Page 167 of Darling Obsession

“So, you didn’t complete your challenge three months ago like we thought you did,” Graysen concludes.

“You just lied to us, over and over?” Savannah still looks disappointed.

“That’s what he just said,” Jamie says. “And are we really pretending to be surprised? This issoHarlan.”

“I don’t understand,” Savi says. “Was there ever any Darla? Or did you just make her up?”

I clear my throat. I’m actually shocked no one’s yelling. Graysen isn’t even freaking out. Yet.

“There is a Darla, actually,” I say. “She’s sitting in the sunroom, if you want to meet her.”

Damian and Graysen, who can see into the sunroom from where they’re standing, look that way. There’s a moment ofconfused silence before I see it on their faces, when they put two and two together.

“It’s a cat,” Graysen says, unimpressed.

Damian chuckles under his breath.

Jameson has joined them, and now Savannah, frowning, goes over to look.

“You have serious issues, brother,” Jamie says.

“Since when do you have a cat?” Savi demands. “And what’s wrong with its leg?”

“Her.”

They all look at me like they’ve never met me before.

“She fell off the roof.”

“Oh. Poor girl.” Savannah drifts into the sunroom to look closer.

Jamie rolls his eyes. “Please tell me we’re not forgetting that Harlan’s lied to us for months just because we suddenly found proof that he’s human.”

“He can be human and still fucking with us,” Damian points out. “Witches have cats, don’t they?” He smirks at me.

Great. More people who think I’m a witch. This cat just had to be black.

“This one’s way too cute to be a witch’s cat,” Savi provides helpfully.

“Let’s stay on track here,” Graysen grouches.

“There’s really nothing left to say about it,” I tell them. “I’ve told you the truth now. You guys can go ahead and decide if I failed my challenge. That’s how the game works.”

Honestly, I’m more concerned about losing Quinn right now. Keeping my inheritance isn’t nearly as important as keeping her and the baby she’s carrying.

I’m so afraid that maybe I’m going to lose them, that maybe I’ve already lost them, I’m feeling somewhat numb to this whole moment—putting my fate in my siblings’ hands.

I’m really not sure what they’ll decide. I’ve spent hours upon hours over the past several weeks obsessively analyzing, from every possible angle, trying to figure out how I can fix this whole mess, dig myself out of this hole, if the shit hits the fan. How I can get rehired by Vance Industries and make it all okay, and continue to take care of Quinn and the baby. Even if she never forgives me.

There has to be a way I can earn my siblings’ trust back, if not their love, even if it takes the rest of my life.

But living without her is not an option.

Quinn and the baby are what really matters.

“What’s to decide?” Damian says. “This shit is hilarious. We all know Granddad would be loving this.”

Graysen frowns deeply.

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