Seduce & Destroy - Page 108

I would never wonder again if I was alone in this world, because I never was. She was always there. I held her tighter as I fell into a peaceful sleep. Sans migraines.

I was loved.

KILINA

Laney’s grandparents welcomed her with open arms like I knew they would. Her mother was as much of a victim as she was. Lillian and Arthur saw that. They made us a delicious Sunday lunch of roasted lamb, Hasselback potatoes and asparagus, but I struggled to swallow a solid bite while the others cleaned their plates.

She squeezed my knee under the table. “Is everything alright?” Laney spoke in a low register.

I nodded but couldn’t say anything to her. Instead, I turned to Arthur. “Did you do much of the landscaping yourselves?”

It was a sunny day, so we sat in the conservatory behind their quaint cottage. Their garden was bright and green, a variety of sprigs stuck out of the earth and vines enveloped the side of the house.

“Well, yes.” Arthur smiled. “In our retirement, Lillian and I wished to create a slice of nature of our own.”

“We picked our first strawberries of the season last week!” Lillian interjected. “I hope you like Eton Mess for pudding!”

“I love Eton Mess!” Laney jumped in.

Lillian and Arthur exchanged a glance. “It was your mother’s favourite too.”

I examined the tablecloth, hoping to give them a private moment, but it just made me more anxious to the point where my knee started bouncing. Laney turned to me concerned, but I placated her by bringing her hand to my mouth, pressing a quick kiss to her fingers.

“Are you done?” Arthur stood with a couple plates in hand already.

“Yes, Sir.” I replied, and picking up Laney’s plate, I stood too. “Let me help you tidy up and get pudding ready.”

“Okay, then.” He gave me a pleasant look and I followed him toward the kitchen to place the plates next to the sink.

I hesitated a moment, trying to form the correct words in the most respectful manner. It was more of an effort than I had anticipated. The rehearsals in my head were futile in the end.

“May I–” I began but stopped. “I know we don’t know each other yet, but I wanted to ask for your blessing?” The words rushed out of me in one breath. I skipped my next one as I waited for his response.

But he didn’t say anything at all. Just pulled me into a warm embrace. He even went so far as to place a brief kiss on top of my head. The affection was a surprise, but I still didn’t have an answer.

I looked at him, expectant.

“Oh! Yes, yes!” He said, finally. It was the opposite to how my parents reacted. They were overjoyed, but it was understated. Only my brothers congratulated me with a clap on the back. “Let me get Lillian, she’d love this. Do you have a ring? Wait, let me get her first.”

“Don’t tell Laney,” I stopped him, “I want it to be a surprise.”

“Of course.” He said. “I’ll bring the bowls to the table, you wait here while I get Lillian.”

When he left, it was barely a moment before Lillian came rushing into the kitchen. “Let me see the ring!”

I pulled a little box out of my pocket. It was the same one I had accidentally sat on a little over a year before. Lillian recognised it immediately.

“Oh,” she whimpered, her eyes glazing. “It’s perfect, darling.”

She dragged a hand down my back, comforting me. It reminded me of my own grandmother, who would never see this day, but it didn’t make me sad. Our love bridged our families toward redemption. If Laney accepted my proposal, we could bury our parents’ strife and create something entirely new. Something entirely ours.

In my thoughts, I hadn’t noticed Lillian taking the bowl of Eton Mess to the table, leaving me alone with my thoughts. When I returned to the table I was calm. Laney was already plating up a bowl of the sugary goodness for me.

I made the right choice.

To contrast my calm exterior, Laney’s grandparents were antsy. Only I knew why but I could sense Laney piecing together the shift in the air.

“Bon appétit.” She said, softly, all of a sudden subdued. Spoons clicking in bowls consumed the silence that had fallen on the table. Under the tablecloth, I linked my fingers with hers.