Chapter 144
I slip the coat on, grab my book bag, and slide on my glasses. I rub at the shadows beneath my eyes. She lifts a brow. “You’re heading out already?”
“Dia’s about to go into surgery,” I say, and this time, I do smile.
Soon, Diana Vanderbilt will be gone.
Emily won’t be far behind.
And Vanderbilt Holdings? It’ll be mine.
LIAM
I’m only halfway through helping Em out of the car when the front door swings open and Julie barrels out, already mid–yell.
I see it coming. Of course I do.
She heads straight for Emilia like she’s about to launch herself into her arms. I step in, pull Em to my side, and toss the ice bags at her without looking.
They hit her square in the chest.
“Oof!” she yelps, fumbling to catch them. “What the hell, Liam? They’re freezing!”
“Exactly,” I say. “Cool down.”
She clutches them to her chest, glaring like she’s considering hurling them right back at my face. It’s been a while since I’ve
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seen that scowl aimed at me I forgot how much I missed it. I grin. “Where’s Luka?”
A scoff answers before a voice. “Good to know where your priorities are, Li.”
I glance up. Maya’s dragging herself across the porch like she’s already done with the day. Veronica trails behind her, bright as ever. Her hair’s dyed platinum now, making her blue eyes look radioactive. My chest tightens the second I see her.
When Roni breaks into a run, I catch her without thinking, lifting her up and spinning her around until she squeals.
“Easy on the ballerina feet, Roni. Should you even be running like that?”
She lands on her toes. “It’s been forever. I missed you, Li.”
“I missed you more, Roni.”
“I always knew Veronica was your favourite,” Maya grumbles.
I set Veronica down and wrap Maya in a hug next. She’s still small, still five–foot–two and stubborn about it. I drop a kiss into her hair anyway. She’s not a kid, not anymore – she’s already in law school – but she’ll always be my baby sister.
—
Maya gives Emilia a small wave, shy but curious. I wrap an arm around Em’s waist and pull back slightly to introduce her properly. “Veronica, Maya – this is my girlfriend, Emilia. Em, these are my little sisters.”
Veronica doesn’t hesitate. She steps forward and pulls Emilia into a warm hug, her face lighting up with excitement. Maya
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lingers behind, more reserved, but her eyes don’t leave Emilia’s face. She’s already studying her, probably forming a dozen questions she’ll ask as soon as the door closes behind us.
I glance at Em. Her shoulders are drawn tight, her hands twitching at her sides. She’s digging her fingernails into her palm – her tell when she’s overwhelmed. I step a little closer, brushing my finger gently against her fist until she eases her grip. Then I lace my fingers through hers, squeezing just enough to anchor her. She glances up at me, the edges of her nerves softening.
Julie walks up beside me with the bag of ice hugged to her chest. She smiles faintly at the sight of Veronica talking Emilia’s ear off, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Every so often, she glances at me, like she’s trying to read my reaction and prepare herself for what comes next.
“Where are Eliza and Lucille?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.
–
“Eliza’s painting something,” Julie says. “Lucille’s learning – first–hand the joys of having a sick twin.” She pauses, eyes flicking to mine. “But I know who you’re really asking about.”
My shoulders drop. Her voice already tells me everything I don’t want to hear. “He left, didn’t he? The second he found out I was coming.”
Julie lowers her gaze. “I’m sorry. I tried talking sense into him, but you know how he is.” She doesn’t wait for me to ask. “He took Rowland with him too.”
I go still, her words echoing in my chest like a slow punch. I glance at Em again. Veronica’s still chatting, hands gesturing wildly about some story from school, and Em’s smiling politely,
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but her posture is a little too perfect. I shift my hand to her back, steady pressure between her shoulder blades, grounding her the way I know she sometimes needs. She relaxes almost immediately, just enough for me to see the relief in her eyes.
“He’s insane,” I mutter, low enough that only Julie can hear. “What the hell does he think will happen if Dad finds out?”
Julie adjusts the ice bags again, more for something to do than out of necessity. “I don’t think he cares. And honestly? Maybe you shouldn’t either. Let him screw up – Dad’s coddled him long enough. Might do him some good to finally get his ass handed to him.”
