“You can’t know that,” he mumbles.“And you can’t know he dislikes or dismisses you. When have you fully opened your eyes?”“I glued them tight a long time ago, Princess. I’m sorry, but that’s never going to change between him and me. Even if I begged him, he’d still force me into this job.”He stop
Evelyn“Oh, look at that sweater!” Mom squeals, looking in the window of the next department store we pass.“Who would you even give that to?” I question.“Me, duh,” she winks.“Mom!” I laugh at her.“What? Am I not allowed to buy myself new things?” She asks, aghast.“No, obviously you’re allowed!
“Well, you and Sebastian were never in the picture until Gregory asked us to move in. We both didn’t want to upheave the lives you created unless we were positive that we’d be happy as a full family.”“So, if you two had never gotten married, I might have never met Gregory and Sebastian?” I reiterat
SebastianI’m probably the world’s worst gift wrapper, and that’s being generous. I have never understood the mechanics of throwing something into pretty paper and calling that a present. That to me, seems like a huge waste of paper when people can just hand the gift over with less fanfare.“Ah, tha
Am I? Should I?Or is that just wishful thinking?I’m not sure.“That’s up to your interpretation, Princess.”I send the message and sigh, looking at the gifts I’ll be giving to everyone tomorrow.In truth, I do want to kiss her. I want to touch her again. I feel like every instance of us being alon
SebastianThe two of us turn around to stare at the wood.We stay silent for a moment, waiting for what’s to come.Then, another set of knocks. “Sebastian,” Gregory calls out from the other side. “Open the door, I would like to speak to you.”“Shit, shit!” Evelyn whispers.“Under the bed, go,” I urg
EvelynI sleep like shit. All I hear in my nightmares is Sebastian and his father screaming at one another, like they’re on fire and blaming the other for the flames.I eventually give up trying to get any sleep. There’s no point, especially when my brain can’t stop swimming.I want to talk to Madel
I look back down at the red purse, gift cards, and phone, then back at him. Does he know I know he’s been abusing his son?“Thank you,” I tell him instead, nodding.Sebastian’s next to give me a gift, and I hold my breath as he hands me his purchase.It’s a small box that he’s clearly decorated hims