Page 123 of The Cute Psycho

"I'm so happy for you, Sisi," she continues, releasing a dreamy sigh. "After the incident with your birthday I was worried for a moment."

"What do you mean?" I frown.

"I'm sure Marcello's already told you about Vlad. He's not... someone you should interact with."

"Why?" I ask a little vehemently.

Why is everyone so against him? What did he ever do to them?

From what I've seen, he's always helped everyone when needed, and yet, not even Marcello, who's known him the longest, can offer him the tiniest of consideration.

"He's not a good man, Sisi. I know you're new to this world, but there's bad... and then there'sverybad." She purses her lips, looking at me with concern in her eyes.

"How is he so bad?" I'm getting heated, the need to defend him gnawing at me. I know all she's saying is coming from a good place,but I'm getting tired of everyone crucifying him without even trying to understand him.

"He kills people, Sisi," she starts, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes, "he's a cold-blooded killer."

Debatable, I'd say he's rather hot.

"He simply has no moral compass." She shakes her head, as if she's not married to the same ilk.

"What about my brother?" I shoot back and she frowns.

"There's a world of difference between Vlad and your brother," she adds, almost horrified I'd imply such a thing.

"See, I think you're wrong, Lina. It's just a matter of perspective." I shrug.

"Sisi..."

"Your villain might just be my hero, Lina. Is there really such a thing as black and white? Or moral and amoral?"

"Sisi... I hope you're not sympathizing with him!" She sounds scandalized, and I realize I'm treading on thin ice.

"Of course not," I reply, "I'm just trying to say that you can't really know a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes." I shrug.

She's quiet for a moment as she regards me pensively.

"You've become quite the philosopher." She finally smiles.

My lips stretch up as I return it.

One has to when one's lover is the villain in everyone's story.

But mine.

27

VLAD

"This should work until we get you a new prosthetic tongue." I hand Seth his new device. "It's text to speech. You can even choose your voice," I explain, "but please don't choose a woman's voice. I don't think I could reconcile that with—" I wave at his massive body.

He grunts, quickly typing a reply.

"Not my kink," a robotic male voice replies.

"Good," I nod, "not that I would have judged. I'mveryopen-minded." I give him a big smile.

He doesn't return it as he takes a seat in front of me, furiously typing on the device.

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