Page 11 of The Wife Deception
"Or really? So when I saw you checking her out earlier, it was because, what? What's your excuse there?"
"She's a beautiful woman, that's all."
"So you're not hitting that?"
"I don't ask you what's going on in your bedroom and neither should you," I said, increasingly frustrated, cramping my game.
He chuckled. "I am going to take that as a 'no, but I want to hit,' answer. "
"Fuck off Damien."
The screen flashed 'Winner: DevilDee' and I almost wanted to throw the controllerin his face as he jumped up and down in triumph. At that moment, Aelin, Ivy, Willow, Lynn and Thalia came into the living room. At first, I thought they were together, until I quickly noticed that Aelin was trailing behind the other women. They were doing their best to pretend they didn't know she was behind them, and she was doing her best to pretend she didn't notice that they were ignoring her. She looked like she was trying very hard not to be sad. If she was anyone else, I would have sympathized with her.
Ivy smiled when she saw her husband jumping up and down. "What are we celebrating?"
"Beat your brother atStreet Combat."
"You only beat me once."
"Good job. Nolan needs his teeth knocked off from time to time, even virtually."
Ivy strolled over to me and gave me a hug. "It's about time we leave. I don't want to burden Damien's mom with the children. Brunch was… interesting."
"Us too," Thalia announced. "Our babysitter is studying for her finals."
"Thanks for coming," I said and glanced at Aelin. She plastered a smile and repeated my words. Ivy took Damien's hand and bid us goodbye.
Damien handed me the game controller. "Don't forget what I said. And don't hold on to your past."
"You sound like Uncle Ben fromSpiderman."
Ivy tapped Damien's shoulder. "Our son's influence. There's nothing on butSpidermanmovies and cartoons at home. But he's right, though. Let that old man go."
I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. Their concern was cute and somewhat endearing. But the idea that I was doing this because of my father was wholly inaccurate.
8
Aire
Fuckconsequences. Fuck grandfather. Living as Aelin was not worth it. After brunch, I helped the staff clear the plates and quickly proceeded to my bedroom, where I cried my eyes out. I have never been in a position where everyone around you hated you and thought you were the scum of the earth. Even if I wasn't responsible, being considered so vengeful was distressing.
Nope. I couldn't carry on as Aelin. After I dried my tears, I made a call to her. Like the numerous times I called her number, she didn't respond. She wasn't responding to any of my DMs, either. It was clear to me she was alive. When I was atgrandfather's, while I was being molded into a copy of her, she had called him several times, sometimes via video call. So she's alive. She doesn't want to talk to me. But fuck this and fuck her. Fuck grandfather too, for putting me in this position. It wasn't worth the looks of hatred I was receiving.
I can pay off my debts without his help. Plenty of people have done it before, I can do it too. This was the last time I was going to let those two control my life. A weight came off my shoulders as I solidified my decision.
I dried my tears, splashed water on my face, and refreshed my makeup. After a deep breath, I called him.
Kenneth Burgess answered after three rings.
"I don’t want to do this anymore."
"Do what?"
A chill ran down my spine at the sound of his icy voice. He did not scare me. I was a grown woman and he was a feeble old man. I stiffened my back. "I can’t be Aelin. Either Aelin comes back or I divorce him. As for my debts I will pay them on my own"
Silence. Long pregnant silence. He next said. "Fine."
That was not the response I was expecting. I thought he would cuss me out or at least plead with me, or something. "Fine?"
