#Chapter 39 – Family Drama

The next morning, I wake up on Victor’s couch. It was such a disastrous end to a great date, I think, rubbing my head and yawning. Archie jumps up on the couch, giving me enthusiastic morning kisses, and I pet his precious face, cooing goodmorning to him but trying not to let him lick me quite so much.

“I thought it was my dog,” Victor says, and I turn to see him leaning against the doorframe, smirking at me.

“It was supposed to be your dog,” I say, standing and wrapping the throw blanket around myself. “I can’t help it if I’m just more lovable than you. Poor pup couldn’t resist.”

Victor laughs and whistles for the dog, who trots over to say good morning too. Victor gives him some scratches on his bum and Archie prances happily.

“I’ve increased patrols on your house,” Victor says, straightening up as the dog goes to look for the boys. “I apologize, I didn’t think to have a guard set while you were away. It won’t happen again.”

“Victor,” I say, running a hand through my hair, worried. “She knows where I am now…and she’s nuts. And that’s my professional diagnosis, which I don’t hand out easily.”

“It’s nothing my team can’t handle,” Victor says, turning to the kitchen, confident in his control. “She’s just one woman. If I couldn’t keep you safe from that, I don’t deserve my place as Alpha.”

I follow him into the kitchen, nodding and seeking coffee. I decide to trust him and not push any further, but I have to admit – I’m still wary. Emily is crafty and apparently determined.

“I’ll have a glazier come by this morning, to fix the window,” Victor says, handing me a mug and filling it with coffee. I accept and smile at him.

“Thank you for organizing that. Please send me the bill.”

He huffs and nods sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

“It’s my house, Victor, these are my problems.”

“And as your landlord,” he says, handing me the pitcher of cream, “it’s my job to cover incidental repairs.”

“But this wasn’t incidental –“

“Please, Evelyn,” he says, his voice deep and serious. “Don’t fight me on this. I told you I’d keep you safe. This was a breach of that promise. Let me make it right.”

I consider for a moment, and then nod. “At least let me have you and Evelyn over for dinner tonight,” I say, stirring the cream into my coffee with the spoon Victor hands me. “To say thanks.”

“We would love to,” he agrees.

“I don’t want her in my house,” I hear Alvin whisper to Ian as I walk into the kitchen that evening. They’re peeking through the kitchen window at Victor and Amelia coming across the lawn. Of course, being able to look out the back window means they’re both standing in the sink.

the room and lifting each

and running for

follows him in, smiling at the boys and clearly waiting for a greeting that they don’t give.

welcome,” I say, moving over to her. “These flowers are so pretty, thank you for thinking of us,” I say, giving

murmurs, looking around my kitchen. “It’s

wearing ten-thousand-dollar diamond earrings for

hungry!” Ian says, jumping up

having, by any chance, jumping beans for dinner?!” With this, he scoops the bouncing Ian up into his arms and

the living room. Alvin chases

little, surprised, and smiles her thanks. I move to the oven,

the big bowl of greens out of the fridge. “Or, something else? I

table, where the knives and forks are already set out. “I have to be in Bolivia soon, for a shoot. Are we…eating in here? Would

home office. But it’s nice and cozy in here,” I say, gesturing to the four white chairs around the little white table, a set that I trash picked and painted when the boys were young and getting too big for their high chairs. I’ve added a stool to one side, so that we

says, realizing her mistake. “That’s…great,” she

setting plates at

wash their hands. Victor happily takes his seat at the head of the table, not bothering to consider if he should defer it to me in my

boys tell Victor about their day at school. I heap salad on the boys’ plates, insisting on greens before

is going perfectly

plaintively at his salad. “Can I have some

I say, beginning

smile, “I’m closer.” As she stands up, I’m momentarily grateful that we’re getting along

slip a foot out from under the table, catching Amelia at the knee

stumbles and trips. She puts out her hands to catch herself but misses, hitting her face on the counter as she

a talk about this.” I move to help Amelia, who rolls over on the ground and reveals a gash above her eyebrow, seeping blood. “Oh god,”

– I – “ Amelia mumbles, reaching up with a shaking hand to touch the warm blood on

glare at my boys, who are standing side-by-side

did it,” she says, pointing at

foot and bursting

my mom’s urge to comfort overwhelming my desire to

him kneeling next to Amelia, his face stern as she cries

overwhelmed. I know that he has done wrong, but my heart goes out

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