Page 65 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“Good,” I replied, already growing impatient.

“I saw the news. I can’t believe your ex did that. How are you holding up?” she asked and took a sip of her tea.

“I’m okay.”

This was getting awkward really quick. It took everything in me not to stand up and walk out of the room.

“I’m really sorry, Chloe, for what we did to you,” she said after a long silence.

“It’s fine, Nana. It’s all in the past now,” I said with a small smile, but deep down, I was still angry for being an experiment. I wished it were that easy to let go and forget everything.

“Thank you for giving us Kayden. It must have been hard for you.”

Kayla!I had to let Tristan know about her.

“Yeah, it was. I’m sorry, but I have to go. I need to speak to Tristan about something really important.” I stood up after giving her a quick hug.

I ran into Mrs. Sanchester on my way. Her glossy blonde hair bounced over her shoulders as she approached me.

“Chloe!” She pulled me into a tight hug. “I am so glad they finally have him. He won’t hurt you or anyone again. You’re safe now,” she told me before pulling away.

My patience was hanging on a thin thread right now.

“There’s a party tomorrow night. You can meet with Anita, my stylist, to pick a dress—any dress you want— and she’ll get it for you.” She beamed at me.

“Okay,” I said with a forced smile.

I walked away immediately after a maid came to speak to her. I groaned when I opened the door and found Tristan sleeping.

Should I wake him?

I would wait. He was still unwell and needed the rest. I untangled Kayden from him and left the room.

***

I woke up late the next day. I went down to get breakfast. Everyone was busy with party preparation. Different deliveries arrived, new faces entering and leaving the estate. I watched the maids carry large boxes filled with decorations around the house.

I sat on the island to feast on the pancakes and waffles the cook had placed in front of me. I smiled at her and checked my phone for new messages. Nora walked into the kitchen with a tray full of muffins. Two people I had never seen before followed her with round chafers in their hands.

“Hey, where is Tristan?” I asked her. I must tell him about Kayla today.

“He has an appointment at the hospital. He left not long ago.”

“What about Kayden?”

“He is with Nana.”

Anita arrived with my dress after I was done eating. I tried it on before she left. Mrs. Sanchester went around, making sure everything was perfect for the party. She was throwing the party to celebrate Kayden and our survival from the shooting.

Tristan returned late from the hospital and spent the remaining hour picking a suit while I handled Kayden, who wouldn’t stop crying because I refused to give him his iPad. Time flew, and soon, I found myself dressing up for the party.

Tristan and I had been staying in separate rooms since we had gotten here. The void between us was still there. I stared at myself in the mirror as I wore my jewelry. The gown had thin straps and a long V-neck that showed off enough cleavage. It was floor-length with a fishtail that swept the ground. It hugged my hips and had a long slit that stopped at my mid-thigh. I left my hair down after smoothing the ends to make it look straight and glossy. My makeup was moderate. The gold eye shadow and dark eyeliner made my eyes stand out. I grabbed my purse just when someone knocked.

“Open.”

“Wow. Who are you?” Vina asked as she entered the room.

She was wearing a peach champagne tulle gown, fitting her small frame. Her hair was up in a neat bun, and her makeup, as usual, was top-notch. I smiled at her as I posed like a model.

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