Page 61 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

“I haven’t heard from them,” I told her. Honestly, I was surprised since my grandfather was on the board, but I wouldn’t complain. I needed as much time as possible to find an apartment. “I have been looking around for an apartment. Since I lost my roommates,” I teased, “I can get a smaller one.”

She chuckled. “Well, you could stay with us and we’d still be roommates.”

I didn’t want to live with Alexander and Liberty. I was beyond happy for them, but I would be envious seeing what they had every day. Childish? Yes, it was. But it was the truth. Besides, I felt those two needed to enjoy their family and alone time. They hadn’t been married that long.

“Thank you, Livy. I really appreciate it,” I answered. “But it is better if I get something else. If they throw me out, I might take you up on it while I search for something. For now, I am good.”

She nodded in understanding. It was funny, Lena used to say Liberty and I fueled each other. She told us that together we always caused trouble, but lately, it felt like we were each other's rock and support. When all else failed.

“I’m so happy you won’t have to deal with those two anymore,” she muttered. “They don’t deserve a granddaughter like you.”

I chuckled. “Well, technically you are their granddaughter too.”

She scoffed. “I will never speak to them. As far as I am concerned, they are dead to me. I will never forgive them for how they treated you.”

I had never told Livy about the way they treated me. If she knew, she would have set their homes on fire. But she knew that, mentally, their abuse was bad. I guess she didn’t need my confirmation. I struggled too much before and after my visits to them, so it was probably apparent what those visits did to me.

“The future's looking brighter, isn’t it?” She beamed, her eyes sparkling. “Your new job, no more grandparents, and you’ll have a new apartment soon.”

“And you have a husband again,” I added. “One that is a bit crazy, psychotically possessive, but in a cute way,” I added, chuckling. “Now tell me how happy you are,” I inquired with a smile.

“Very,” she beamed. “I have never been happier.” Her eyes darted above the camera and her smile turned so bright, I thought I’d go blind.I might if I keep staring at that smile, I thought wryly to myself. “I’m talking to Layla,” she explained to who I assumed must be her husband. Otherwise, if she smiled for someone else like that, Alexander would be history soon. “She called you psychotically possessive,” she added laughing.

“That’s right,” he confirmed. “I’ll wear the shirt proudly.”

I shook my head at his declaration, but had to admit, it was nice to hear it. He would always ensure my sister and Brandon were okay.

Part of his face came onto the screen, kissing his wife followed by a little moan. “Ugh, you two,” I muttered with a smile. “Wait till I am off camera. I’m not in the mood for porn.”

Livy chuckled. “Wait, we are almost done,” she murmured.

“God, I hope you are saying that to him, not me,” I choked. “Otherwise, I’ll be scarred for life.”

A giggle burst from her lips. It has been a long time since I heard her laugh like that.

“No, I was saying it to my husband.” The way she saidhusbandmade me realize just how much she loved him. Such a simple word, but there was so much love, adoration, and reverence in it.

“How about we catch up tomorrow?” I suggested with a smile.

“But-”

“We have plenty of time to catch up,” I assured her. “Besides, this is like your second honeymoon. It makes me feel like a voyeur and I’m not really into that.”

“Layla, you are crazy,” she giggled again, and I had a feeling it was a combination of whatever Alexander was doing to her and my words. God, I hope he wasn’t going down on her while we were FaceTiming.

“Well, we are sisters,” I justified. “So crazy is in our blood. Now, I am hanging up. Otherwise, I have a feeling I will see something I won’t be able to unsee for the rest of my life.”

I chuckled, pressing the end call button. It was a good call and made me happy things were working out for my sister too.

I turned in my bed again, for the millionth time. Glancing at the bedside clock, I realized I had been tossing and turning for the past three hours. It was almost one in the morning. I was exhausted but sleep wouldn’t find me.

I got out of bed with resignation. There was no sense in trying to sleep. Roaming the home that had never felt like mine, I wondered what Maxim was doing right now.

What is Luke doing?I pondered too.Well, duh. Sleeping.Most sane people slept at this hour. Maxim was definitely sane. Was Luke sane? Because he did pay ten million for one night with me. It still flabbergasted me. It seemed frivolous and stupid to do something like that.Not that I am complaining.I needed that money.Did he think he got his money’s worth?

Jesus, Layla… stop.It didn’t matter what he thought or didn’t think.

My nerves were rattled. Two more days until I had to drop off the additional cash at the same location. At least I was able to come up with it on my own and not resort to asking my grandparents. It felt good having the cash in my own bank account. For the last few days, I kept checking to ensure it was real, scared it would somehow disappear. Yes, my method of earning it wasn’t strictly the most orthodox but I earned it. Right?

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