- How did you get? – despite being obviously disappointed, Daniel also looked shocked – Were you really able to sleep with someone? I thought you finally changed your mind, son! – that growl sounded frustrated – I thought I finally understood that this isn't a curse, as you always thought. What happened to your brilliant plan to...? - Father! – Logan panted, sounding almost panicked – Listen: I don't have time for this right now! I promise I'll come to Sunday lunch this time, but you two have to leave right now and... - Although? – Gwyneth practically snarled, hurt like Missy had never seen – How do you think I can leave now that I know my son is going back to square one? Logan… – she lamented, disturbed – Do you really think that continuing in denial is the way to go? Even after all you've suffered? Listen, I have nothing against this girl who might still be here, whoever she is, but do you really think it's okay to kid yourself like that? It won't go away so easily. You need to get
- You know she won't disappear if you walk away from her for, like, two minutes, right? Cracking a smile, while Logan was still opening the passenger door so she could get out of his car, Missy spotted her older sister standing beside Devon on the Knights' lawn, watching Logan's every move with an astuteness that only she owned. Laughing, Missy hurried over to where she was and enveloped her little sister in a bear hug. Not that she was very tall herself, after all, the two of them shared the short stature and slight build of the women in her paternal family, but there was no denying that Megan, at just 5' 1" was especially gifted with the genes of the Sutton. - I had decided to go to your house yesterday. - Her older sister told, as soon as they finally let go - But then Gwyneth told me that she had convinced Logan to share you a little and I was incredulous. – Megan turned her attention to Logan with a grimace that was a mixture of amusement and irritation – That's why I decided to
- You... Do you really think so? She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears of joy that suddenly threatened to spill over. Of course, she would never doubt Megan's love, but she hadn't grown up among the Knights. From the first moment she was introduced to them, she had been afraid of not fitting in, of not being accepted into that family. And, ironically, Logan's first reaction to her had fueled those fears even more. But time had passed and the Knights had become as much a second family to her as they were to Megan. Still, hearing that from Logan and seeing how truly they had been not only worried about her these last few weeks, but also happy and relieved to see her again that day, had touched her deeply, even more than she'd realized. - Of course they do. It's impossible not to love someone like you, Missy, who brings joy and sweetness everywhere she goes. – he distributed soft kisses over her face, almost as if he were drying invisible tears – Every little detail of you is
- I know it's going to sound like I'm making it up. – Logan laughed – But… His name was Logan. – He smiled widely when he saw her gasp, delighted – This is another of the family traditions: every two or three generations, at least one man in the family must be called Logan. And here I am. – he shrugged – But, back to the story: they say that, one day, after some time governing that place, Knight... I mean, Logan... Well, he... - Logan pointed to the man on the tapestry, exasperated, which made her have to stifle her laughter, although that reaction gave her the impression that he didn't like being compared with his eponymous ancestor – He had a visit from a local old lady. Knight had saved her granddaughter from being raped, and for that, she wanted to reward him. When he asked her how she planned to do that… - Logan interrupted the narrative again, looking stiff, and when he spoke again, he did so with a sigh – She replied that she was a sorceress. And, as a reward for his good deed,
- Uh... Well, no... - Missy swallowed hard - Megan even told her those first three days, but... She just sent me a message saying that these things happen, that I should get over it and... - Missy blinked away a tear, trying to push that memory away, as she had done until that moment - I should take this as an incentive to improve the way I am and behave if I don't want this to happen again. she admitted in a fragile whisper. - What?! – Logan roared, revolted and scandalized – How could she say that? How could she not even have the consideration to come all the way over here to comfort you, instead of just sending you a message as rude as that? - It's okay, Logan, really. – Missy assured, wringing her hands nervously – I'm used to her personality. And I also know how busy she is. It's not like she can just hop on the first flight here from Paris whenever something happens to me. - It's what anyone in my family would do. he said through gritted teeth. - I know. - Missy smiled affect
- All right, I think that's enough, isn't it? Still in the middle of a laugh, Missy looked at Logan's displeased face, who continued to glare at the family nonstop, as they all brought out more and more albums from his childhood to show Missy his embarrassing moments, such as a sequence of photos in which he, a child just over two years old, ran away from the bath completely naked and started running around the house, or the album of school presentations in which the photograph recorded the moment when he, a little boy of seven, raised his fist to hit a colleague who had stolen his hat. Not to mention the countless adorable and funny pictures of him as a plump baby playing in the bath or eating dirt before Gwyneth or Daniel could stop him. - Oh, come on, Missy hasn't gotten to know you well enough yet, as Mom suggested… – Diana laughed wickedly, putting another CD inside the DVD player – She hasn't even watched the recording of that fashion show where the another model tried to grope
- You know you can trust me and talk to me about anything, no matter what it is, right? – he asked carefully, taking her by the hand and sitting her on the sofa next to him, wrapping her affectionately between his arms, in a consoling hug – If something is wrong, or making you feel bad, we can solve it together, I promise. Just tell me what's going on, please. The sharp distress in his voice surprised her, even amid the pain inside her, and after a moment of silence, Missy realized that maybe it really was good to talk about this with someone. They were unlikely to reach a resolution, or so she believed, but Logan had already helped her so much and in so many ways... There was no reason not to open up to him again, especially about something that was hurting her so much. - Since... Since that day, I... - Missy began, with a shaky and tearful voice, not knowing exactly how to put it into words - I don't know why exactly, but... I can't wear those clothes anymore ... Or looking at mysel
- Very well. See? Deep down, you know the whole truth. You just need it to take root inside you and push away all those horrible things you've been told. – he whispered vehemently, hugging her tightly by the waist – But… What about me? Do you think I'd say you're pathetic? he questioned, raising an eyebrow almost in a warning tone, which made her giggle. - No, you would never do that. – She smiled at him through her reflex, feeling her throat tighten with emotion and… Another feeling, more intense than anything else she had ever felt, and that she didn't even know how to name what it was - You… Would you tell me to see myself as I really am... To start seeing in myself all the amazing things you always repeat when you're with me. - And what do I always repeat to you? – he challenged her, as he slowly removed her bra, letting her breasts, free and heavy, push themselves directly into his large hands, which began to touch them with reverence. - That… – she gasped in pleasure when he t