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“I didn’t know and if you wanted me there, the leastyoucould have done was reached out…”
Her eyes narrowed and I added, “But that’s not your style, is it Mother? Had you done so, that would have taken away one more thing you could look down on me about. There wouldn’t be another black mark against me, adding to just how much I disappointed you and him. It was better that I wasn’t there.”
I walked away and she spoke to my back. “You haven’t changed, Elias. You’re still the selfish person you’ve always been. I assumed you being here meant you finally understood what it means to stand for your family. I guess I was wrong.”
“I guess you were.” I spoke over my shoulder and walked away, regretting that I agreed to any of this. She could accuse me of not changing but she hadn’t changed either.
Before I could make my escape I was ambushed by a Devereaux, but not the one I had grown fond of lately. The much younger version.
“You’re marrying my sister?” Her expression was unreadable so I kept mine blank.
“I am.”
“You picked her over me, why?”
I lowered my eyes and she didn’t budge. “You’re young. Cress was the better option.”
No point in protecting her feelings.
“Soyouchose my sister. Does that mean you actually like her enough to want to marry her for the right reasons and not just for this showy, political bullshit?” She glanced around the room before her eyes landed on me again.
I wasn’t sure how I needed to answer the question or what answer she was actually looking for so again I kept my response short but honest.
“I’m marrying your sister because I want to. Enjoy your evening, Jona.” I attempted to walk off but she cut in front of me just like my mother had done. My frustration was spiking but mostly because I hadn’t released the irritation that was still lingering from my mother. I didn’t want Jona to be caught in the crossfire so I swallowed down my annoyance and let her have the moment.
“My sister deserves to be happy. All my life I looked at her as the lucky one. She got to do whatever she wanted. Traveling the world, dancing center stage, being adored by the world. My parents and my brothers never placed demands on Cress. For me things were different. Or at least I thought they were but I’m now starting to understand. I was the one who made thingsdifferent. I could have done anything I wanted, just like my sister. You choosing Cress was kind of a slap in the face.” She grinned. “But it was also a reality check. I don’t want to be your wife but I would have done it because Christian asked me to.”
“I’m not sure what you’re expecting me to say.”
“I’m thanking you for not choosing me. Say you’re welcome.”
I smirked with understanding. The kid was a handful. “You’re welcome, Jona.”
“And one more thing…” She stepped closer.
“What’s that?”
“She’s my sister and I love her. You hurt her and…”
“I’m not going to hurt your sister.”
“No, you won’t because if you do, you’ll regret it.” She narrowed her eyes, laced with tainted innocence, then walked away. I turned in the opposite direction and left the ballroom, navigating to the rear of the house where I stepped outside into the gardens. I inhaled a deep breath needing a minute to ground myself. I had picked up the prescription from Dr. Temple but wouldn’t start the new regime until the morning so my mood was slipping.
“You don’t think I know that? Because I do. I love you and I want this to work but it’s complicated.”
I heard a familiar female voice. One that shouldn’t be professing their love on a call because the man she took vows with was inside working the room.
I moved quietly, gaining on her, but she was so caught up in the call that she hadn’t noticed she was no longer alone.
“I can’t just walk away. There are things binding us that I have to work out…”
“Sasha…” I called her name and she startled, turning to face me, eyes wide and fearful.
She clutched the phone to her face and whispered to the caller, “I have to go.”
She didn’t bother worrying about whatever they might have said. She simply ended the call and looked at me with nervous eyes, forcing a smile.
“I’m gonna go back inside.”
