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“I’m art.”

“How long did you leave them alone for?” Atticus asked.

“I went to go pee. A minute, tops.”

“Ah.” Atticus slowly nodded. “You need help.”

“I think I’m gonna explode,” I said quietly. My voice wavered. Seeing Jade twice already had me on edge, but knowing she was on the other side of the wall? I was a wreck.

The twins could fucking smell it. I knew they could.

“Let me help. Kids, it’s time for a bath.”

“And who are you?” Agnes asked, her eyes narrowed.

“You met him two days ago,” I reminded them. “And he came to visit when . . . you first came to live with me.”

“A stranger!” Beatrice said.

“I stopped by to give you two a bubble bath,” Atticus said.

Both girls cheered and ran for the bathroom.

“Yay! Thank you, stranger!”

“You’re welcome,” he said as he followed.

I noticed he was careful about not calling himself “grandpa” or anything like it.

That was for the best.

Agnes and Beatrice had issues with family names—especially where I was involved.

“Go,” Atticus said as he poked his head around the wall.

“Go where?” I asked.

“Anywhere. Get out for a minute.”

I grabbed his arm. “They’ll eat you alive.”

“There aren’t any horses here.”

“Anything is a weapon when they want it to be.”

“Gabriel. Go. I’ll call you if I need you.” He shoved me toward the door.

“Wait, but⁠—”

He shut it in my face. I sighed and was tempted to go back into the apartment, but the exhaustion coursing through me made itself known. I needed the break, even if I didn’t want it.

Unfortunately, and inevitably, the girls would wear on him. I had maybe an hour.

My gaze went toward Jade’s door and I stared. Was she on the other side of it? Would she even answer if I knocked?

After she’d used my full name, I knew the answer. I’d been a hermit ever since I moved here. I was too busy with the girls, trying to hide everything in the apartment they could use to ruin my life.

I should’ve expected the ketchup.