Page 27 of Papers Don't Lie

His eyes roam all over my body, but not in a hungry way. In the kind of way that he’s checking for injuries, making sure I’m alright. He’s careful when he pinches my chin to force me to meet his deep green eyes. I take a deep breath, following hissilent order as I try to mask what he does to me and how he cuts my breath with one single look.

“After the dinner is done, go in the same room you woke up in this morning.”

FOURTEEN

KAI

When I get home later that night, Dad is waiting for me in the living room. Usually, it’s not a good sign. He only does that when I do something stupid, and I already know the reason he’s waiting for me.

“Son,” he murmurs from his wheelchair, gaze pointed at the TV that lights up the room. “Take a seat.”

I take my coat off, doing as he says, and sit down next to him as I glance at his profile, trying to figure out how bad it is. But before I can, he talks.

“Where were you while I had dinner with your girlfriend?” His tone is calm, but I know my dad better than anyone. He doesn’t like this at all.

“Dad—”

“No Dad. I asked you something,” he cuts me off.

I mess my hair with my palm, trying to come up with a good excuse until tomorrow, when I can tell him the truth. Well,half-truth. Knowing Dad can catch a lie from miles away, I try to be honest with all I can.

“I had to take care of a personal matter regarding Esmeray’s life. It’s not my place to talk about it. It’s her decision if she wants to share it with you or not. I think you can understand.”

For the first time since I entered the room, he looks at me. His black eyes search into mine for the truth, and I hold my breath as I pray to God he believes me because there’s no other way I can twist this to my advantage. He traces a lip over his tongue, making me sit on fire until I hear his thoughts.

“So that’s why you brought her here? Not because she’s your girlfriend?”

I’m quick to reply, “I would’ve brought her here so you could meet her either way.”

“Are you lying to your father, Kai Graves?”

The urge to swallow is scratching at my throat, but I keep it in, not wanting to give myself away. “No. I’m serious.”

He watches me so closely that I’m almost sure he doesn’t believe me at all, while I thought this was my most impressive act. But then, his expression turns into a huge smile.

“Good. Because I like her. I think she’s good for you.” He pats me on my back. “Now go. She’s waited for you long enough."

I nod and return him the same smile before walking upstairs with slow steps.

I can’t get out of my mind her expression when she was talking about how the last weeks felt for her, and in reality, she has never lived any second of freedom. She only got to experience an illusion of it, hiding away from Carter. If this is freedom to her, I don’t want to guess what was happening inside of the Hamilton house.

The door to my bedroom is already cracked open, and I can only guess she eavesdropped on my conversation with my dad. A low smile finds its way on my face as I push it open and step inside, closing it behind me.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?" I ask in the dark, where I know she’s hidden behind my sheets.

“How do you know I wasn’t sleeping?” she murmurs.

My shoulders rise in a shrug, even though she can’t see me. “Just a guess.”

I hear her fidgeting in bed, and I drop down on the chair facing it, ready for another few hours of staring before the sun rises. The lamp next to me lightens the room when I touch it, and Esmeray blinks several times to adjust to it. She has one leg over the blanket, the top of her covered by another of my shirts.

“This was the first thing I could find in your wardrobe,” she explains when she notices me staring at it.

“It’s fine. It looks good on you.”

She laughs, and I think it’s the first time I’ve heard it so genuine. It feels so sincere and suits her so well. “Thank you.”

I make myself comfortable, putting my leg over the other while I relax in the chair.

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