Page 156 of Love Me

“It will make the other one lose its effects sooner.”

He puts it against my neck. “I learned so many things here. No wonder I’m the best in biochem.”

Yes, but you’re dead inside.

As if he knows what I’m thinking, he says, “Beat them at their own game, Celine. You should understand this better than anyone.”

My fingers are the first to lose their numbness, then my mouth and lips, and I croak, “It’s getting better.”

“Good.”

I watch him. He appears so in control. No sign of emotion.

“Do you even have an alcohol problem?”

“I wish I did. I want you to hang in there. While they’re busy with you, I am going to get your mother out. I won’t be there for you.”

“Just save my mom.”

“Celine?”

“It’s worse if you prepare me. My mind will go haywire.”

“Okay. When Felix arrives, I’ll have to leave for a while.”

“To tell the group?”

He nods and starts to walk away.

“One day, when I’m not so hurt, I’ll forgive you, Blake.”

He looks at me over his shoulder. “I don’t think there’s a reason for forgiveness. I did what I thought would help us all in the end. But in our group, the results don’t excuse the means. We work through it, or not.”

“We’re family. We’ll get past this.”

“Never lose that optimism.”

I offer a dejected smile and move my feet. The relief is overwhelming. Only when we’re deprived of things do we actually understand how valuable they are.

We all should be more grateful for what we have.

The door opens again and Caleb and Felix strut inside.

“Little Celine. You surprised me, but like mother, like daughter, I guess.”

“Don’t you dare talk about my mother.”

“She has spunk. I say give me one day to change that,” Caleb says.

“You two are fucking monsters.”

And whatever happens, I know Grandmother will deal with them if we can’t. I feel the biggest grin arching the corners of my lips. You will lose everything tonight.

I stare at the man who is the father of my lover, partner, and soul mate. The resemblance is uncanny, but their values, their hearts couldn’t be more different.

“Look how confident she is. Hmm, you’re really not helping yourself right now,” Felix says with an evil gleam.

“You’ll never break me,” I vow.

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