Page 23 of A Taste Of Darkness

“Sterls…,” Flora sighed, but she never finished her sentence. Instead, my sister turned toward her husband. “Can’t we go with her? We could make it a family vacation.”

Kai shook his head. “Lola has school.”

“Ares is here,” she argued. “And so what? You can just keep her out of school for a week, homeschool her, or something like that.”

“Darling,” Kai began. He took Flora’s hand in his and stroked his thumb over her knuckles. “You know I’d do anything for you, but I cannot allow you to put yourself under this sort of stress while you’re pregnant. You worry enough as is, and it will only be worse in Italy.”

“Why?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows. Why was everyone so concerned about me going to Italy on my own? I traveled a lot. Alone. I could take care of myself. Italy wasn’t much different from other countries I visited before.

“But…”

“No buts,” Kai interrupted.

They kept on arguing for a while, ignoring my presence entirely, so without them noticing, I made my way outside into their backyard and lay down by the pool. Soup followed my every step. I helped her up and removed her wheelchair to allow her to lie on my legs. She loved sleeping on my legs.

I could still hear Flora argue with Kai, but I could no longer understand a word they said. Ever since I’d been living here, they’d always speak in French so I couldn’t listen in on their conversations.

I was fluent in six languages. French wasn’t one of them.

Sometimes I really hated it.

Some part of me knew that I shouldn’t have gotten offended by the fact that my sister and her husband wanted some privacy, but the other half of me wanted her sister back. The sister who always chose me. The sister who cared more about me than anyone else.

Now, Flora chose her husband. Every. Single. Time. When she did side with me, it was only ever for silly things like me staying with them until I felt safe again.

But I guess that was better than not having her support at all, right?

A deep sigh left me as I watched my phone screen light up with a notification. Usually, I ignored them all when I didn’t feel like wanting company, but the name I read piqued my interest.

Milo Marucci

Do you keep a spare key somewhere?

I mean like in case you forgot your key and need to get inside your apartment.

What a strange question.

Sterlie

Yes, why?

Milo Marucci

Can I check something at your apartment?

Sterlie: Only if I can come, too.

Milo Marucci

Didn’t I just drop you off at Flora’s?

Sterlie

Yes, but she and Kai don’t even remember I exist at this point. Well, okay, they do remember, but… you know?

It’s weird.

I’ve been annoying them for weeks. I think they just want some alone time.

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