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“It’s not fair if you’re the only one who knows things about me, Adrian.”
“I told you. Fairness doesn’t exist. Besides, weren’t you the one who made it clear that you don’t want anything to do with me?”
“I changed my mind.”
“Why?”
“Well, you’re obviously not leaving me alone, so I can at least get to know you better.”
“So you can escape me?”
“N-no.”
“You’re lying, and that’s one strike for the day.” He narrows his eyes. “But it doesn’t matter, because you won’t be able to.”
The promise of his words hits me in the bones and it takes a few inhales of oxygen to get my bearings. “Then tell me.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Your childhood. Did something happen in it?”
“The real question would be what didn’t happen.”
“Was your stepmom evil?”
A distant nostalgic look fills his eyes. “It was the other way around. My mother was the villain and my stepmom was the real-life Disney princess who didn’t get saved.”
That’s the first time he’s talked so openly about his family. “Why was your mother the villain?”
“Villains don’t need reasons.”
“Yes, they do. You said it yourself that they’re heroes in their own stories and, therefore, they want something.”
“Do you remember everything I said, Lenochka?”
“I have a strong memory.” My cheeks burn. “So?”
“So what?”
“Why was she the villain?”
“Power. It was her first and last goal, and Aunt Annika got in the way, and though it wasn’t by choice, she still paid the price.”
“What price?” My voice is low, haunted like the look in his eyes.
“Her life. She died when I was seven.”
It dawns on me then. Judging by the way he appears nostalgic talking about his stepmother and even calls herAunt, he must’ve loved her. He must’ve had some sort of a bond with her. I can almost imagine a younger Adrian holding on to his stepmother’s light because his mother and his mobster father didn’t emanate any.
After her death, I assume a part of him died, too. His human side. That’s why he’s now an unfeeling monster who cares about no one’s demands but his own.
“Do you miss her?” I whisper.
“She’s dead.”
“You can still miss her.”
“I don’t.”
