Page 111 of The Arrogant's Redemption

"Now that you know all my dark secrets, future Mrs. Seymour, I might as well admit something else: I’m a huge fan of your shows. Watched them the whole time we were apart. But seriously—what was bothering you when I got home? And don’t say the lawsuit."

"It wasn’t that. It’s just...when Dr. Berardi asked if Mom had any old enemies, it got under my skin. I’ve been going over her whole life. Mom never hurt a soul, LJ, but she’s always drawn trouble. Dad and my grandparents dying . . . the fire you and your friends saved her from . . . and now this whole mess with her being framed for murder."

"Shit happens to good people, babe."

"I know. But this istoo much. And if that old lady’s fall really was caused by someone out to get her, then we’re dealing with a total maniac. And they’re not gonna stop."

Alexis

CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

Lazarus & Alexis Engagement Day

CAPE COD

"His cousin was really generous,letting us use his house for the engagement party," Mom says. "But I’m not planning on spending the night here, Alexis. There’s no reason to when we’ve got our own place just a few miles away. Let’s leave this mansion to your fiancé’s family. Besides, Badger would never go for it. He’s not the kind of man who’s comfortable staying at someone else’s house."

I smile and nod. "I think he’s changed a lot, Mom. Ever since you moved in together, he’s become more sociable."

She squeezes my hand. "Never in a million years did I think I’d fall in love like that again. Or maybe I should say, fall in love with someone else."

"So, when are you two getting married? My tatted-up stepdad seems pretty eager to make you Mrs. Marla Gillis Hill."

"I am too, but I want you to go first."

"I love weddings," Brooklyn says, walking up to us. "Weddings and babies are my weakness."

My mom laughs. "As for babies, I’m done. I don’t want another child. I just want to spoil my grandkids."

"Oh yeah," Taylor adds, joining us. "But not because you physically can’t, right? Women have kids in their fifties these days, and you’re not even there yet."

"Right, and I’m healthy as a horse. I could have more if I wanted to."

The four of us arrived last night. Eleanor—Brooklyn’s stepmother—and Madison Kostanidis, her sister, whom I met a few weeks ago at dinner, will bring the "kid squad" later today.

Lazarus must be on his way now with his two partners, flying in by helicopter after an emergency meeting at the hospital. As for Badger, he’s organizing all the food for the party.

LJ’s cousin offered to let him cook everything here, but Badger’s a perfectionist. He likes his own pans and his own kitchen.

"You’re really generous with your sister-in-law," Brooklyn says, probably referring to the fact I let Sedric sleep over at LJ’s parents’ house at Lois’s request. The five of them—my son, his grandparents, and Lois—are flying in tonight.

"It’s love for Sedric, not generosity. He adores her. It’s kind of ridiculous, honestly."

Mom makes a face. "True. Even Lazarus was shocked at how Lois drops everything the second our grandson so much as sneezes."

Both she and I haven’t fully forgiven Lois. Mom might even be more resentful than I am, though I know it’s going to take a long time for me to get over everything she did. Still, I can’t deny how devoted she’s been to my son. And the way Sedric lights up around her? That’s not something you can fake.

"I used to be super rigid," I admit, since both Taylor and Brooklyn now know my whole story. From the tragedy that struck our family before I was even born to my mom’s arrest and, finally, everything that happened between me and Lazarus.

"Not anymore?" Brooklyn asks.

"I’ve learned not everything has to be black or white. Some people are just who they are. You can cut out toxic ones permanently—but others, like Lois, who like it or not is family, you kind of have to deal with. But if she screws me over again, I’ll have no problem snapping her neck."

Taylor bursts out laughing. "You’re sneaky, Alexis. All blonde, quiet, and sweet-looking—people probably think you’re some angel."

I bat my eyelashes at her. "I am an angel. I just happen to have a little demon in me too."

"But now you believe in second chances," Mom says.

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