Page 41 of His

Astor studies Valerie, noticing the hitch in her breath. He checks her forehead, then kneels in front of her.

“Valerie?”

She doesn't respond.

A long moment passes as he watches her breath. Eventually, he smoothes her hair, then stands.

“Okay. Come back inside,” he says to me. “I’ll get her back to bed and make her some tea.”

I follow Astor to the door. Before stepping inside, I look over my shoulder.

Valerie has turned her head, watching us, and our eyes.

There’s no mistaking the hatred behind them.

Yes, Valerie likes everyone thinking she’s crazy.

Well, bitch, you’ve met your match.

Twenty-Eight

Sabine

“Screw it. Confront her.” I close the door behind Astor.

He turns around, frowning. “What?”

“I think you should confront Valerie about her affair with Carlos.”

“Really? That’s the opposite of what you said a few hours ago.”

“My opinion on the matter has changed.”

“Why?”

“She’s playing us and someone needs to say something.”

Astor looks out the window where Valerie remains unmoving, staring into her garden.

“Why don’t you believe me?”

“Why are you so sure she’s faking?”

I fist my hands on my hips. “Why are you defending her? Jesus, Astor, the woman conspired to have you killed not four months ago! She’s manipulating everyone, just like she manipulated you while she was with Carlos.” This outburst feels good and I realize how badly I’ve needed it. So, I keep going. “How long are you going to take care of her? Even after the divorce?”

Astor’s jaw twitches. “I made a promise.”

“Yeah, well she made a promise to Carlos, and look how well that turned out for him. He’s dead.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do, Sabine?”

“Leave her!”

“I’m her conservator! She can’t even care for herself. She has no one. Her mother and father are dead, her sister is dead…it’s incredibly complicated. You wouldn’t under?—”

“Don’t you dare tell me I wouldn’t understand.”

He growls, and begins pacing.

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