Page 61 of Exile
"What happened?" I demand angrily.
She jumps slightly, dissociating too much to register my presence until now. "Hey, little brother," she murmurs, quickly wiping her eyes. "I didn't hear you come in."
Deflecting again. It's becoming an annoying habit. She can spare me the protection privilege. I don't need to be shielded from her pain. I'm her brother, after all. Her being older is irrelevant. It's my job to protect her.
"Madi, tell me what happened?" I ask again.
"It's nothing," she mumbles, waving her hand dismissively. "I was watchingThe Notebook."
I raise an eyebrow, slowly turning my head to deliberately look at the unplugged television. "Want to try that again? Come on—give me another bullshit excuse. I've got plentyof time." I fold my arms, ready to stand here for as long as it takes.
The thing that Madi doesn't realize is I already know. I overheard her talking to our mother while the parents were packing for their bi-annual vacation. They leave next week, and apparently, we're old enough now to stay behind. Decoded—kid free vacation even though we're adults.
I just need to know which asshole it is this time. Joseph had her in tears three days ago and Richard the week before. These crying episodes are becoming so frequent lately that I can't remember the last time I saw her genuinely smile. Madi is miserable all the time, and typical Mom in all her wise glory merely said, "That's just how men are, sweetheart."
No. We are not.
It isn't a chromosomal trait to make women cry. Nor is it something to be proud of.
After all, those two assholes started this mess. From my physical inquiries I was able to deduce that Madi was a competition—two old friends vying for her attention. What they failed to realize is that her heart is big enough for more than one, and instead of accepting that, or doing the sensible thing and walking away, they decided to fight over her. Except they turned their sights onto Madi, insisting she picks. My people pleasing sister whose greatest fear in life is to upset others.
Of course she can't choose. She apparently loves both of them.
If they loved her like they claim, they wouldn't be making her cry every chance they get. Even our parents have turned a blind eye, uncertain how to feel about the whole situation. I know they judge her silently. They can't seem to grasp their heads around the fact that Madi has feelings for more than one person.
Who the fuck cares? It's her life.
Except she's not living.
It's a ticking time bomb. Which is why when the parents are away next week, I'm going to try to sort this mess out before Madi suffers more irreparable harm.
She deserves better. And I'll be damned if anyone hurts my sister.
Chapter 23
Avery
Soon to be former daughter-in-law.
A chill runs down my spine but I keep my face composed. I'm bleeding in a sea of sharks, and there's no way in hell I'm going to let them see me panic.
One could surmise that he's referring to an annulment, particularly after Whitface already tried to coerce and bribe me into signing one. But there was something in the way he said it—a threat—that has me envisioning other scenarios.
It hits me that every single man in this room not only despises me, but they are carbon copies of Alexander Dale and Arthur Whittingham. Rich, egotistical pricks who will destroy the world to climb the ashes. Alexander could whip out that gun and shoot me in cold blood, and none of them would flinch. They'd probably celebrate the destruction of another obstacle and feign innocence.
After all, isn't that what they have always done? Damon said that Alexander killed his mother. Yet, he never suffered the deserved consequences.
Whittingham too. How can you lie in bed with someone, accept gifts of love from them, just to end their life withouta care in the world? That sick fuck actually decapitated her, disrespected her corpse. Well, let's be honest. He wouldn't have done it himself. People like that keep their hands clean and hide behind others, ready to throw them under the bus if a whiff of suspicion comes their way.
My body physically recoils and revolts as fingers dance along my shoulder blade. It doesn't go unnoticed by Alexander as he gives a small chuckle under his breath.
"We're here today to discuss the next fiscal quarter. As you are all aware, we suffered some…setbacksin recent times. However, I've been assured that those issues have been resolved and our financial contract is still in place."
Someone across the table clears their throat, leaning forward with interest. "And what of our newest shareholder? I believe your son's marriage restricted the Board's access to financial resources."
The man looks at me with a blank expression, dead green eyes curious. He looks almost familiar, but then again, all these men appear the same unless you gaze closely.
"Yes, you are correct, Henry," Alexander says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "However, Arthur was able to proceed with the purchase of the replacement equipment and date it prior to the restriction taking place since it was already a contractual obligation. As such, we negotiated a continuance for the time being while our legal team reviews the trust deed."
