Page 149 of Remy

“What happened?” I grasp Dad’s elbow, my heart breaking at how much he leans against me for support.

“Nothing, fragolina.” He pats my fingers and then shuffles to the end of the car while Remy hangs back. “But there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

The woman stands in wait, her kind eyes taking me in with gentle appraisal.

“Liv, this is Lucy.” My dad waves a tired hand between us. “Lucy, my daughter, Olivia.”

The lines around the woman’s eyes crinkle with warmth. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”

“Umm…you too?” I attempt to sound enthusiastic only for my tone to fall flat.

It’s late evening, my father is clearly struggling, and this unfamiliar woman is lingering like she’s got a job to do.

“Lucy will be hanging around for a while.” Dad makes slow progress across the parking lot while I follow at his side. “Remy’s been talking about getting me a home-care nurse for weeks, and I finally caved.”

I stop, my heart halting along with my movement.

“It’s okay, Liv.” He pauses beside me. “I’ve been tired lately. The apartment is turning into a mess, and finding the energy to make dinner at the end of the day is becoming a struggle. She’s here to?—”

“Why didn’t you ask me?” I turn into him, making sure he can see the pain his isolation inflicts. “I can make you dinner. I can clean.”

“You’re busy enough.” Dad hobbles around me. “Luce, why don’t you help me upstairs, and I can show you around before my body clocks off for the day.”

“That sounds great.” The woman takes my position, guiding her arm around my father’s waist. “Don’t worry, Olivia. I’ll take great care of him.”

I stand lost as they cross the parking lot without me and climb the stairs at a sloth’s pace.

When’s this going to end?

How long will I remain in the goddamn dark?

I peer over my shoulder to Remy who leans against the back of the Aston Martin, his indifference increasing my frustration.

I swing around to face him, ready to lash out, needing to fight.

“Don’t,” he warns under his breath.

The scolding riles me. Infuriates me.

Everything about this situation is one swift uppercut after another.

I only comply for my father’s sake, biting my tongue until Dad blows me a kiss from the top step before disappearing inside.

As soon as the door closes behind him, I suck in a deep breath, ready to let loose the fury poised on the tip of my tongue.

“Get in the car.” Remy cuts in before I get the chance. “We need to talk.”

27

REMY

Her fury turns to trepidation, as if those few words or my dire tone are enough to instill the seriousness of our situation.

I push from the trunk and round the vehicle. “Come on.”

“What’s this about?”

“Get in the car and you’ll find out.” I glance over my shoulder to her father’s apartment. I don’t want him knowing we’re leaving together, but Lucy would have him distracted by now.

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