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I love him.
I've always loved him.
Acheron came back to the house and was startled to find Pippi standing at the foot of the steps, a blank expression on her face. "Pippi?"
"H-Hey."
"Do you mind if we just have breakfast on the way?"
Why,Pippi wanted to ask.Is it because you're in a hurry to go to Amelia?She badly wanted to ask the question out loud, but she bit them back, not out of shyness but because she was scared he would say 'yes.'
Acheron was relieved to see Pippi nod, and he tried not to be too visibly hasty as the two of them bid goodbye to her family. He thought he had done a rather good job at it, too, and he was right. But even so, Pippi's family still knew something had changed - something had gone so horribly wrong - and it was all because of the dreadfully blank look on Pippi's face.
Her sisters looked at each other, all of them waiting for just one to speak, to find the courage to say what they all felt and feared.
But none of them could.
Inside the car, the billionaire became preoccupied texting instructions to Charlie. Amelia had sounded too hysterical over the phone, and he was afraid she would seriously injure herself this time. He needed his secretary to find the best rehabilitation clinic, one preferably close by and unfailingly discreet.
They were only a few blocks away from the office when Acheron realized something was different.
Rather,Pippiwas different, and he became guiltily aware of how he had unintentionally ended up ignoring her for almost the entire ride. "Pippi?"
"Mm?"
She was unusually stiff, her blue eyes unreadable, her silence reminding him of how she used to distance herself with silence and sought safety behind the absence of words.
But for that to happen now...
It didn't make sense,Acheron thought.
Because that would mean she was trying to protect herself from something, and he couldn't think of anything in her life right now that could hurt her.
"Is something the matter?" he asked finally.
Pippi could only gaze at him mutely. There was so much to say.So much.But she wasn't certain at all that this was the right time and place to say them, wasn't even sure if sheshouldsay them. Because what was the point if he didn't love her?
Acheron frowned at her continued silence. "Say something,mikrí mou."
Oh, how she wished she could.
I love you, Acheron.
But would he believe her, since the words would seem as if they were coming out of the blue when in truth they had been there all along, and she had just deliberately turned a deaf ear to them?
I love you so much.
But what if saying it would only pressure him to lie about his own feelings?
I love you.
Oh God.
Who could've ever predicted this day would come, and she would be near tears just because she wasn't able to say the words?
Acheron reached for her hand and was stunned to find it cold. "Something's obviously wrong," he said grimly. "Is it your family? Has something happened?"
Pippi managed to shake her head. "N-No."
