Page 261 of Chandelier Sin
“You’re not really considering going back to that house?”
“Cameron and Mia have agreed to take Eloise.”
“You’re gonna miss her terribly.”
“I can’t have her in that house. Even more importantly, if there’s an investigation into Aemon’s death, then neither you nor I can become suspects.”
“Neither of us did anything wrong.”
I mean, I might have set up Aemon’s death by capturing him for warlords on the other side of the fight, but that was merely my gift to the world.
All in a good day’s work—an Atticus Sinclair special.
“It’s not for long,” she said.
“But Eloise…”
“When she’s older and she finds out about all of this, which she will undoubtedly do, then I’ll be able to tell her I did the right thing.”
I loosened my necktie. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”
“Atticus.” She reached over and took my hands. “Our love story defies the constraints of time. We’ll be reunited again soon.”
Ifelt everything all at once and yet I was numb to it all.
That’s what this moment felt like.
I peered into the back passenger side window of the silver Rolls Royce Ghost, my entire life crumbling as I watched my daughter fall asleep with her head in Mia’s lap. Cameron’s wife was a mother, and that reflection of pain in her eyes proved she knew the agony I was feeling.
She and Cameron were seconds away from driving off from Atticus’ Playa del Rey home—taking Eloise with them.
Pressing my hand to the car window, I tried to decide if I was making a mistake. We’d only just been reunited and the thought of being separated again made my heart shatter.
I felt a strong hand on my arm. “Please reconsider, Eve.”
I peered over my shoulder to see Atticus, his eyes showing that he was sharing my pain. This was the first timeI’d seen him waver.
“I have to do this,” I said, turning to face him, my hand slipping from the window. “Be strong for me.”
“I’m trying…” His expression looked conflicted as he struggled to come to terms with my decision.
“If I don’t do this, you’ll never know if all I’ve told you is the truth. All you’ll have is doubt.”
“That’s not true.”
“I’m going back to Pendulum.” I turned to Cameron, who stood close by, watching us both with compassion. “Take care of her.”
“We promise we will.”
“Her favorite toy is her bunny.” I glanced into the car to make sure they had it. “And you have most of her clothes. She loves eggs in the morning. And hates pears.”
“Got it.”
“I let her watch cartoons.” I pressed a hand over my heart, as though it would suppress the heartache I felt.
“Do what you need to,” said Cameron. “We understand.”
“Do you?”
