“Don’t push him away,” my aunt tells me. “I’ve regretted divorcing your uncle for so long, and look at me, this lonely old lady, holding onto a house that’s filled with memories I lost a long time ago.” She laughs, but it’s the first time I truly look into her eyes and see the pain, the heartbreak.
“I’ll think about it. And anyway, you’re not lonely. I’m here.” I push to my feet and round the table to give her a hug. I’m not sure how to get through heartbreak, but for now, I’ll keep my aunt close and hopefully learn how to forgive Elian for lying and for leaving me. Even though I sent him away.
On the way to school, I get lost in the lyrics of “So Far Away” by Martin Garrix, Jamie Scott, and David Guetta on repeat. It’s the only song that has kept my tears at bay but still causes my chest to tighten, reminding me that he did exist.38ElianExile.
I feel like I’m in fucking exile.
When I spoke to Ahren, I wanted to ensure he knew I wasn’t going after Adam to kill him. As much as I wanted my revenge, my brother made me see that taking Adam’s daughter for my own would be the best revenge. She’ll be happy beside me, and if he ever came near us, I would most certainly end him.
But that’s not what’s bothering me. The thought of her being alone, without me, has me on edge. I should apologize, I should also explain myself, but I’m not good with letting my feelings show. The most I’ve ever bared myself to someone was when I was practically engaged. And look how that turned out. But then again, I know Arabella isn’t my past, she’s my future. She just has to see it that way.
The plan I have set in place is going to be easy to pull off, but if it actually works is going to be the miracle. Which brings me to the house I’ve been at so many times, but I’ve never once come inside and spoken to Midge.
She opens the door for me, and she doesn’t look angry, which has my breath whooshing from my lungs in one fell swoop. There’s a small smile on her face, and I wonder if she’s enjoying me coming to her with my tail between my legs.
“Mr. Donati,” Midge greets me, her hand offered, and I accept. We shake on it, and I feel like this is a woman I can get used to. She’s older, possibly in her late forties, but she comes across as someone who’s still got her youth waiting to be explored.
“Thank you for seeing me,” I tell her as she ushers me inside. “I don’t want to stay long in the event that Arabella gets home early.”
“Don’t you worry about my niece.” She waves her hand in the air as if this is just a normal occurrence in her world. She leads me into the living room I’m almost sure has been styled by a team of designers. The cream colors with pops of purple and blue in the cushion fabrics, along with the throw rug, show off a professional eye to the room. “So, have a seat and tell me what’s going on.”
I settle in, and I’m not sure I want to tell this woman I shot her sister. I didn’t check if Pandora actually died, but I did walk out, leaving her bleeding. The cleanup crew confirmed two bodies, but knowing Pandora, she probably had someone take her place. That is, if she survived my shot.
I breathe deeply before I start. “I wanted to know if I even have a chance at forgiveness from Arabella if I spoke to her. If I were to explain why I did what I did, perhaps she’d see it my way.”
“My niece is stubborn, and I have a feeling you’re the same,” Midge muses, her smile brightening her face. “But I think if you dropped to your knees to apologize for your lies, she’ll come around.”
“I made a mistake. I dealt with her as if she were a pawn in a game, and at first, she was.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I can hear just how bad that sounds. “I’ve done some terrible things in my life, but this was by far the worst.”
“Even after killing my sister?” she challenges, giving me pause. “You’re a good shot, Mr. Donati,” Midge informs me. “I’ve always had a tail on her. My business calls for being careful of people, especially family.”
“I—”
“Please, don’t apologize. That woman got everything that’s been coming to her. Sending her daughter away, bartering her life was nothing compared to what I’ve witnessed. Too bad you didn’t get Adam while you were at it,” she tells me with a grin on her face that shocks me silent.