Page 86 of The Secret Heir Next Door

But now? Now, I don’t even know what to think. I guess it’s better that I learned now, right? Before things got even more serious. If she’s willing to believe the worst of me without even asking, maybe it’s better this way.

But that thought doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. The thought of her walking away, of never seeing her again, is like a knife to the gut. I can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t how it was supposed to end.

I start walking, my feet carrying me on autopilot. I don’t even know where I’m going at first. I could go home, back to my empty apartment where everything reminds me of her, but the thought makes my stomach turn. I don’t want to be alone right now. I need a distraction, something to take my mind off this mess, even if just for a little while.

I call my driver, knowing where I need to go to distract myself.

“Can you come grab me? I need to go to Dee’s.”

“Absolutely, drop a pin, and I’ll be right there,” he replies.

“Thanks.”

I drop the pin and before I know it, I’m standing outside my sister’s house. The lights are on, and I can hear the faint sound of a TV from inside. I knock lightly on the door, not wanting to startle anyone but also hoping Dee is up and willing to let me crash here for a bit.

The door swings open, and I’m greeted by chaos. Abby is bouncing off the walls, literally jumping from the couch to the floor with a superhero cape tied around her neck. Dee stands in the middle of it all, looking frazzled, her hair pulled back into amessy bun and dark circles under her eyes. She looks like she’s on the edge of losing it.

“Logan!” she exclaims, relief flooding her voice as she sees me. “Thank God you’re here. I’m about to lose my mind with these three tonight.”

I glance around, noticing that her twins are nowhere to be seen. “Where are the twins?”

She sighs, pointing toward the hallway. “I’m trying to get them down, but Abby refuses to go to bed. Every time they’re close, she wakes them up. She’s convinced she’s on some mission to save the world and won’t settle down.”

I smile despite the heaviness in my chest. Abby’s always been a handful, but I love her boundless energy. “Why don’t you get the twins to bed, and I’ll take care of Abby?”

Dee looks at me like I’ve just offered her a lifeline. “Are you sure? She’s been at it for hours.”

“I’ve got this,” I reassure her. “Go get some rest. I’ll take care of our little superhero.”

Dee doesn’t need to be told twice. She gives me a grateful smile and heads down the hallway to check on the twins, leaving me alone with Abby. I turn to my niece, who’s now standing on the couch with her arms stretched out like she’s about to fly.

“Hey, Abby,” I call out, catching her attention. “Wanna watch a movie with me?”

She looks at me, her big eyes sparkling with excitement. “Can we watchFrozenagain, Uncle Logan? Please?”

I chuckle. “You’ve seen that movie a hundred times. Are you sure you don’t want to watch something else?”

“Nope!” she says, shaking her head emphatically. “I want to watchFrozen. Pleeeeeease?”

I can never say no to that face. “Alright,Frozenit is.”

We settle down on the couch, and I grab the remote to start the movie. Abby snuggles up beside me, her head resting on myarm as the familiar opening notes of the movie begin to play. As the movie goes on, I can feel some of the tension in my chest ease. Abby’s joy is infectious, and for a little while, I can forget about everything else.

By the time the movie ends, Abby’s eyelids are drooping, and she’s fighting to stay awake. I scoop her up in my arms, her tiny body warm and heavy.

“Come on, kiddo, it’s time for bed,” I whisper as I carry her down the hallway to her room.

She mumbles something incoherent, but she doesn’t resist as I tuck her into bed. I pull the covers up to her chin and sit beside her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“Can you read me a story, Uncle Logan?” she asks, her voice soft and sleepy.

“Of course,” I reply, reaching for the book on her nightstand. It’s one of her favorites, a story about a brave little girl who saves her kingdom from an evil sorcerer. I read to her, my voice low and soothing, and it doesn’t take long before she’s fast asleep.

I sit there for a moment longer, watching her breathe softly, her face peaceful in sleep. She looks so innocent, so free from the worries and burdens that weigh me down. I envy her, in a way. I wish I could return to when life was that simple.

When I finally get up and leave the room, I find Dee in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with her eyes closed, a cup of tea in her hands. She looks exhausted, but there’s a small smile on her face.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she says without opening her eyes. “Abby’s a whirlwind, and the twins aren’t much easier.”

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