Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Though to be fair, it’s been a long time since she lost the spark, so seeing it back is a welcome change.
For now.
She hikes a hand on her hip. “Some privacy?”
“There’s no privacy between a married couple.”
“Yeah, well, that might be your version, but it’s certainly not mine. Go away.”
What was that about applauding my resolve? Oh yes, I can’t actually kill my wife. That’s a felony in almost all countries as far as I’m aware.
“You have fifteen minutes.”
“I can’t even do my makeup in fifteen minutes!”
“Fifteen, Ava.” I close the door before she throws something at me.
She doesn’t need makeup, for Christ’s sake.
But then again, she’s always had this strange concept about herself.
A concept full of inferiorities and muddied thoughts—and until recently, extremely destructive actions.
I walk down the hall of the elegant private clinic that could rival a five-star hotel and bring out my phone.
“Sir,” Henderson, my trusted special assistant, as he likes to call himself, answers after the first ring.
“Have the car ready in ten.”
“Already waiting outside.”
“Have you taken care of everything in the house?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If I or, worse, if Ava finds anything she’s not supposed to, I’ll have your head on a spike before sunrise.”
“Considering my absolute disregard for that ending, I can assure you that everything will be spotless.”
“Talk me through it.”
“Deleted surveillance footage. We have installed a completely new security system. The clothes have been thrown away and replaced with exact replicas. The hazardous setting has been blockaded. All maids, gardeners, and personnel have been changed except for Sam and me.”
“If you or Sam disappoint me, you know your fates, right?”
“The spike or the guillotine. We have the liberty to choose.”
“I changed my mind. You don’t have the luxury of picking your fate anymore.”
“Noted,” he says with the same emotionless tone.
I’m nothing short of an excellent judge of character, which is why Henderson fits the bill. I might have stolen him from my dad’s personnel, and he might still hold a grudge for it. But it’s not my fault people prefer my company over his. Though he’d tell you otherwise like the delusional old man he is.
Besides, Henderson needs more stimuli than Dad’s boring entrepreneurial efforts can offer, and I present him with multiple ways to indulge in his darker tendencies.
A few staged disappearances here, a deletion of records there, and he’s living his best life.
I saved him from a dull existence. He’s welcome.
“Sir?”
“Yes?”
“You need to rest. You’ve been exerting yourself the past couple of days and that has a negative impact on your recovery.”
“Let me worry about that. If my parents, or, worse, my grandfathers, hear a peep of this…”
“They won’t.”
The door opens behind me and I hang up before I turn around, knowing full well it’s not Ava.
She’ll be late just to get on my last nerve. Pissing me off is her favorite sport and the center of her infuriating existence.
I’m faced with her firecracker sister, who’s glaring up at me.
Rising to my full height, I raise a brow. “What can I do for you, stalker?”
“Funny coming from the master.”
“Don’t be jealous.” I pat the top of her head and she pushes my hand away.
“You still owe me an explanation, Eli.”
“Concerning?”
“Don’t fuck with me.” She surveys our surroundings like a rookie detective on their first mission and leans in. “What the hell happened before she fell down the stairs?”
“I told you. It was an accident.”
“We both know damn well that it wasn’t,” she hisses under her breath. “Why are you hiding the truth?”
“None of your business.”
“Should I make it Papa’s business?”
“Only if you wish to complicate things further. Keep your mouth shut, get on with your nasty habits, and leave this to me.”
“You said the same thing the last time, but now she’s ended up in the hospital. Again. How many more times can you hide this before everyone knows that she—”
I slam my hand over her mouth. “Shut the fuck up, Ariella. Don’t speak of it again, or I swear to fuck, if you prove to be a liability, I’ll keep you in the dark about any future plans.”
She pushes my hand away, her chin trembling. “I’m worried, okay? I thought it was the last time I’d see her.”
“It won’t be. Not as long as I’m here.”
“Well, you’re doing a poor job at proving it by being controlling. You know she hates that.”
“She doesn’t remember. All the better.”
“What if she does?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t know where you get the confidence to believe your words, but I sincerely applaud you.”
“Thanks.”
“She’ll hate us both once she finds out everything.”
“A position I’m willing to be in, though I’m starting to doubt if I can say the same about you.”
“I’d do anything for her.”
“Good. Start by keeping your mouth shut. Engage in your favorite hobby. Disappear if you have to.”
“Give me what I asked for first.” She juts her palm in my direction. “Remi’s schedule.”