdownnextt
ome.
"
Whati
sit
?"Iasked.
"
RememberIsai
dthatIhav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
"
"
Yes.
"Washegoi
ngt
otel
lmewhatt
hesur
pri
se
was?
"Your
emembertheboythatIsai
dIwantt
o
adopt
?"Heaskedme,asoftsmil
eonhisf
ace.
Instant
ly,
thefaceofthatador
abl
ebabycame
i
nt omymi nd."Yes.Ir
ememberhim,
"I
answered.
"
Well
,int
wodaysy ouandIwi
l
lgoandadopt
t
hatbaby
,"hest
ated.
"
Real
l
y?"Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t.Wewer
egoi
ngt
o
adopthim,wewer egoingt oadoptthatl
i
ttl
e
boy.Myhear tswell
edwi t
hhappinessatthe
prospectofhavingthatli
tt
leboyasmyson.I
wouldlovehiml i
kemyown, andwouldnever
makehi mfeel l
i
kehedi dn'
tbelong.
Henodded."Yes,
li
tt
lepeach.We'l
lgoand
adopthi
m."Thesmileonhisfacetol
dme
exact
lyhowexcit
edhewast oadoptthatboy
.
"That
'swonder
ful
.I'
m sogl
adyoudeci
dedto
adopthi
m.Whichroom wil
lhest
ayin?
"Iasked,
l
ookingfor
wardtospendi
ngti
mewiththel
itt
le
boy.
"
He'
llst
ayinourroom whi
l
ewear eher
e,when
we'
l
lmov einournewhome,he'
l
lhavehisown
r
oom,"herepl
ied.
"We'l
lhav
etobuytoysforhim andcl
othes,
and
diaper
sand.
..
"It
rai
ledoff.
"
Yes.We'
l
lbuyev
ery
thi
ngf
orhi
m,"heagr
eed.
"
Uh,
hat
etobr
eaky
out
wol
ovebi
rdsapar
t,but
whereisKei
ran?
"El
i
zabet
hasked,
snappi
ngus
outofourpl
ans.
"
Hewentout
..
.t
ocool
off
,hopef
ull
y,
"Chr
is
mut
ter
ed.
"Andwhydidn'
tyougowi
thhi
m?"Li
zzy
quest
ioned.
"
Wher
eisy
ourbaby
?"Chr
isquer
ied.
"Iaskedy
oufirst
,answerme,
"Eli
zabet
h
demanded,causi
ngChristor
oll
hiseyes.
"It
hinkheneedst
imet
ohi
msel
f,
"her
esponded
dri
ly.
"
Umm,
howi
sJenny
?"Iasked
"Shei
sinherroom.Iwastry
ingtohelpherr
elax
butIt
hinkshegotmorescared.
"El
izabet
htol
d
me.
"
Doy
oumi
ndi
fIgo.
..
"
"
Ohsur
e,herroom i
sthatone.
"Shepoi
ntedt
o
t
hel
astdooronthelef
t.
"Thankyou."It
urnedmyatt
enti
ontomy
husband."I
'
m goingtoseei
fshe'
sall
right
."
"Al
lri
ght
,li
tt
lebi
rd.
"Heki
ssedmycheek,
bef
ore
heall
owedmet oleav
e.
Itdi
dn'ttakemel ongt oreachJenny 'sroom.I
knockedt wicebef oreentering,onlytofind
Jennysi t
ti
ngupi nbed, withherar msar ound
herasi fprotectingher self
.WhenJennysaw
me, hereyesspar kledwi t
hr eli
ef.Igavehera
smal l
smi l
ebef orev enturi
ngf ur
therinherr oom
andclosingt hedoorsof t
lybehindme.Jenny
tri
edtosmi l
ebutdi dn'tquit
esucceed,
confusionstillevidentonherf ace.
"Hi
.Howareyou?"Iasked,
comi
ngt
osi
tont
he
bedbesi
deher.
"
Hi.I
'
mfi
ne,
"Jennyr
epl
i
ed.
"
Liar
,"It
eased.
Jennysi
ghed."
Whatist
hispl
ace,Al
i
ce?Whois
thatwoman?WhydidKei
ranbri
ngmehere?
"
"ThatwomanisKeir
an'
sandChris'
sol
dersi
ster
andthisi
sherhouse,
"Ianswer
ed.
"
Inev
erknewKei
ranhadasi
ster
,"sher
emar
ked.
"
Nei
therdi
dI,
unt
ilr
ecent
ly,
"Isai
d.
"AndKeir
anbroughtmeherebecausehe
wantedtoint
roducemetohissi
ster?
"Jenny
questi
oned.
"Youknow,Iwouldlov
et otel
lyouwhyKeir
an
broughty
ouhere,butIthi
nkit'
sbesti
fyouask
Keir
anthat.
"It
oldher.
"
Whyi
sKei
ranact
ingl
i
ket
his?
"Shequer
ied.
"
Act
ingl
i
kewhat
?"Iasked.
"Al
lcontr
oll
ing.Idon'tl
i
kecontr
oll
ingmen."
Jennyshudderedslight
lyasshesaidt
hat,andI
wonderedwhathashappenedt othisgi
rlt
hat
hadherterr
ifi
edofcont r
oll
i
ngmen.
"
Whydon'tyouaskhim?
"Iwant
edtot
ellher
whatwasgoingon,
buti
twasnotmystoryt
o
t
ell
.
"Wher
eishe?"Sheeyedthecl
oseddoor,
li
ke
shewasexpecti
ngKeir
antoenteranymoment
.
"
He'
sout
,buthe'
l
lbebacksoon.
"It
oldher
.
"Ihopehehur
ri
es,
Ineedhi
mri
ghtnow,
"Jenny
stated.
"
Jenny
?"Iwant
edtoaskhersomet
hingi
nor
der
t
oappeasemymind.
"
Yes?
"
"
Doy
oul
oveKei
ran?
"Iquest
ioned.
"
Yes.Ido.
"Shedi
dn'
tev
enhesi
tat
e.
"Sowilly
oumarryhi
mi fhepropose?"I
enquir
ed,get
ti
ngexci
tedatthethoughtof
Keir
anandJennygett
ingmar r
ied.
"
He'
snev
ergoi
ngt
opr
opose,
"Jennysai
d.
"
Whynot
?"Iaskedconf
used.
"
Because.
..
I'
m not
..
.I
'
m nott
heki
ndofgi
rl
Kei
ranwoul
dwantashi
swi
fe,
"sher
epl
i
ed,
l
ookingf
orl
orn.
"What?Howcany ousayt
hat?Keiranlo—"I
caughtmy sel
fbefor
eIcouldspi
l
lKei r
an's
secret
.IhadnoideaifKei
ranhadt ol
dJennyhe
l
ovedherornot ,
soIhadtobecar eful
.
"Ohcomeon, Ali
ce.Hav eyouseenKeir
an?He
i
slike.
..
perf
ect ,
andl ookatme,Idon'
tevenhold
acandletoallthosewomenwhoKei ranmight
chooseashisbr ide.I'
mjustagirl
whowor ksat
thetoystor
e,"shemut t
ered.
"Thatisnott r
ue,Jenny .Kei
rani
sany thingbut
shallow,andhewi l
lnevermakeagi rl
f all
inlove
withhim onlytonev ercatchher.Andy ouar e
betterthanallthoserichgir
lsorwhoev ery ou
thi
nki sfitt
obeKei ran'sbri
de,
"Isaidfirmly,
will
i
ngJennyt obelieveme.
"Youdon'
tknowthat.AndKeir
annevertalks
aboutmarr
iageoranythi
ngl
ikethat
."Jennytol
d
me.
"He'
saman.Mendon' ttal
kaboutmarri
ageor
anyofthatstuf
f.
..
well
nottot
heirgi
rl
fr
iendsat
l
east,
"Iresponded.
"
Thenhowwil
lIknowifhelovesmeenought
o
wantt
omarr
yme? "Jennyqueri
ed.
"Hewi l
lpropose.Orhewillf
orcey outomar r
y
him."Icursedmy sel
fforsayi
ngt helastpar
t,
butprayedwi t
hallmymi ghtthatJennydidnot
understoodwhatIwast ryi
ngt osay.
Jenny'
seyeswi
dened."
What?Menact
ual
l
ydo
that
,for
ceawomant omar
rythem?
"
"
Uhh.
..
may
be.
"Ihadnoi
deawhatel
set
osay
.
"No.Keir
anisnotl ikethat.Hewi l
lneverf
orce
anyonetomar r
yhim, heisar eal
lyniceguy.But
asforyourquest i
on, i
fKeiranwouldev er
propose,I
'l
lsayy es.IloveKeiranandbeinghis
wifewouldbet hegr eatesthonor,
"Jennyrepli
ed,
hereyesshiningwi thloveforKeir
an.
Damn,Keir
anisoneluckyman.Iwonderif
Chr
ist
hinkshe'
sluckytohaveme.Ithought.
"Whenwi l
lKeir
ancome?Iwantt ogohome, "
Jennysaid.Icoul
dtellshewasuncomfortabl
e
i
nt hi
sequallyunf
ami l
i
arterr
it
ory
.HadElizabet
h
tol
dKeirantostayfortwoweeksaswel l
?Ifso,
whatdidthatmeanf orJenny?Wouldshestay
orwouldshego?
"He'
ll
beheresoon,"Iassur
edher.Ihadnoclue
howlongittookforKei
rantocooloff
,Ij
ust
hopednottoolong.
"Whenisy
ourbabycomi
ng?
"Jennyenqui
red,
changi
ngthesubj
ect
.
"I
nafewmonths,"Ianswered,eyei
ngmy
swol
l
entummy .Iwonderifouradoptedbaby
woul
dhaveabrotherorasister.
"Haveyoudeci
dedonanynamesy
et?
"Jenny
asked.
"
Notr
eal
l
y,no,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"
Ilov
ebabi
es.
"Jennyt
oldme.
"
Ist
hatwhyy
ouwor
katat
oyst
ore?
"Iquer
ied.
Jennysmil
ed."Par
tly
.Iloveseei
ngkidssmil
ing
andlaughi
ng,t
hatiswhyIl ov
ewor ki
ngatt
he
toystor
e,i
tmakeschildrensmil
e."
"Howmanykidsdoy ouwant?
"Icoul
dimagine
Keir
an'
sandJenny'
schil
dren,
runni
ngaround,
shri
eki
ngandgiggl
i
ng,whil
eJennymadesur e
noonegothurt
.
"
Iwantf
ourki
ds,
atl
east
,"sheanswer
ed.
Iopenedmymout htoreplywhent hedoor
openedandChr i
s,Keir
an,Eli
zabethandBr ent
on
entered;al
lofthem wearingexpressionsof
horroranddismay .If
rownedasChr i
sr eached
mewhi l
eKeiranwenttoJenny .Whendi d
Brentoncome?
"Chri
s,i
sev erythi
ngallr
ight?What'
sgoingon?"
Iasked,anxietybloomi
ngi nmyheartatseei
ng
myhusbandl ookingsodistr
aught
.
"Li
tt
leone,
li
stent
ome.Wehav
etogo,
now,
"he
stat
ed.
"Whywhathappened? "Ienquired.Behi
ndmeI
coul
dhearJennyandKei rantalki
nginhushed
voi
ces.Brent
onandEl izabethwer est
andingi
n
onecornerwhisper
ingt oeachot her
.
"
Chr
iswehav
etogo,
"El
i
zabet
hur
ged.
"Br
enton,gostar
tthecar,we'l
lberi
ghtt
here,
"
Chri
sinstr
uctedhisyoungestbrot
herwho
noddedandjoggedoutoft heroom.Wasitme
ordidBrent
onlookreall
ypale?
"
Chr
is,
tel
lmewhat
'
sgoi
ngon?
"Iasked.
"Wehavet
ogot
othehospi
tal
immedi
atel
y,
"he
answer
ed.
"
Why?Isever
yoneal
lri
ght
?"Thequest
ions
woul
dn'
tst
opcomingoutofmouth.
Heshookhi sheadandmyheart
beat
accel
erat
ed."No.Li
tt
lef
air
y,myf
atherhada
hear
tatt
ack.Wehav
etogot
othehospi
tal
.
Now"!
.
<3I
nser
t38<3
.
.
.

Wai tingi nthehospi talisthewor stthi

ngev er
.
Notonl yar edepr essionandj oyataconst ant
warwi t
heachot herint heconf i
nesoft hese
steril
ewal l
s,yourpat i
encei sbeingtestedwi th
ever yt i
ckandt ockoft heclock.Wi t
hev er
y
mi nut et hatpasses, i
tbecomesdi ff
icultforyou
tor emai niny ourplaceandnotdasht owar ds
theOR, butwegetnochoi cebutt ostayand
deper atelypraythatjoywi nst hewar ;
because
thev ictor yofdepr essionbringsnothingbuta
rei
gnofsor r
owanddespai randhasan
unpr edict ableruli
ngt i
me.
WhenChr istol
dmehi sfatherhadahear t
att
ack, panicfi
ll
edmei nstant
ly.Iknewhi s
fat
herhat edme, butIwasn'tdesper atef orhis
approval ei
ther
.Howev er,myhear tstarted
poundingwi thanxiet
ybecausehewas
i
mpor tanttoChr i
s.AndIhadl ostmypar ents,
soIknewwhathewasgoi ngthroughr ightnow,
anddespi tewantingtostayathome, I
accompani edhimt othehospital.Now, allt
he
Palmerswi ththei
rlovedoneswer eher e,
waiti
ngf ortheORdoor stoopen.
"
It
'sal
lthatbi
tch'
sfaul
t,
"Brent
onseet
hed,
t
hrowi
ngamenaci ngglar
eatHelga.
Themomentwehadar ri
vedtot hehospit
al,
BrentonlookedatHel gaandchar gedtowards
her.Hegr abbedherbyt heneckandt ri
edto
str
angleher ,andwould'
v esucceededifChri
s
andKeiranhadn' tpul
l
edhi m away .
"
Itherfaul
t!Thi
sbitchi
sthereasonmydadisi
n
t
hef ucki
nghospit
al!Wetrust
edthi
sfucki
ng
whoreandshest abbedusintheback!Letme
go,Iwanttokil
lher!
"Brent
ongrowledloud
enoughforthewholehospit
altohear.
IttookawhileforChrisandKeirantocalm
Brentondown,butev enthen,hedidn'
tstop
glari
ngatHelgawhowasnowsi tt
inginthe
corner,
herfaceashen.Shehadherey es
downcast,afr
aidtolookatt hePalmers.
"Whyareyoubl
amingherf
ory
ourfat
her'
s
condi
ti
on?"I
twasJennywhovoi
cedoutt
he
quest
ion.
"
Becauseshei
sther
easonhei
sher
e,"Br
ent
on
mutt
ered.
"Whatdoyoumean?Tel
lmewhathappened,
"
Eli
zabet
hdemanded.
Brent
onsi ghedandsuddenlyal
lofuswer e
eagertoherejusthowHelgawasr esponsi
ble
forMr.Palmerheartat
tack.Aft
erafew
seconds,hestart
edspeaking.
"Ijustcamehomef r
om workwhenIdeci dedto
visitdadi nhi
sstudy.Sincethedayheki cked
Chr isout,hehasbeenhol edupi nhisstudy.I'
m
sur ehewasr egr
etti
ngwhathedi d,buthedi dn'
t
voicehi sthoughtsouttome.Whenev erIasked
him whatwasbot heri
nghim, hejusttol
dme
that' i
t'
sjustbusi
ness.'
ButIdi dn'
tbeli
evehim,
hisey estoldadiffer
entstory,butIdi
dn'tsay
any thing.
"Butthismorni
ng,Iwenttofather
'sstudyand
foundthedoorsli
ghtl
yajar.Ihear
dfather
speakingtosomeone,andIhadnoi deawhati n
God'snamecameov ermebutIdeci dedto
eavesdroponhim.AndIf oundhimt al
kingto
thatwitch.
"HeshotaglareatHelga.
"Hetoldherhowher egr
ettedkickingChrisout
,
andthisdisgust
ingwhor etoldhimt hathedid
theri
ghtthing.
"Eli
zabeth,JennyandIgasped
whenwehear dthi
s.Icouldn'tbel
ieveit,
I
thoughtHelgawasl oyalt
ot hePalmer s,
appar
ent
lyal
lofushadbeendecei
ved.
"WhenIhear dthis,Idecidedt opeekt hrough
thesmallopening,andt her
eIsawt hi
sbi tch,
unbutt
oningmyf ather'
sshi r
t,tel
l
inghi m howhe
deserv
edbet terchildr
enwhoobey edhim.And
thenshetoldhimt hatshe—t hi
sfucking
maid—willgivehim childrenwhowi l
lnev er
choosetheirbridesov erhim!"Brentonr aised
hisvoi
ceatt heend.
"Thatconni
vingbit
ch!"El
izabet
hshotHelgaa
menacinglook,befor
eey ei
ngherbr
otheronce
again."
Whathappenedt hen?"
"Dadpushedheraway ,tol
dhershewi l
l nev
erbe
themotherofhi schil
dren,andt hi
star
tcouldn'
t
handlethereject
ion.Shebegunspewi ngall
kindsofnonsenseabouthowdadwasn' ta
goodmanandhowhi schil
drenwer er
ighti
n
l
eav i
nghim, andthisfuckedupbi t
chtoldhim
hewast hereasonwhymum di ed
"Assoonasshesai dt hat,
dadcoul dn'thandl
e
theallegat i
on, anditwasi nthemomentwhen
hishear tgav eupandhehadahear tatt
ack;al
l
becauset hispieceoff il
thcouldn'thandle
rej
ection.Thi sgol ddiggingtrampwant edtobe
aPalmer !Shewant edt obethef uckingqueen
ofthef ami ly!Justbecausef athershowedher
respect,shet houghtshewasf ittotakemy
mum' spl ace; thatshecoul dreplacemymum! "
Brentongr owledbef orethrowinghisheadback
i
nf ury.
Eli
zabet hwhirl
edtofaceHel gawitha
mur derouslook."
Youbi t
ch!"Shechar gedov er
towher ethemai dstood,enraged."Howf ucking
darey oustayhere.Getyourf i
l
thybeingoutof
here!"Eli
zabethyel
led.
Helgatr
embledunderElizabet
h'sgl
arebut
shookherhead."Pl
ease,Ms.Palmer,Ican'
t
l
eav ehi
m..
.I
..
.Il
ovehim,"Helgawhimpered.
El
i
zabet
hrai
sedherhandsl
appedHel
gaacr
oss
thecheeksohar d,Iwasaf r
aidherneckwoul d
break."Howdar eyou?"Eli
zabethshookwi th
rage."Howdar eyouthinkthatyoucanev erbe
aPal mer,oneofus?!Youar ether easonmy
fatheri
sint hegoddamnhospi tal,
andy ouhave
theaudacitytotel
lmet hatyoul ovehim."
"Ilov
ehi m,"Helgasaidf irml
y."I'
velovedhi m
sincethemomenthef i
r stsmiledatme.And
yourmot herwasnot hingbutawal lt
hat
separatedmeandBr ian.Andy ourfatherhasn't
toldyouthis,butaft
ery ourmum di ed,hecame
tome, hecamet omef orcomf ort,andweev en
hadsex.Soy oudon'tgett otellmet hatIam
notsupposet obeher e, becausef oryour
i
nf or
mat i
on,Iwast heref oryourfatherwhen
youwer etoobusywhor i
ngar oundwi ththat
stupidhusbandofy ours, "Hel
gaspat ,
herey es
shini
ngwi thmadness.
Chri
s,whohadbeensil
entt
hroughoutal
lthi
s,
fi
nal
lyrel
easedmyhandandstormedoverto
Hel
ga,andbef
oreanyoneofuscouldpr
ocess
whatwashappeni
ng,
ChrisgrabbedHel
gaby
t
heneckandbegunsqueezi
ng.
"Youdon'tgettot al
kshi taboutmyf ami l
yf r
om
yourfi
lt
hymout h."Hesqueezedhar der ."
You
wanttoknowwhymyf atherrej
ectedy ou,
becauseheknowsexact l
yhowf ilt
hyy ouar e,
howwor thl
essy ourbl oodr eal
lyis.Andno
matterwhaty oudo, you'llneverbeaPal mer ,
becausewomenl i
key ou, onl
ybelongont heir
knees,sucki
ngamanof f;youbelongont he
fl
oorsof or
getdr eami ngaboutat hrone."By
now,Chriswassqueezi ngsohar dthatHel ga's
eyesbegunt orollbacki nherhead.Heonl y
rel
easedherwhenEl izabet hgentlypulledhis
handaway ,whichr esultedinHelgadr oppi ngto
thefl
oor,coughingf orair.
"Comeon, Chr
is.She'
snotwor thi
t.Herbl
oodis
toofi
lt
hy,don'
ttaintyourhandswi
thherblood,
"
Eli
zabet
hsaidsoot hi
ngly,
rubbi
ngherbrot
her'
s
backi
nanat
temptt
ocal
m hi
m down.
SeeingChr islikethisshookmet othecor e.I
reali
zedexact lyhowmuchhel ovedhi sfamil
y,
andhewoul dratherdiethanl etanyonet alkshi
t
abouthisf ami ly
.Ther espectIhadf ormy
husbandgr ewt enfoldsatt hereali
zat i
on.
Howev er,seeinghowhewascapabl eofmur der
kindascaredme, butitalsobroughtasenseof
securit
y;becausenowIwassur ethatnomat t
er
whathappened, hewoul ddoev er
ythinginhis
powert opr otecthischild.
"Getthi
sbit
choutofhere.Idon'twantt
osee
herface,
"Chri
sspatey
eingHel gawithhat
red.
"I
'
llgladlygetridofherf oryou.Securi
ty!
"Keir
an
bell
owed.I naf ewseconds, acoupleofmenin
uniformswal kedov ertowher eHelgawas
sprawled."Takeheraway ."Keir
anpointedat
Helga.Theguar dsgrabbedherbyt hebiceps
andt uggedhert oast andingpositi
onbefore
draggingheraway ,
ignoringherthreat
sand
shr
ieksofpr
otest
.
"Howcomethesecuri
tyguar
ddi
dnotquest
ion
Keir
an?
"IaskedJenny
.
"ThePalmersownthehospit
al,
that
'
swhy,
"she
answered,
looki
ngasanxiousandbewi
l
dered
asIfel
t.
"
Theydo?Chr
isnev
ert
oldme,
"Isai
d.
"Keir
ant ol
dmewhenIv isi
tedNicoafterhi
s
surgery.Hesaid,theywereplanni
ngtobuyt he
hospitalwhereNicogothissurgeryandthey
ownedt hisone."Jennytol
dme.
"Wow,
thesepeopl
ear
efi
l
thyr
ich,
"I
commented.
"Ser
iousl
y.Theyaresofil
thyri
ch,Helga'
sblood
seemscleanerthanthem,"Jennyremarked.
Inearl
ybur
stoutl
aughingathercommentbut
contr
oll
edmysel
fjusti
ntimebecauseIdi
dnot
wanttoberudei
nf r
ontofabunchofpeopl
e.
Instead,
Isnickered,bi
ti
ngmyl i
ptostopmysel
f
from burst
ingintogiggl
es.WhenJennysawme
stif
li
ngmyl aughter,
shesnicker
ed,whichmade
i
tev enmor ediff
icul
tformetocontrolmy
l
aught er
,butImanagedt osucceed.
"
Youar
eter
ri
ble,
"Ij
oked.
"
I'
m sorry
,"Jennyapologizedbef
oreburst
ing
i
ntogiggl
es.Sheclampedahandov erher
mouthtocont r
olhersel
f.Iswear
,Iwasa
t
erri
blewife;
myhusbandwasangr yand
worr
iedabouthissickfather,
andhereIwas
l
aughingatJenny'scomment .
WhenIsawChr isst
ridingovertome, Idi
dmy
besttocont r
olmyself.Hegrabbedmyhand
andwi thoutawordledmeawayf rom Jenny.
Hedr aggedmeof ftoacor nerbef
oresi t
ti
ng
downonachai randpul l
i
ngmeonhi slap.He
pl
acedmyheadonhi sshoulderbeforekissi
ng
myf orehead.
"
Ilov
eyousomuch,
"hesai
dsof
tl
y.
"
Ilov
eyou,
too,
"Ir
epl
i
edt
rut
hful
l
y.
"Doyouwantmet
otel
lyouwhatreall
y
happenedt
omymum?"Hequeried,st
roki
ngmy
cheek.
"Al
lofasudden?Whereisthi
scomingfrom?"
Normall
y,Iwastheonebegginghm t
otell
me
abouthi
sf ami
l
y,butri
ghtnow,hewastheone
off
eri
ng,t
hatseemedst r
angetome.
Hesighed."Ilov
ey ou,l
it
tl
ebird.AndIdon't
wanttheretobeanysecr et
sbet weenus,soI
wanttotell
y oueveryt
hingthatyouwantto
know—thaty oushouldknow,"herepl
ied.
"
Butwhyal
lofasudden?
"Iquest
ioned.
"BecauseIwanttotalkaboutsomethingand
notthinkaboutHel
ga'sbetr
ayalorwor r
yabout
myf atherf
orsomet i
me,"heresponded.
"
Oh.Okay
,yes.Iwantt
oknowwhatr
eal
l
y
happenedt
oyourmum,
"Ist
ated.
"Well.Af t
erElizabethranaway ,y
ouknowi twas
adifficultti
mef ormyf amil
y.Myf atherwas
angryandhur t,mymot herwasscar edand
beggedmyf athert obri
ngLizzybackbuthe
didn'tli
stentoher .Hekeptonsay ing,whoever
l
eav est hePalmer s,t
hepalmersleav ehim/her.
Youhav enoi deahowmuchmymot hercr
ied
andbegged, butf atherpai
dnoheedt oher
pleas.
"I
twasoneoft hoseday swhenmyf atherwas
i
gnoringmymum' stears.Motherwasst andi
ng
onthest ai
rsandpl eadingwithmyf at
herto
bri
ngt hei
ronlydaught erback;t
oaccepther
marri
ageandf orgi
veher .Myfathersnapped
andtriedtopryherhandsof fhi
sarm.He—He
usedabi tmor eforcethannecessary,which
causedmymum t oloseherbalanceandf all
downt hefli
ghtofst ai
rs.Shediedofasev ere
headwoundt hatday .
"
Igasped."OhmyGod, I
'
m sosorr
y,Chri
s.You
tol
dmey ourmum di
edinanacci
dent.
"This
tal
ewassosad, hi
smum diedinatragi
cway .
"I
naway ,thi
swasanacci dent,
myf at
herdidn't
meant odoit,andheregret
shisact i
onsti
llthis
day.Hehasnev erfor
giv
enhimsel foverwhat
happened,andmebei ngtheter
riblesonthatI
am keptbl
ami nghimformymot her'
sdeath."He
ti
ghtenedhisgriponme.
"Weallt
endtobl
amesomeone,i
t'
sal
lri
ght
."I
tr
iedt
omakehimr eal
i
zet
hatwhathedi
dwas
notwrong.
"Noit
'snot
.Myf atherisi
ntheORf ight
ingfor
hisl
i
fe,andifGodf or
bidsomethi
nghappenst o
him,myfather'
slastmemorywillbeofhisson
l
eavi
nghim andbl aminghimforhiswife'
s
deat
h,"hesaidbitt
erl
y.
"
Chri
s,pl
easedon'
tthi
nkl
ikethat
.Yourf
ather
l
ovesyou,andhei
snotupsetwit
hyou.Brent
on
j
usttol
dy ouhowy ourfat
herwasr egr
ett
ing
ki
cki
ngy ouout,t
hisproveshelovesyou,and
par
entsalwaysforgi
vetheirchi
l
dren,nomatter
what,
"Isaidwit
hconv i
cti
on.
"
Myfatheri
snevergoi
ngt
oforgi
veme,"he
mut
ter
ed,hi
seyesshimmeri
ngwithr
egret
.
"Yourfatherlovesy ou,andhehasal ready
forgi
veny ou.ButChr is,IstandbywhatIsaid
before,i
fy ouev erwantt oleavemeandbewi th
yourfami l
y,youcandot hat,
Iwon'tf
orceyouto
staywithme, Iknowy ourf amil
yismor e
i
mpor tant.
"Itoldhim.
"
Don'
tsayt
hat
!Youar
emi
neandIam nev
er
goi
ngtoleaveyou.Nomat t
erwhathappens,
youaremineandwillalwaysbe.Don'tyoudare
sayanyt
hingl
ikethi
sev eragai
n."Histonetol
d
mehemeantev erwor dthathesaid.
"Okay,I
'm sor
ry.Il
ovey
ousomuch,
Chr
is.
"I
kissedhischeek.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
Ali
ce.I
'
m sosor
ry,
"hesai
d.
Ifr
ownedinconfusi
on.Whatwashe
apologi
zi
ngabout?"
Whyareyouapol
ogi
zi
ng?
"
"Idef
endedHelgawhenyoufi
rstt
oldmetofi
re
her.I
'
m sorr
yIdidt
hat.Pl
easefor
giveme,
li
tt
le
peach,
"hesaid.
"Chri
sno.Don' tapol ogize.Youwer eri
ghtto
defendher ,Ihadnor i
ghtt otell
y outokickher
out.Iwasoutofl ine.Ifthereisany onewho
shouldapologize, itshouldbeme; becauseof
me, youhadaf ightwi t
hy ourfather;youhadto
changey ourlif
est yleforme; youhadt oendur
e
mycur iousnat ure,yougotsuchanosywi f
e.I
'm
sorry.
"Iplacedmyheadbackonmyshoul der
.
"
Youar
eperf
ect,
I'
m sogladt
hatmymum t
old
metomar
ryyou,
"heutt
ered.
"What
?Yourmum tol
dyoutomarr
yme?How?
Andisthatwhyy
oumarri
edme?"If
ir
edof
fmy
quest
ions.
Henodded."Mymum sor tofsentmeasi gn
tel
li
ngmetomar ryyouwhenIwentt ohergrave
andaskedher.Andsheispar t
lythereasonwhy
Imarri
edyou.Theotherhalfofthereasonis,I
foundyoui
ntri
guingandsoador able,pl
us
Keir
anli
kedyoual ot
."Hetoldme.
"
Soy
oumar
ri
edmef
orme?
"Iquest
ioned.
"Yes.AndI'
mfuckinggladt hatt
hepeoplewho
arethemostimportantinmyl if
esupport
edmy
decisi
on.
"Withthosewor ds,Hecaptur
edmy
l
ipsinatender,
lovi
ngkiss.
"Uh,Ihatetobreakyouguy sapart
,butdad'
sout
ofsur ger
yandwecanv i
sithiminali
ttl
ewhil
e."
Iturnedmyheadt oseeKei ranst
andingafew
feetaway ,l
ooki
ngreli
eved.
"Howlonghasitbeensincehe'
sbeenoutof
surger
y?"Heasked,r
eli
efevi
denti
nhiseyes.
"Ali
tt
lewhi
l
e.Let
'sgo.
"Keir
ant
urnedand
str
odeaway,l
eav
ingChri
sandIt
of ol
l
ow.
Andnow,Ihadtodeal
wit
hanot
her
conf
ront
ati
on.Godhel
pme.
<3I
nser
t39<3
.
.
.

"
Isdadallr
ight
?"Chri
saskedEl
izabet
hwho
wasstandi
ngoutsi
detheICU.
AssoonasKei ranhadi nformedust hatMr.
Palmerwasoutofsur gery ,
Chrisgrabbedmy
arm andrushedallt
hewayher e.Icouldsee
diff
erentemoti
onsflashinginthoseseagr een
eyes:worry,
rel
ief
,happinessandat adbitof
fear.
Sheshruggedhershoul
ders."
Brent
oni
sinsi
de.
Thedoctorsai
dhecan'thavetoomany
vi
sit
ors.
"
"
Whydi
dn'
tyougo?
"Chr
isenqui
red.
Eli
zabethletoutabitt
erlaugh."Ar
ey oukiddi
ng?
Fatherhatesme,hedoesn' twanttoseeme, "
shesaid.Icouldseethesadnessswi mmi ngin
hereyes.Nomat terhowr ebel
li
oussheact edin
thepast,Eli
zabet
hstil
l y
earnedforherfather
's
l
ov eandacceptance,andIt r
ulywishedforher
sakethatMr .Pal
merf orgaveher.
HenrykissedEl i
zabeth'
sforeheadbef ore
wrappinghi sarmsaroundher .Hehadbar el
y
sai
dany thingthroughoutthetimewehadbeen
here,
butIcoul dseehewaswor r
iedabouthi s
wif
e.AndIcoul dunderst
andt hat
, becauseI
waswor riedaboutmyhusbandaswel l
.
"
Chr
is,
whydon'
tyousi
tdown,
"Isuggest
ed.
"
I'
mfi
ne,Al
i
ce,"heresponded,
hisey
esgl
uedt
o
t
hedoor
softheICU.
"
Youneedtorelax
.Youhaven'
teat
enany
thing,
maybeIshoul
dgetyousomethi
ngtoeat
,"Isai
d.
"IsaidI'
mf ine."hisvoi
cer ose,whi chwas
enoughf ormet oshutup.Noddi ngmyhead, I
perchedonachai rwhichhewasst andi
ngnext
to.Ididn'
twantt oadmi tit
,buthiswor dawoke
ador mantf earinsideofme.Thef earofhim
l
eav i
ngmef orhisfamily.Imean, Iwould
under st
andi fhewoul dleav eme, butraisi
nga
chil
dony ourownwasdi ff
icult
;ifheleftme,it
woul dbeext remelydiffi
cultformeandmy
brother.
Aftertenminutes,
Brentonemer gedfrom the
ICU.Chr i
srushedovertohim whileEl
izabeth
eyedhi m wit
hworry;Kei
ranheldJenny '
shand
ti
ghtly
, hi
sgazenotleavingBrenton.
"
Isheal
lri
ght
?"Chr
isaskedi
mmedi
atel
y.
Brent
onnodded, whi
chresul
tedinallt
he
Palmersbreathingasighofrel
ief
."Yes,hei
s
fi
ne,buthecan'tdealwithst
ress,sowehaveto
takei
teasywi thhim.Andheshoul dnotwork
anymore,whichmeansIwi ll
best eppi
nginto
takehispl
ace."BrentoneyedElizabet
h."He
want st
oseey ou.Bothofy ou.Itol
dhimy ou
werehereandhewi shestoseey ou.Butplease
don'tdoorsayany t
hingthatwoul dupsethim,"
heinstr
ucted.
Eli
zabethl
ookedasi fshecoul dn'
tbel
ievewhat
shewashear i
ng.Thedi sbeli
efshi
ninginher
eyeswasenoughpr oof ,andwhenshest ayed
rootedtoherspot
,itjusttol
dmeexact l
yhow
surpri
sedshereal
lywas.
HenrynudgedEli
zabet
hal i
tt
letogetherto
mov e,andbot
hofthem shuff
ledi
nside,
leavi
ng
therestofuswonderi
nghowMrPal merwas
doing.
"Chr
is,Keir
an.Youguysarenext
.OnceLi
zzy
andHenr ycomeback,thendadwantst
osee
you.
"Brentonsaid.Chr
isandKeir
annodded
simult
aneously.
Mymi
ndwenti
ntoov
erdr
iveasIcont
empl
ated
thepossibili
tiesofHiml eavingme.Ev enthough
hehadj ustt oldmethathewoul dneverleave
me, Icouldn'tbel
ievethat;especial
lyaft
er
Brentontoldust hatwemustnotdoany t
hingto
upsetMr .Pal mer.Ri
ghtnow, Mr.Palmerhadall
thepower ;ifhewant ed,hewoul dtellhi
mt o
l
eav eme, andhewoul ddoj ustthatbecausehe
wouldnotwantt oupsethi sdad.
Whydon'
tyoul
eavehim?It
'l
lbeeasi
erf
ory
ou.
Nopai
n.Mysubconsci
oussuggest
ed.
I
fitwasthateasy
,Iwoul
d'
vedonei
tagesago.
ButIl
ovehim.
Beindependentli
key ouwerebefore.I
fyou
can'
tleavehi
m, atleastdon'
tdependonhim
toomuch.
"
Youokay
?"Jennyasked,
sit
ti
ngbesi
deme.
InoddedandglancedupatChri
swhowasstil
l
star
ingatthedoor
soft heI
CU."
Yeah.I
'
m al
l
ri
ght,whataboutyou?
"
"
Iam fr
eaki
ngout.
"JennyturnedtoseeKei ran,
whowasmessingwithhiscellphone."Ihavea
f
eel
ingMr.Pal
merisgoingtot el
lKeir
ant o
l
eaveme."
Myey eswidened.Icouldn'tbel
iev
eJennywas
havi
ngthesamet houghtsasme.Justlikeme,
shewasaf r
aidoflosingthel ov
eofherl
ife.And
j
ustli
keme, Idoubtedshecoul ddoanythingto
prev
entthatfrom happening.
"Tobehonest,Iam hav
ingthesamethought
s,"
Iconfessed,
makingsuremyv oi
cewaslow
enoughsoChr i
scouldnothearme.
"
Doyouwantt ogotothebat
hroom,
wecant
alk
t
her
e,"Jennysuggest
ed.
Noddi
ngmyheadIstoodup."Chr
is,
Iam goi
ng
t
ousether
est
room."Itol
dhim.
"
Alr
ight
,butmakesur
eyouhur
ryback,
"he
r
epl
ied.
JennyandIwentt
other
est
room t
otal
kin
pri
vat
e.Andwhenweent er
edthebathroom,
I
act
uall
yrel
axed.NowIcoul
dtalkf
reely
.
"Keir
ani
sgoingt
oleav
eme,isn'
the?"Jenny
saidassoonast
hebathr
oom doorshutbehi
nd
us.
"No,heisn't
.Kei
ranlov
esyouandwillnev
er
l
eavey ou."OhhowIwantedtotel
lherabout
Keir
anf or
cinghertomarr
yhim;butIcoul
dn'
t.
"NoAli
ce,youdon'tunder
stand.Yousee, Chri
s
i
smar r
iedtoyou,sohewi l
lneverleaveyou,but
Keir
anandIarenotmar ri
ed.Whati fMr.Palmer
tel
l
sKeirantomarryabetterwomant hanme? "
Jennyl
ookedgenui nel
yworri
ed.
"I
fhecantel
lKei
rant
omarr
ysomeoneelse,
he
cantel
lChri
stodi
vor
cemeaswel
l,
"Ist
ated.
"
Chri
slovesyout
oomucht
oleav
eyou,
"she
r
esponded.
"
Hemightsayhelovesme, buthi
sfamil
yis
mor
eimportant
.Iwouldn'
tstophimifhelef
t
mef
orhi
sfami
l
y."It
oldher
.
"
Youar
epr
egnantwit
hhisbaby
,tr
ustme,
he
wi
ll
nev
erl
eav
ey ou,
"shear
gued.
Isi
ghed."
Youareworr
yingaboutnot
hing.
Kei
ranlov
esyou,
"Ir
epli
ed.
"
Doyouthi
nkhelov
esmeenought
ofi
ghtt
his
wor
ldf
orme?"Sheaskedme.
Inodded."
Idon'
tthi
nk,
Iknow.
"
"
Howareyousosur
e?"Shequest
ioned,
hope
l
i
ght
ingupherey
es.
"
Ijustdo,
"Ir
epl
i
ed.
Jennynodded."
Idon'
tknowwhattobel
i
eve.
ButIdon'
tthi
nkIhavealotoft
ime,
weshould
getgoi
ngbeforeKei
ranandChri
scomehere.
"
"
Yeah.I
'
m pr
ett
ysur
e,I
'
m pushi
ngt
hesoon
l
imit
,"Iagr
eed,
andtogetherwelef
tthe
bat
hroom andwentbacktoKeir
anandChr
is.
Bothofthem wer eindeepconv er
sati
onwhen
wer et
urned.Howev er,whatcaughtmy
att
enti
onwasEl izabeth,whowassi tt
ingwit
h
Henry,steadyt
earsf al
li
ngfrom hereyes.I
fr
ownedi nconfusion;whywasshecr yi
ng?
"Whathappened?
"Jennyasked,
addr
essi
ngno
oneyetevery
one.
Keiranshookhisheadwhichwasani
ndicat
ion
thathewouldexplai
nlat
er.Wit
hafi
nalnod,
Chrisheadedtowardsme.
"
Come.Fat
herwant
stoseeus,
"hesai
d.
"
Us?
"Sur
elyhedi
dn'
tmeanmeandhi
m.
"
Yeah.YouandI
.Come,
wemustnotmakehi
m
wai
t,
"hestat
ed.
"Wait
.Arey
ousur
ethathewant
stoseeme?
"I
asked.
"Ofcour
se.Brent
onjustsai
dthataft
er
Eli
zabet
h,Iwouldgoandseedad,"hesai
d.
"
Yes,butyoushoul
dgoal
one.I
'
m sureyour
f
atherdoesnotwantt
oseeme."It
oldhi
m.
Hef r
owned."Don'tberi
dicul
ous.Ofcoursehe
wantstoseey ou.Come,wheny ou'l
lmeethim
thenyou'
llknow."hebeguntuggingmeal ong,
butIresi
sted.
"No.Chris,
please.Iknowforafactt
hatyour
fatherdoesnotwantt oseeme.Hehatesme.
Pleasegowi thoutme.I'
l
lwaitf
oryouher
e,"I
stated.
"No.Iam notgoi
ngi
nsi
dewi
thouty
ou,
"He
stat
ed.
"Don'tbesil
l
y,Chr
is.Brentonjustsaidwe
shouldnotdoanythingthatwoul dupsety
our
father,
andmebei ngtherewillupsethi
m.So
please,go.I
'l
lwai
there,"Isai
df i
rmly.
Hesighed."Iam goi
ngt ogoi
nt here,andIwi
l
l
t
ell
dadt hatI'
m bri
ngingyouinsidetomeethi
m,
t
heny ou'
llcome,isthatcl
ear
? "
Ishookmyhead."Iwon'tcomei
fmypresence
will
upsethi
m.Iam notgoingt
obethecauseof
hishear
tatt
ack,
"Irepl
i
ed.
Hegav emealookf i
ll
edwi
thfrustr
ati
on,butI
di
dnotbudge.Mr .Pal
meral
readyhatedme, I
di
dnotneedanotherPalmerhati
ngme; and
upseti
ngtheheadofthePal
merf amil
ywasnot
goingtohel
p.
"St
ayher
e,"Chri
sorder
edbefor
etur
ningar
ound
andmarchingof
ftotheICU.
Glanci ngatEl izabet
hasshewi pedawayher
tear shadmewonder ingjustwhathappenedto
her .Wasshecr yi
ngtearsofhappiness?Or
wer et hoset earsofsorrow?Di dMr.Palmer
forgiv eher,orwashest i
llangrybecauseshe
ruinedhi sreput ati
oninthef amil
y?IwishedI
hadt heli
bert ytoask,butIknewIhadnor i
ght
toint erf
ere.
"
No.I
'
m notgoi
ngi
nther
ewi
thy
ou,
Kei
ran.You
go,Chrisisther
easwell.
"IheardJennysayi
ng.
Iturnedaroundtoseethetwooft hem ar
gui
ng
i
nmucht hesamewayasChr isandIwere
doingjustacoupleofminutesago.
"I
fy out hinkI'
m goingtoseemyf atherwithout
you, theny ouareverymuchmi staken,"Keiran
stated, gi
v i
ngJennyahar dlook.Wasi tcrazyof
met hinkthatthelookKeir
anwasgi vingJenny
feltasi fhewant edJennytosubmi t
?
"
Kei
ran—"JennybeganbutKei
rancutherof
f.
"
Noar gument s.Youaregoi
ngtowi thmei nthe
I
CU,ev enifIhav et
odragyouthere."Kei
ran'
s
wor
dsl eftnor oom f
orar
gument s.Isuddenl
y
wi
shedIcoul dr unaway,
becauseIf el
tli
keI
wasintrudi
ng.
Nosoonerhadthatthoughtent
eredmymi nd
t
hatIf
eltahandclamponmybi cep.Il
ookedup
t
oseeChrisstandi
ng,hisgri
ponmyar m.
"
What
'swr
ong?Whyar
eyoubacksosoon?
"I
quest
ioned.
"
Fat
herwantstoseeyou.
"Wit
houtwai
ti
ngf
or
metorepl
y,hedr
aggedmeinsi
detheI
CU.
"
Don'
tl
iet
ome.Iknowy
ourf
atherdoesn'
twant
t
oseeme."
"Actual
lyl
itt
lefai
ry,
I'
m notlyi
ng.Dadtol
dme
specifi
cal
lythathewantstoseey ou,
"He
repli
ed,aswepassedanumberofbedsal l
hiddenbehindwhitecurt
ains.
MaybeMr.Palmeri
str
yingt
ogivehimsel
f
anot
herhear
tatt
ackbyaski
ngtomeethim.
MaybeHelgahasmadehim sui
cidal
.
Chri
sstoppedwhenwer eachedthefourt
hbed
ontheri
ght .Myey esl
andedonMr .Pal
merwho
wassit
tingupi nbed,hookedt oabunchof
weir
dwir es.Helookedpaleandfr ai
l
,notli
ke
thepower f
ulmanIhadseent helastti
mewhen
hewast hreateni
ngChris.
"
Hel
l
oAl
i
ce,
"Mr
.Pal
mergr
eet
ed,
hisv
oice
gr
avel
l
y.
"
Hel
l
oMr
.Pal
mer
"Ir
epl
i
edsof
tl
y.
"
Chri
s.Wi
l
lyoupleasegi
veussomepri
vacy
.I
wantt
odi
scusssomethi
ngwit
hAli
ce,
"hesaid.
No,no,Ididnotwantt obealonewit
hhim.I
gaveChrisapleadinglook,
tell
i
nghimthrough
myey eshowIdi dnotwanthimt ol
eaveme.
Butmyhusbandchoset hatmomenttobe
obl
ivi
oust omypl eas.Bl
oodyhusband!
Noddinghishead,
hest
eppedback."
I'
llbejusta
f
ewf eetaway,
"hemurmuredbef
oreleavi
ng.
"
Comehereandsit
,Ali
ce,
"Mr
.Palmer
i
nst
ruct
edaf
terChri
swasgone.
Everyt
hingi
nmewast el
li
ngmet or uninthe
opposit
edirection,butIdidashesai dand
perchedont hebedbesi dehim.Mr .Palmer
grabbedmyhandi nbot hofhisgently,awarm
smileonhisf ace.Hisskinfel
tpapert hi
nbuthis
eyeshadahappyspar kl
e.
"
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng,
Mr.Pal
mer
?"Iasked.
"I
'
m muchbett
ernow,honey.Thankyou.
"He
gavemyhandasoftsqueeze."
Doy ouknow
whatIcal
l
edyouherefor
?"
"
Uh—Youwantmet
oleav
eyourson?
"Iguessed.
Hesmi l
edsadlybefor
eshaki nghi shead." No
dear,quit
etheoppositeact uall
y.Chrisloves
you,andy ouarehishappiness.Iwaswr ongto
takehishappinessaway,andImadet hewor st
mistakeofmyl if
ewhenIchosepr ideov er
family.Iwantyoutopromi semet haty ouwill
neverleavemyson.Youmakehi m happy ,andI
wanty outobewi thhi
mf or ever,
"hesai d.
"
Butyouwantedabett
erwomanforhi
m,"I
r
esponded.Washeseri
ous?Di
dhereal
lywant
metostaywit
hChri
s?
Helaughedbitter
ly."
LikeIsai
d,Ichosepri
de
overf
ami l
y.Ichosemyr eputat
ionovermy
chi
ldr
en'shappiness;andIregr
etit,
Ali
ce.So
pl
easepromisemeyouwon' tev
erl
eav
emyson,
nomatterhowdi
ff
icul
titbecomes.
"
Ihadnoideawhattosay.Iwasecst ati
cthatMr.
Palmerwasadmi t
ti
ngthefactthathewas
wrong,butIwassti
ll
hesi
tant.Howev er
,despit
e
al
lthi
s,IknewthatIl
ovedChr i
sandwoul dstay
wit
hhim nomat t
erwhat.
"Il
oveyourson.Ilovehi
m, andIpromiseyou
thatIam nevergoi
ngtoleavehim, nomat
ter
howdi f
fi
culti
tbecomes,
"Ipr omised.
Mr.Pal
merkissedthetopofmyhand, ajoy
ous
smil
eonhisface."
Thanky ou.Thankyouso
much,dear
.Andonel astt
hingbefor
eIcall
Chri
sbackhere.
"Itensedathiswords.What
el
sedidhewanttosayt ome?
"Iam sorr
y."Nowt hatsurpri
sedme." For
ever
y t
hingthatIdid,forevery
thingIsai
dtoyou.
I'
mv erysorry
.Noonedeser vedsuchharsh
words.Pleaseforgiveme, dear.
"Thesincer
it
y
shi
mmer i
nginhi
sgazewasast
oundi
ng.Was
hereal
l
ythesamemanwhoabusedmei nfr
ont
oft
hewhol ef
amil
y?
Yes.Hel
lyes!
"Mr.Pal
mer.
..
"Ihadnoi
deawhattosay.Hehad
abusedme.HowcouldIputt
hatal
lbehi
ndme
sosoon.
"I
t'
sallr
ight,dear.Youdon' thavetosay
anyt
hing.Iknowf or gi
vingmewi ll
notcome
easy,
andf rankly
, Idon'tevendeservei
t.ButI
dowanty out oknowt hatItr
ulyam sor
ryfor
ever
ythi
ng,andwhent hetimecomes, youcan
for
giveme, thati
st otall
yupt oyou.
"AndIwantyout oknow, t
hatr
egardl
essoft he
factt
hatyouforgivemeornot,Iacceptyounot
onlyasmydaught er-
in-
lawbutasmydaught er.
IdonotonlyacceptyouasChr i
s'
swi f
e,Iaccept
youasaPal mer.
"
Thosewor
dshadmewonder
ingwhet
herIwas
dreami ngornot .Heacceptedme.Mr .Pal
mer
fi
nallyaccept edmeasf amily
.Icouldnot
beli
ev eit.Ithoughtitwouldbeimpossiblet
o
gainhisaccept ance,butIhaddoneit.Ormaybe
Chrisdidi t,
sincehef oughthisf
atherforme.
Butbot tom line;Mr.Palmeracceptedmeas
Chris'
swi f
e.
"
Th—Thanky
ou,
Mr.Pal
mer
"Iut
ter
ed.
"Ishoul
dthanky
ouf
orcomi
ngt
oseeme,
"he
said.
"Ar
ey ouguysf
ini
shed?
"Chr
isasked,
hisv
oice
soundingf
araway.
"
Yesson,y
oucancomebacknow,
"Mr
.Pal
mer
r
epl
ied.
I
nani nst
ant,Chri
sappearedbesideme.When
hesawmyhandencasedi nMr .Pal
mer '
sa
happysmilegracedhishandsomef ace.Chr
is
bentdownandki ssedmyf or
ehead.
"
Didy
ouguy
shav
eagoodchat
?"Chr
isenqui
red.
Mr.Pal
mernodded."
Yeswedid,son.Butdon'
t
askyourwi
fewhatwetal
kedabout,i
t'
s
bet
weenmeandher .
"
Chr
ischuckled."Al
lri
ght
,I'
l
ltr
ytokeepmy
cur
iosi
tyatbay."Hewinkedatme.
Mr.Pal
merlaughedoutl
oud."
Youdot
hat
.Now
wherear
eKeiranandJenny
?Iwoul
dli
ket
osee
t
hem now,"hesai
d.
Chri
snoddedbeforepul
li
ngmeupand
wrappi
nghisarm ar
oundme."I'
lll
etthem know
youwishtoseethem.I'
l
lseeyousoon. "Wit
h
that
,Chr
isandIwalkedoutoftheICU.
"
Chr
is?
"It
ri
edt
ogai
nhi
sat
tent
ion.
"
Yesl
i
ttl
ebi
rd?
"
"Hav
ey ou—hav
eyouf
orgi
veny
ourf
ather
?"I
quer
ied.
Henodded."
Yes,
Ihave.Becauseheaccept
ed
you,
andthati
sal
lIwanted,
"heanswered.
"Wasthatyouronl
ypr
obl
em wi
thhi
m?"I
quest
ioned.
Henoddedagai
n."Yes.Ir
efusetoaccept
anyonewhodoesnotacceptmywi f
e.Ilov
ey ou,
andIam goi
ngtomakesur ethewholeworld
knowsit
."
Ichuckl
ed."
Arey
ousur
e?"
"I
tdoesn'
treall
ymatteri
fthewhol
eworld
knowsit,Ij
ustneedtomakesurethaty
ouknow
i
t,buti
fthewhol eworl
dknowsitt
henthat
's
j
ustaplus."
Ismi
l
edathi
m."
Ilov
eyou.
"
"
AndIl
ovey
ou,
"her
epl
i
ed
<3I
nser
t40<3
.
.
.
2y
ear
slat
er.
Ieyedthedini
ngt ablewhichwasf i
ll
edwith
snacks,wi
thhappi ness.Icoul
dn'
twaitfort
he
other
stoar r
ive.Mydaught erwasgoingtotur
n
onetoday,andt heelati
onthatIf
eltwasbeyond
humancompr ehension.
"Li
tt
lebi
rd,whyareyoust
andi
ngher
e?"Chr
is
askedsoft
ly,
comingupbehi
ndme,giv
ingmea
peckonthecheek.
"
Iam justmakingsur
ethatev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne,
"I
r
epl
ied,smil
ingupatmyhusband.
"Ever
ythi
ngi
sperfect
."Hewr
appedhi
sar
ms
aroundmefrom behi
nd.
"
Ist
hecakeher
e?"Ienqui
red.
"Yes.Ijustgaveitt
othemaidsoshecanputi
t
i
nt herefri
gerat
or.Wherei
smydaughter
?"He
enquired.
"
Wit
hherauntJenny
.Shei
sget
ti
ngherr
eady
.
Wheni
syourf
athercomi
ng?
"Iquest
ioned.
"
He'
llbeher
einaboutt
went
yminut
es,atleast
t
hat
'swhatBrent
ontol
dme,
"heanswered.
"Yourfat
hershoul
dtakeiteasynow.Let
Brentonhandl
ethi
ngs,"Ist
ated.
"Dadlikesworking,keepshi
m busyand
dist
racted.Bytheway ,wher
eisJack?"He
l
ookedar oundf orourson.
"Yoursoni
spl
ayi
ngwi
thy
ourot
herson.
"It
old
him wit
hasmi
le.
"Abi
oyei
shappyhere,i
sn'
the?"Ahappyspar
kle
l
itupChr
is'
seyesatthementi
onofouradopted
son.
Inodded."Hecall
sy oudadandmemum, I
'l
lsay
he'
sprettyhappyhere.Ij
usthopeJackdoesn'
t
messuphi sclot
hes."WhenAbioyeandJack
wereplayi
ngtogether,t
hei
rclot
heswerebound
togetdir
ty.
"
Don'
twor
ry.Jacki
sabi
gboy
,"hest
ated.
"
Heisonl
ytwoandhalfy
earsold,
justafew
mont
hsyoungert
hanAbioy
e,andyou'r
etel
li
ng
mehe'
sabigboy,
"Iar
gued.
"Don'twor
ry,
li
ttl
efai
ry.Theki
dswi
l
lbef
ine.
"He
kissedmyforehead.
"Ihopeso."Asuddenthoughtstr
uckme,
somet hi
ngIshoul
d'v
easkedhi m al
ongt
ime
ago."Chri
s?"
"
Yesl
i
ttl
epeach?
"
"
Whydi
dyounameoursonAbi
oye?
"Iasked.
"BecauseAbi
oyemeanssonofroy
alt
y..
.and
sinceweweregoingt
oadopthi
m,Ithoughtthe
namef i
t.
"Hetol
dme.
"
Abi
oyemeanssonofr
oyal
ty?
"Idi
dnotknow
t
hat
.
Henodded."
Yes,i
tdoes.Iwaslooki
ngfor
namesonGooglewhenIf oundi
t,
"hesaid.
"
Oh.
"Wasal
lIcoul
dsay
.
"Alr
ight
.HereyougoAli
ce,y
ourdaughteri
s
readyforherbi
rt
hdaypar
ty,
"Jennysai
d,hol
ding
Lil
yinherarms.
Chri
st ookagiggli
ngLilyf
rom Jennybefor
e
huggingherclose.JennyhaddressedLil
yina
babybl uepoofydressandaddedamat chi
ng
headbandonherhead.Si nceLil
yhadjust
tur
nedone, sheonlyhadasmal lamountof
str
awber rybl
ondehaironhead.
"Herei
smybi rt
hdaygirl
."Chriskissedher
chubbycheek.Li
ly,
inresponse, wrappedher
ti
nyarmsaroundhisneck, buryi
ngherf acei
nit.
Theloveshi
ninginChris'
sey esforourdaughter
hadmyhear tswel
li
ngwi thjoy.Palmerorno
Palmer,hewouldgivehisli
feforhisdaughter
.
"
Thanky
ouJennyf
ordr
essi
ngherup.
"It
oldher
.
"Noproblem,Il
ovedoingit
.Haveyouseenmy
daughterany
where?"Jennyasked,
looki
ng
ar
oundf
orheroney
earol
ddaught
er.
Ismil
edwhenIsawRose,Jenny'
sdaughter
walki
ngovert
oJenny
."Theresheis.
"Ipoi
nted
att
helit
tl
egir
l.
Reli
efshonethroughJenny
'seyesasshebent
downandpi ckedupRose."Wherehaveyou
been,Rosemarie?Andwhereisdaddy
? "She
askedtheli
ttl
egirl
.
"
Mama,
dadahome,
"Rosesai
d.
"I
she?"Jennytur
nedt
oChr
is."
IsKei
ranhome?
"
Shequesti
oned.
"Yeshei s."I
twasKeiranwhoanswer ed,ashe
j
oi nedusinthedini
ngr oom,gi
vingJennyahug
from behind."Howarey ou,
str
awberry?"Kei
ran
kissedJenny '
stempl
e.
"
I'
m al
lri
ght
.Whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
"Sheasked.
"Iwastry
ingtof
indtheperf
ectpr
esentformy
niece,
itt
akesti
me,"Kei
rananswered.
"
Wher
eisEl
i
zabet
h?"Iquest
ioned.
"Sheisonherway.Whydon'tyour
elax
.
Every
thi
nglooksper
fect
,"Chri
ssai
d.
"I
'
llrel
axwhenev erybodywi l
lbehereandmy
daughter'
sbir
thdaywi l
lpasswi t
houtany
i
ncidents,
"Ist
ated,glari
ngatt hecl
ock,which
seemedt oberunningatt hespeedoflight
.
"
Ever
ybodyi
sn'ther
eyet
?"Ni
coasked,
steppi
ng
i
nsi
dethedi
ningroom.
"
No!Theyar
elat
e,"Ianswer
edmyl
i
ttl
ebr
other
.
"I
t'salri
ght,l
it
tl
esist
er,ev
erythingwi l
lgo
smoot hly,
"Brentonsai
d,saunteringinsi
dethe
diningroom foll
owedbyMr .Pal merhimself
.
Event houghMr .Pal
merhadahear tatt
acktwo
year sago,helookedheal
thy;therewasnosi gn
oft hepale,ol
dmanwhoIv isi
tedi ntheICU.
Thatday
, Mr.Pal
merhadfor
givenall
his
chi
ldr
en,andhadreuni
tedhi
sfamilyonceagai
n.
AndIbel
ievedhewashappywithhisdecisi
on.
Every
timeLizzywoul dcomemeethi m, he
wouldhav ethebiggestsmileonhisface;and
hi
sloveforhi sgrandchil
drenwas
uncondit
ional.Helovedeverysingl
eoneoft he
ki
ds,evenAbi oye,andmadesur eeverybody
wastreatedequal l
y.Nolongerwashet heman
whov al
uedst atusandweal t
h,butamanwho
nowv al
uedf ami l
yandlove.
"Dad!"Chri
sandKeiransaidatthesameti
me,
quicklygi
vi
ngthei
rfatherahug.Chri
shanded
Lil
yov ert
omebef or
egoi ngovertohi
m.
"Youknow.Iam sogladthatbi
tchHelgai
sout
ofthei
rli
ves,
"Jennysaidtome,eyei
ngMr.
Palmerconver
singwithhi
ssons.
"Tel
lmeabouti t.Youhav enoideahowhappyI
am thatsheisn'
ther eanymore,
"Iagreed.Af
ter
thepoli
cehadt akenHel gaaway ,
Keiranmade
surethatshewoul dn'tgetemployment
anywhereelse,andhadherdr iv
enof ftoGod
knowswher e.
OnceHel gawasoutoft hepictur
e,thebanon
thefl
oorssev enandabov ewasfinall
ylif
ted.
SinceEli
zabethwasnol ongerasor esubjectfor
thefamily,
thewholecastlewasnowopent o
everyoneinthefamily
.Thegoodt hatthingthat
cameoutofHel ga'
sdepartur
ewast hef actthat
thePalmersnol ongertr
ustedthestaffas
bli
ndlyastheyhadbeenf orthepasty ears.
"Whyareyoul
adi
esst
andingthere?Comeand
giv
ethisol
dmanahug,"Mr.Palmerorder
ed
soft
ly.
Shakingmyhead, IgaveLil
ybackt oChris,
beforeIwentovertohim andwhenMr .Palmer
wrappedhisarmsar oundme,Ifeltli
keitwas
myownf at
herhuggingme.Iremember edmy
father
'shugstobewar m andcomf ort
ing,and
thatwasexactl
yhowIf elti
nMr .Palmer'sarms.
"
Wher
ear
emygr
andchi
l
dren?
"Heaskedme.
"
Wel
l
,onei
swi
thherf
ather
,andt
heot
hert
wo
areplay
ingwi
theachot
her
.Theyshoul
dbe
heresoon,
"Ir
epl
ied.
"Good,mycar
'st
runki
sful
lwi
thgif
ts,
"hesai
d
befor
erel
easi
ngmeandengul
fingJennyi
na
bearhug.
"Grandpa!
"AbioyeandJacksonrantowards
him,whobar el
yhadti
met orel
easeJenny
beforebothofmysonscapt ur
edhislegs.
Mr.Pal
merchuckl
ed,bendingdownunt i
lhe
waseyelevel
l
edwit
hAbi oyeandJack.Bot hthe
boyswereabl
etohugtheirgrandf
atherproperl
y
oncehewasdownonhi sknees.
"Herear
emypr i
nces.Wher
ehav
eyout
wo
been?"Heaskedtheboy
s.
"Gr
andpa,
AbiandIwer
epl
ayi
ng,
"Jack
answer
edexci
tedl
y.
"
Play
ingwhat
?"
"
Cops!
"Abi
oyeannounced.
"Yeah!
"Jacksonagreed."
Grandpa,
whatdi
dyou
bri
ngme? "Heasked.
"Igotal
otofpr
esent
sfort
hebot
hofy
ou.
"Mr
.
Palmersmil
edatt
heboys.
Iwassur pr
isedt hathehadaccept edAbioyeso
easil
y.WhenChr ishadannouncedt hatwe
wouldbeadopt ingababy ,IthoughtMr .Pal
mer
wouldprotestorwoul dthreatentoki ckChri
s
out,buthedidn' tdoanyoft hoset hings.He
acceptedChr i
s'sandmydeci si
onandev en
treat
edAbioy easi fhewasr eall
ypar tofthe
family
.Idoubt edAbi oyewoul dev erwonder
abouthisrealf ami l
y, hewasget tingsomuch
l
ov eoverhere, Ididn'tthi
nki twoul dbepossibl
e
thathewoul dev erconsi dert hefactthathewas
adopted.
Asmi lespr
eadacrossmyl i
psasElizabeth
enter
edwi t
hHenryandhert hr
eekids.Final
ly
,
everybodywashere,nowwecoul dgett heso-
call
edpartyst
art
ed.Elizabeth'
sdaughterwas
l
ookingador
abl
einayell
owdress,whil
eher
sonswerewear
ingmatchi
ngoutfi
ts.
"
Wherei
sthebi
rt
hdaygi
rl
?"Li
zzyasked,bef
ore
t
aki
ngLi
lyfr
om meandgi
vinghercheekakiss.
"Hell
oEl i
zabet
h,"Isaid,
watchi
ngev
eryone
gatheredaround,laughi
ngandconv
ersi
ngwit
h
eachot her.
El
izabethroll
edhereyes."Cany oupl
easecal
l
meLi zzy.I
t'
sbeentwoy earsandy oust
il
lcal
l
mebymyf ullname.
"Shegr innedatmy
daughter.
"El
i
zabethi
syourname,
"Iexpl
ainedwi
tha
shrug.
"Yourmummywil
lnev
erlearn,
isn'
tthatr
ight
?"
ShegaveLi
l
yanot
herkiss.
"
Hey!Noneedt
otel
lmydaught
ert
hat
."I
f
rowned.
"
Youcanf
orgetherf
ort
her
estoft
heev
eni
ng,
she'
smi
nenow.
"El
i
zabet
htol
dme.
"Andwhatabouty
ourkids?
"Ir
aisedmy
eyebr
owsinquesti
on.
"
Youcanwat chthem."El
izabethf
acedJenny.
"
Givemey ourdaught
er.Thesetwogir
lsare
minef
ortheev eni
ng,
"shestated,
eyei
ngRose
wi
thaff
ection.
"Whyareyouaft
erthedaught
ers,
whynott
he
boys?
"Jennyasked.
Eli
zabethscof
fed."Arey
oukidding?
!Girl
sare
fun.Pl
usit'
snicetoseegir
lsi
nt hePalmer
famil
y,Iswear
, t
hisfami
lyi
sfil
ledwithboys.
"
"
Yeah.Thef
ami
l
ycur
se,
"Jennyacknowl
edged.
"Yes.Butl
uckyforyou,y
oumanagedt obreak
thefamil
ycurse.
"Eli
zabethlookedatme."Sorr
y
Ali
ce.Butyoucouldnotbreakthecurse.You
gotaboyf i
rst
."
"
Sodi
dyou.
"Ipout
ed.
"Yeahwel
lIhav
ePalmerbl
oodinme,
Iwas
boundtogetaboy
,"El
i
zabet
hrepl
i
ed.
"That—That
—"Ihadnoret
ortfort
hat
,soI
sett
ledforadi
sappr
ovi
nglook.
"Hey.Whydon'ty
ougoandt ell
themai
dsto
bri
ngthecake.Every
bodyishere,
sowhynot
cutthecake?
"Chrissuggest
ed.
Gi
vingtheothersaglance,Inodded."
Yes
al
ri
ght,
I'l
lgoandt el
lthem t
obr i
ngthecake.
"
Wit
honel astl
ookatt heki
ds,tomakesur et
hey
wereal
l r
ight
,Iheadedt ot
hekitchen.
WhenIspott
edacoupleofmaidsfussi
ng
aroundwi
thabunchofgl
asses,Ical
ledout
thei
rnamestogett
hei
ratt
enti
on.
"
Abbie?Anne?
"Theybot hlookedatme,
f
orgett
ingt
heglasses."
Cany oupleasebr
ing
t
hecakeoutnow,"Irequested.
"Yesofcour
se,Mrs.Pal
mer.We'l
lbr
ingt
he
cakeimmediat
ely
,"Abbi
erepl
iedwit
hasmall
smi
l
e.
"Thankyou.
"Wit
hasmil
e,Ist
rodeoutoft
he
kit
chenandbacktot
hedi
ningroom.
"
Whenwi
l
lthecakecome?
"Jennyenqui
red.
"
Why
?Hungr
yal
ready
?"Ichuckl
ed.
"
Yes.I
'
m pr
egnant
,"shedef
ended.
"
Ofcour
se.For
giv
emyi
gnor
ance,
"It
eased.
"Whyareyout
easi
ngmywi fe,
li
tt
lemushroom?
"
Kei
rancameover,
kissi
ngJennyonthel
ips.
"
I'
m hungr
y."Jennyt
oldKei
ran.
"I
t'
sal
ri
ght,st
rawber
ry.Whydon'
tyougoand
hel
pyoursel
ftosomesnacks,
"hesuggest
ed.
"Buti
twouldberudeinf
rontofsomany
peopl
e,"sher
esponded.
"
Thoserulesdon'
tappl
ytoy
ou.Come,
I'
ll
eat
wi
thyou."
"
Wai
tfort
womi
nut
es,
thecakei
sal
mosther
e,"
Ist
ated.
"Li
stent
oAli
ce.We'l
lwaitf
ort
womi
nut
es,
"
Jennysai
dtoherhusband.
AssoonasJennyf i
nishedspeaki ng,themai ds
broughtoutt hecake, andt hesightofi thadmy
mout hwat eri
ng.Thecakewasf ourti
ered,whi t
e
chocol at
ecake; itl
ookedf itforapr i
ncess, but
thenagai n,Li
lywasnol esst hanapr i
ncess; she
rul
edourhear ts.AbbieandAnnepl acedt he
cakeont hediningtabl ebef oretaki
ngt heir
l
eav e.Almosti mmedi at ely,t
hepal merst ook
thei
rr especti
veseat s.Si ncet headdit
ionoft he
chil
dren, Chri
shador der edabi ggerdiningt able,
whichseat edev eryonecomf ort
ablyandnoone
wasl eftout.
"Al
right
,whereismydaughter.It
'sti
metocut
thecake."Chri
sst
oodupandspot t
edLil
y
sit
ti
ngonEl i
zabet
h'sl
ap."
Lizzy,giv
ememy
daughterback.
"Hewentovert oherandpicked
ourdaughterup."
ComeAlice.It'
sti
metocut
t
hecake.
"
Istoodupandwentov ertowher eChr i
swas
standingwithLil
yinhi sarmi nfr
ontoft hecake,
holdingaknifewithhisfreehand.Pl acingmy
handov erhis,weslidtheknifethrought hecake,
whi l
ethePalmerssangt hetradi
tionalHappy
Birthdaysong.Whent hecakewascut ,Chri
s
gav eLil
yakissont hecheek, beforehe
transfer
redherovert oMr .Palmer,whil
eIcut
thecakef orever
yone.
"
Fir
stsli
cei
sforyou,Jenny
."Isl
i
dthepl
ateover
t
oher,andsheduginli
keshehadbeenstar
ving
f
ordays.
"Daddy,Iwantahotai
rbal
l
oonf ormybir
thday,
"
Jacksonstated,
causi
ngBrent
ontoburstout
l
aughing.
"
Brent
?Di
dyouputhi
m upt
othi
s?"Chr
isasked.
"
Ohno.I
'
minnocent
,"Br
ent
onr
epl
i
ed.
"
Yes.Hei
ssoi
nnocenthehasn'
tev
enaskeda
gir
loutintwoyears.I
'm star
ti
ngtothinkhe'
s
gay,"Kei
ranst
ated,causingEli
zabet
handHenry
tolaugh.
"
Canyouguysusedecentl
anguagei
nfr
ontof
t
heki
ds,
"Mr.Palmerchi
ded.
"
Sor
rydad,
"Br
ent
onandKei
ranchor
used.
"
Somet
imesIwonderi
fyou'
l
lev
ergr
owup,
"
Mr.
PPal
mermutter
ed.
"Al
ri
ght,i
fev
erybodyisdonetal
king,
Iwoul
dli
ke
tomakeasmal lannouncement
,"Chri
ssai
d,
eff
ecti
vel
ygett
ingeveryone'
sat
tenti
on.
"Thanky ou.Nowasy ouallknow, mydaughter
,
Lil
y,thesecondfemal ewhohasmanagedt o
capturemyhear t,
hast ur
nedonet oday
.Andall
Iwantt osayisthatshegetsallt
hehappiness
shedeser ves,
andIv owtoprotectherfr
om all
theev i
l
sanddanger softhisworld."
"
Aye!
"ThePalmerschor
used,
sur
pri
singme
wi
tht
heiruni
ty.
"
I'
ll
makesurenoguyi
sabletocomewi
thi
nfi
ft
y
f
eetofher
,"Br
ent
onannounced.
"No!Don'
tgoov
erpr
otect
iveonmydaught
er,
"I
object
ed.
"
Sor
ryl
i
ttl
esi
ster
,Iam t
heuncl
eher
e,"he
r
epl
i
ed.
"Wecandebatehowov erprot
ectiv
ewe'l
lbe
onceLil
ygrowsup.Butfornow,let'
seat
!"
Keir
anstat
ed.Andallatonce,ev
erybodyhel
ped
themsel
vestothesnacks.
Whileev erybodywasbusyeat i
ng,Itooka
momentt oref
lectont heloveandhappi ness
thi
sf ami l
yhadgi venme.It houghtIwoul dbe
Chris'stempor ar
ywi fe,onehewoul dl eaveonce
they earlongcontr actwasov er;butfatehada
funnywayofpl ayingwi t
hus, andturnedone
yearintoaf orever.
Idi
dnotcomefrom money,Iwaspoor
.AndI
val
uedf
amilyandl
ove,butbei
ngwitht
he
Palmerstr
ulymademer ealizet heimpor t
ance
offamil
y,andIwassur eofonet hi
ng.Money
wasnotwhatmadey ouri
ch, itwasf amilyand
thenumberofpeopl ewhol ov edandsuppor ted
youuncondit
ionall
ythatmadey ourich.Money
wouldcomeandgodependi ngont i
me, but
famil
yandf r
iendsstayedfor ever.
Andt
hatwast
het
rueweal
th.

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.TheEnd.
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