Page 113 of Ruling Scar
Nat empathized with her and tried to meet in the middle.
“Our argument isn’t all about guards, though,” I sigh.
It’s about Elijah and how she hates him.
“She needs therapy,” Nat says easily. “Your accident, different as it was, triggered her. And I know it’s not fair, but I think seeing your scar reminds her of her failure as a parent.”
I’ve never once thought about what my scar represents to other people. I was one of two people affected, more if you think about how the discord spread through the Akatov and Zimin families. And I never considered Mom as a failure of a parent.
“I know I didn’t handle things perfectly,” I say. “But I don’t know how to explain to her that hating on Elijah isn’t the right thing to do.”
Nat doesn’t come up with an answer right away. “Let the idea settle. Then when the time is right, remind her how much Yelena hates Elijah too and I guarantee that will help.”
It’s not the right time to giggle, but my shoulders relax slightly.
Nat runs her finger through another strand of hair, and I lean into the sensation. She’ll make a great mother.
“But you know—”her tone is serious—“you don’t have to stay here.”
“It wasn’t a knee jerk reaction,” I try to explain.
“It was,” she calls me out. “I get wanting space from Mom, but all I’m saying is you can crash at my place. Whenever and however long.”
I point at her belly. She’s got months until her due date, but now’s not the time to be offering her sibling an indefinite stay.
She smiles cheekily. “Rent paid in nannying seems like a good deal.”
Okay, she’s got me there.
Nat returns to her tender tone. “I’m just saying, and this isn’t meant to get in between the star crossed lovers, but a lot of big things are happening in your life. And moving in with a boy after a couple of months of dating is risky no matter what.”
“Fair point.”
She smiles knowingly. “Just know the offer’s there.”
I nod. “Thanks, Nat. I’m sorry this is affecting you too.”
She waves me off. “Honestly, it’s great. I bet you ten bucks when Lia and Peter and I explain we’re having a baby, no one will care because the idea that Elijah Zimin tied himself to a girl, will have the whole world talking.”
“I mean, it shouldn’t be that strange. . .”
She side-eyes me, laughing. “It’s Elijah.”
Damn, Nat and all her fair points this morning.
She scoots herself off the couch and I help her up.
“You really didn’t have to come all the way down here,” I say as I walk her to the door.
“And miss the chance to advise my baby sister during one of the most pinnacle moments in her life?”
That’s a bit dramatic, but maybe she’s surprised like Dad that it’s me fighting with Mom and not Adeline.
“I love you,” she says, holding me tight for a moment.
I open the door for her but she spins on her heel and lifts a finger in the air. “Actually, is that banana nut muffins I smell?”
Sunday goes quickly. We stay in most of the day. Elijah feeds me and I read on the couch with Albert.
