Page 110 of The Forbidden Villain
And they are good at keeping their mouths shut.
I invited Scarlett to a few of our outings, but she couldn’t come to them because she had to go back to her hometown to deal with her past.
“He sounds like a man on a mission.”
“Yes, on a mission to break my heart.”
“Why can’t you just trust him and explore the attraction out in the open?”
How can I explain this next part without telling her who it is?
“We are in the same circles. If my brothers found out, it would be a disaster.”
And our relationship just started to heal, thanks to their women. We finished all the inheritance and trust fund paperwork, and I finally opened my very first bank account and even bought everyone gifts. It felt surreal to pay for something with my own card. I requested to open up an account that would pay for expensive plastic surgeries that people might need after accidents but can’t afford. Plus, I set up scholarships for people over thirty who want to finally pursue university degrees to make it easier for them.
I’d think about other things once I finish my degree and decide which direction I want to take my life.
My brothers also make more effort to meet up with me. They came up with a new family tradition: having dinner with just the three of us every Thursday. It felt weird and awkward at first, but it slowly got better. They even told me stories about our parents, sharing some pictures that Orion managed to save, and it was so good to at least know Mom and Dad through their eyes.
Our sibling relationship is evolving toward something beautiful, and the idea of ruining it kills me.
“Are your brothers happy?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Do you think they deserve happiness?”
“Yes!”
After our fucked-up childhood, no one deserves it more than them. Our parents would have been proud of them.
Me, not so much, I think, considering how my life is a complete mess because I chose to be a coward once upon a time.
I should have spoken up the minute my brothers came for me. Maybe we would have punished Jade earlier, and I wouldn’t have lost so much time.
Then again, I was too traumatized to think rationally, and Rush was too blinded by revenge, so the outcome would have probably been the same anyhow.
“Then why do you deny the same happiness for yourself?”
I still at this, sighing. “Because my happiness might affect theirs, and there is no guarantee it would last.”
“No relationship in the world can give you guarantees.” She puts the notepad and pen away, leaning forward. “He’s young and educated, according to you. Way more sexually experienced, I assume?” At this point, my cheeks might just burn for eternity. “You didn’t seduce him to feel bad about his age. And he seems to know his own mind.”
“Well, that’s hardly an excuse on my part?—”
“Do you think Emmaline and Aileen don’t know their own mind?”
I blink at the swift change of subject. “No. They know what they want.”
My sisters-in-law are very kind and generous, but also stubborn and career-driven, which matches well with my brothers' temperaments and characters. Despite their age difference, they have a very well-balanced relationship, and I never felt like they didn’t fit.
That’s when the bulb lights up in my head.
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh.” Phoenix smiles, guessing my thoughts, and sometimes I wish I could be a psychiatrist or psychologist myself because this ability to read people so well is something I strive for. She glances at her wristwatch. “We need to finish for now. I’m really happy with all the progress, Lavender.”
I put the cushion back in its place and grab my purse. “Thank you for all your help.”
