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Chapter 44: Siblings and Servants
Last Updated:
2024-05-12 23:29:25
VictoryAnne ViceHow do you like seeing this softer side of Atticus?
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"Oh." I'm afraid to speak. My body feels warm at the memory of his lips on mine from the kiss he stole. I hate how I still think about it, how I can still feel him pressing me against the tree. "Kissing you like that wasn't fair," he looks away for a moment, biting his lip, and then turning back to me he adds. "It wasn't kind. You are my friend, and I took my fear, anger, and frustration out on you. I had learned some hard news and then seeing what they did to you and I just..." he pauses, seeing the look on my face, and then looks away again. "None of that is a good excuse for being abusive towards you. You deserved better.”“Yeah, it really sucked,” I snark at him, feeling petty. “Is that the best you’ve got, Ace?” I snap the end of his nickname at him and his nostrils flare in irritation at the sound of it. “Because if that is the best you'll need to try a lot harder. It didn’t feel friendly at all. It felt like an attack.”Silence falls between us again as my words ring out in the
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[Lily] It doesn't take us long to get cleaned up. I borrow one of his shirts so I'm not naked in the hall, and he gathers up all of our clothing to be washed by his cleaners. I always feel a bit weird after these sessions. I'm not sure if I should be thanking him, or pretending like it didn't happen. While my body is finally relaxed, getting all the pleasure it craves, my heart is more confused than ever. One moment I feel alive, like my whole body is afire. The next, I feel lost and a little ashamed. I let myself become Atticus' dirty little secret. What would Nyx say if she knew? She'd be disappointed. Never mind Link--we aren't technically dating but we do correspond. What would he think of this little "arrangement." Just because we aren't technically having sex doesn't mean this isn't a betrayal of sorts. What am I doing if this means nothing to him? Atticus stops me as I reach for the doorknob. "Liliana, talk to me." It's a struggle, but I make myself turn and face him. "At
