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Dad shrugs and gets into the red sports car without a single worry. “It’s fine,” he says. “Carter won’t mind you driving this.”
I bite down on my lip nervously. There’s no reason for Dad to lie to me, but I’m anxious nonetheless. These cars all look really expensive, and I wouldn’t put it past myself to accidentally dent or scratch them.
“Come on, Emilia,” Dad shouts, and I jump into action. I get into the car and just sit there for a minute. It isn’t until Dad snaps at me again that I finally drive out of the garage.
I smile up at our house and park right in front of it. My full focus has been on Dad since I got here. I haven’t even visited my old house yet. I’m excited as I step out of the car, only to freeze when the door to the house next to ours opens.
Helen walks out with a wide smile on her face, and my heart twists painfully. I look away, hoping we can both just pretend we didn’t see each other, but Dad waves at her.
“Helen, darling, how are ya?” he shouts, and I grimace. It’s been eight years. Of course, he’s on good terms with our neighbors. I’m sure she’s looked out for Dad in the time that I wasn’t here to do it myself, but I can’t stand to look at her nonetheless. I still vividly remember her handing me her credit card and asking me to move out of the place Carter and I shared. I remember her telling me that I shouldn’t make things harder on Carter by staying. I always thought of her as the mother I never had, but in the end, blood is thicker than water.
I nod at her politely and tug on my dad’s arm. “Emilia,” Dad murmurs. “Come on, let’s drop by and say hi.”
I look up at him, my eyes flashing with rage. “No. I will not keep you from greeting our neighbors, but I refuse to join you in doing so,” I tell him defensively. I know I’m hiding behind the lawyer persona I’ve built for myself, and it isn’t fair on Dad, but I can’t help myself either. I do it without thinking. “I’m happy to wait in the car for you, or alternatively, you can let me into the house,” I add, my voice soft.
Dad looks at me, and for a second he looks so defeated, that I almost want to give in. But then he nods in understanding and waves at Helen as he leads me to the front door. Just seeing her again ruined my entire mood. Logically, I understand her choosing her daughter’s happiness over mine, but at the same time, I can’t forgive her for it. I can’t forgive her for all the pain she caused and all the blame she placed on me. The only sin I ever committed was loving her son. I didn’t deserve to be treated the way I was, especially not by a woman I loved like she was my own mother.
I walk into my old bedroom, my entire body tense with anger, and I lean back against my closed door. Everything is still the same. I stand there for a minute, just staring into Carter’s room. How many times have I stood here, watching him? I sigh and push away from the door, slowly walking through my bedroom. I rummage through my wardrobe and pause on a tee I once stole from Carter. My fingers linger over the fabric, and I carefully take it off the hanger. I try my best not to overthink it as I fold it and put it in my handbag. They’re just jammies, that’s all.
I frown when I hear the sound of a sports car, and for just a second I worry I left the key in the ignition. I stick my head out the window and find Carter stepping out of a sleek black sports car. He looks up, and my traitorous heart skips a beat.
Chapter 13
Carter
I walk up to John’s house, a scowl on my face. He knows damn well no one is allowed to drive my babies but me. What the hell was he thinking, taking my Ferrari out? If Mom hadn’t asked me to come over tonight, I probably wouldn’t even have found out.
Instead of ringing the bell, I use my key and walk straight in, fuming. I find him sitting on the sofa, and he grins up at me smugly when he sees me storm in.
“You…” I say threateningly.
“Hey, Carter,” Emilia says from behind me, and I turn around to face her. “What are you doing here?” she asks.
Seeing her standing here brings back so many memories. For years I’ve been wishing that I’d find her here, and now that she’s finally back, it’s all so surreal.
“I had a near heart-attack when I heard your car. I thought I left the key in the red one and that someone was trying to steal it.”
I blink at her, surprised. “Um, you were driving my Ferrari?” I ask slowly.
Emilia nods at me and glances at her father. “That’s okay, right? Dad said it was fine. I’m sorry, I should’ve checked with you personally. It’s probably a really expensive car.”
I shake my head and smile at her. Emilia behind the wheel of my Ferrari… I bet that makes for one hell of a sight. “Of course it’s fine, Emilia. It’s a car. It’s for driving.”
John chuckles and I turn to glare at him. “I told you,” he says, smiling smugly. “Carter doesn’t mind you driving his cars.”
This dick. He knew full well that I don’t like anyone behind the wheel but me. He’s right, though. Oddly enough, I don’t mind it so much when it’s Emilia. She smiles up at me, and for just a second, she actually looks giddy. “It’s such a pretty car,” she tells me. “I just love the color, and it feels so nice to drive.”
I smile at her indulgently. “You can keep it for now,” I tell her, the words leaving my lips before I even realize it. “It suits you. I don’t use it often enough anyway.”
I must’ve lost my mind. That’s my favorite car. I rarely even take it out myself. John looks at me with raised brows, and I can’t even face him. Even after all these years, Emilia has this crazy hold over me.
I run a hand through my hair and bite down on my lip. She still affects me so much. So many times I’ve wondered whether she’d give in if I went to London and begged her to give me another chance. But she was right, eight years ago. Things between my family and her will never be the same again. Things between us will never be what they used to be, no matter how much I still want her. She’ll never be able to be around my mother or sister without being reminded of the pain they put her through, and I could never ask her to suffer through that for me. I stayed away for a reason, and I need to remember that.
I sigh. “It’s been some time since you’ve been here. Wanna go for a walk?” I ask her, trying my best not to overthink it. She’s been going out of her way to avoid me since she got here, so I don’t even expect her to say yes, but I can’t help but try either.
Emilia looks startled and glances at her father, who is staring at the TV, pretending like he can’t hear us. Emilia nods and then walks out, much to my surprise. I freeze for a second and then I rush after her, my heart beating just a bit faster.
I’m so tempted to take her hand, but I can’t. I no longer have the right to nestle her tiny hand in mine, and it hurts. I convinced myself that I’d gotten over her in the years we’ve been apart, but now that she’s here, I realize I was wrong.
