Page 74 of Sweet Touch of Venom

“Where are you going?” my father finally says urgently, leaning forward into his chair.

“Leaving.” I move away, setting my plan in motion.

“You can’t leave! I haven’t finished talking!” Cruz exclaims, putting the device in the box.

“I heard enough. It makes no sense, and it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. It goes against biology and engineering.” I stroll to the archway, counting my steps, so I can leave as fast as I came.

Cruz is fast on my feet, gritting out low through clenched teeth. “The one time I ask for your help, you choose to decline the offer?”

“The only reason you need me is that it’s something you can’t figure out, but if you had all the proper technicalities, you wouldn’t ever contact me. So, say it like it is, you’re using me.”

He lets out a frustrated huff. “I—that's not what this is. Just listen. Please!” He grabs me by the arm and I snatch it back, twisting my body towards him. He steps back, startled, and I clench my fist from my reflex almost taking hold.

His hardened eyes soften a bit as he drops his hand to his side. Cruz swallows, glancing over his shoulder then back at me with a look that I can’t place. “Please.”

I furrow, looking at his face, some part of me wanting to fall for these pleas, but all I remember is the simple fact. They only want you when they need you. Otherwise, you'll be a ghost to blind eyes to them. I continued to the door, not phased anymore by the realization. Not allowing the tiny stab to fester under the gash where the knife pricked.

As I walk out, Cruz shouts, “You think you’re the only one who can be an inventor in the family!” The words trigger me. “You’ve turned out to be nothing, just a sad excuse for the family name.”

Crisp air stings my cheeks as I ignore his rants behind me.The only inventor of the family.

A pull yanks at my heart like a drawstring closing a bag. I hop in my car, speeding off, leaving Cruz to yell with himself.

Inventor.

I haven’t invented anything since that night. And I don’t plan on it ever again.

Chapter 30

Venom

Location: GenCre ‘Somber Garden’

Iwould have never thought that Ronan would have a full garden green house here at GenCre. After doing a thorough investigation—and of course following the map set in the front—I found this little hidden gem.

It’s beautiful, and enclosed in a large dome that gives you an overhead view of periwinkle skies and cumulus clouds. It’s a garden that’s great for withstanding any weather condition. It can grow in peace and thrive in resilience.

I brush my fingers across the petals of the August Gardenia flower. Its white petals are soft and moist as the mist sprays down lightly. A flutter folds under my stomach, remembering my mother and her flowers. She doesn’t own her home anymore, but I know she has to still own the flower shop.

I always loved being at the shop because?…?I loved being around my mom.

No matter where you are in the world, you are always my petal.

My shoulders sag as a sigh escapes. There’s an ache that settles in my heart, the unresolved matter. I suck in a breath, shaking my head, hoping it also shakes the stab in my chest. That was then. This is now.

My fingers fall from the petals, strolling up the cobblestone path where the dahlias and larkspur pour out onto the walkway.

Some kids sit over on the benches tucked under the larkspur droops. They send me cheesy smiles that send an awkward spike down my spine. I cringe with a tight grin and walk ahead.

It’s nice here, and the students are?…?sweet. But I can’t get attached, just like I can’t get too attached to Ronan. There’s a shift between us, and it’s becoming blatant. Ever since the day he hugged me, and after I sliced Fred, packed him, and then shredded him through a large meat grinding machine, a strange bond set between us.

Anytime I think of Ronan at all, it flip-flops and a twist of butterflies’ flutter down into my stomach—and that’snot good.

I mean, I let himhugme. Hug! Something wrong is happening.

I stop in the middle of the rose bush, the thorns sticking out, ready to pop the tiny butterfly bubble inside me. It’s time to demand my own room and get away from him before he throws me into the pits of his dark abyss. Then I’ll never be able to escape from him.

I swallow the lump in my throat, find the exit of the garden, and march to the school. I ignore the stampede of people in the halls scattering to attend their lessons, the bags, and books hitting me. I don’t know where I can find Ronan, but I’ll find him.

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