But she stays inert. My heart thuds, and I look down at the wound on my leg. Thankfully she doesn’t seem to have hit anything critical, despite the burning sensation. Part of me just wants to sit and breathe, but I shove it aside, standing and wincing when the pain radiates sharply. I limp over to Klein, who’s watching me.
“Why didn’t you close your eyes?” I undo the gag.
As soon as the ball’s out of her mouth, she starts wheezing and coughing. “Careful,” she rasps. “Zoe hid a razor in the gag.”
I shiver at Mom’s depravity. No wonder Klein couldn’t say anything. I run a soothing hand along her back, then quickly untie her hands and feet.
She says, “And I kept my eyes open because I wanted to see it. We’ll share this moment—I’m not letting you carry the burden on your own.”
My hands begin to shake, and soon the rest of me follows suit. “Klein,” I say. I don’t know why, but hot tears drip from my eyes. My chest feels off. An inexplicable sorrow wells even as relief that it’s all over settles in my heart.
She wraps her arms around me. “I know. I’m here.” She places a kiss on my forehead. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I hold her close and weep until the backup finally arrives.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Josh
Everything that happens after the authorities confirm Mom’s death feels unreal. My head is foggy. I wondered what it would be like when my brothers and I were finally free of Mom’s presence. Now that she’s gone…
I’m not sorry, but watching the life pour out of her was hard. Much more harrowing than anything I could’ve imagined. Still, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Aunt Jeremiah sends Barry to represent me during the police questioning. Another sign the family’s got my back. My dad and aunt are too close to the matter to be objective. Despite his laid-back playboy image, Barry is an attack dog, heavily favored by Aunt Jeremiah. He knows exactly what to do.
The firm puts me on a month-long leave, paid. The Fogeys, the elders of the family, do it because they believe I won’t take time off otherwise.
They shouldn’t have worried. I spend most of my days with Klein. Her silent presence and strength are better than all the therapists I’ve worked with put together. I don’t really want to talk. I just want to be supported. And with her, I don’t have to say anything to be understood.
The Fogeys also offer to give Klein therapy and whatever else she needs. She tells them she just needs to spend some time with me. “We won’t push. But if you change your mind or think of something you need, just let us know,” Grandma says.
Klein’s friend Max stops by. She checks her thoroughly to make sure she’s unharmed, then hugs me tightly. “Thank you for saving my bestie. If you ever need anything from me, just ask.”
Then they go off to the living room to chat. Max looks like she really needs some reassurance. The news made everything sound even more sensational, but then, they need the clicks.
Suddenly, Klein raises her voice. “You’repregnant? Not with Jeffrey’s baby, right?”
Max hisses something, and they put their heads together. I let them be—it’s probably good for Klein to think about something other than what Mom did to her.
Mom wasn’t bragging about how devious she was. Vincent, Harvey, Roland and Kenna are all dead of heart attacks and brain hemorrhages. I shudder at the elegant lethality, then contact Akiko and urge her to get a comprehensive medical checkup, with a special panel done for slow-acting poisons. Mom burned with hatred for Akiko. When she finally tells me everything’s fine, I relax a little.
Dad was right. Until I decided to get engaged to Klein, I wasn’t acting like a true Huxley. A true Huxley wouldn’t entangle himself with a woman who wasn’t worth dying for, who doesn’t inspire you to act from the bottom of your heart. A Huxley doesn’t just recitepietas et unitasover and over again. When the shit hits the fan, you jump into the fray, no matter the potential cost.
I hold Klein’s hand in mine and kiss her fingertips, filled with gratitude and love. She nuzzles me softly, the tender show of affection soothing my soul.
The day before my leave is supposed to end, the new ring from Sebastian Jewelry finally arrives.
And Klein bursts into tears and asks, “Are you dumping me?”
Chapter Fifty
Ailee
We need to talk. In your office. Is today at 10 okay for you?
When I get the text from Chad’s wife, Autumn, I stare at it for a while. What does she want? The anniversary ring? Crap, Josh threw it away, and I totally forgot about it.
Basically, I’ve already won the bet with Chad, so he should just replace it with his own money, but at the same time I feel like I owe Autumn something. Although I had no idea he was married, I inadvertently hurt her.
