Chapter 40
I get off the plane and feel a little lost about what to do first, so I decide to try getting online to send Gianni a message.
Before that, though, morbid curiosity makes me comb through celebrity sites to see if there was any news from last night’s event.
I want to see if that witch is still sticking to the lie that I attacked her.
What I find, however, makes my knees go weak.
It has nothing to do with the event itself, but with the future.
Gianni’s. And it doesn’t include me.
A reporter from a famous magazine has announced their engagement is coming soon and congratulates the couple on the arrival of the future heir.
I expected something like this to happen, but not before he spoke to me.
I try to see if there are any missed calls, because I don’t want to believe everything we lived was an illusion, but I can’t check because I don’t know how to enable international roaming on the phone, and with just data, all I can do is check for messages.
There aren’t any.
I turn off the phone, feeling stupid.
How could I still hope he would choose me? The fact that he sent me off with Abaddon last night was clue enough.
I put the phone in my bag. Then I change my mind, open the device, remove the SIM card, and toss both into different trash cans.
I feel like throwing up from sheer nerves, but I force myself to stay calm.
After going through immigration, I ask a taxi driver to take me to a nearby mall with a Macy’s.
I head to the section I know has up to seventy percent off and grab two pairs of jeans, a skirt, a dress, some T-shirts, sandals, sneakers, and a simple purse. I don’t even spend three hundred dollars.
I go to the mall restroom and swap the old outfit for the new. When I look at myself in the mirror, I can breathe again.
Now I’m wearing a skirt and a colorful blouse. I’ve got some bracelets—they have no precious gems, but I love them—on my arms, plus matching earrings. I finally feel like myself again.
Not the fake socialite he turned me into. Not the woman who, on the outside, looked like a celebrity.
I’m Elodie, a Romani woman. The one no one orders around or controls.
The same one whose heart is broken right now.
I leave everything he gave me in the fitting room, the small suitcase included.
I don’t want his gifts. All I need right now is to find my brother. After I talk to Amos, I’ll go straight to New Orleans.
I don’t care if I’m not handling this maturely. I couldn’t care less if, in an adult world, we should talk and end our relationship civilly.
I don’t feel civil at this moment. I feel hurt.
Me: I’ve arrived in Boston. What time do you want to see me?
I send the message to Amos, but I don’t even put the new phone away because it rings again.
I let Amber know I was leaving Paris, mostly because I needed to give her the new number just in case she needed to reach me.
“Elodie?” It isn’t my sister. It’s Beau. I already know the distinctive accent and the deep voice.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Have you made it back to the United States?”
I’m not surprised Amber told him I was coming back. “Yes. I’m in Boston.”
“Come to New Orleans. I need you here. Amber remembered everything. She’s very upset and had to be admitted.”
“What?”
“Just come. I’ll explain in person. When you get to the airport, go to the Delta Airlines counter. There will be a ticket waiting for you.”
“Tell me she’s okay.”
“Physically, yes, but I know it will do Amber good to see you.”
Hours later, I land at the New Orleans airport with my head spinning.
My life has turned into madness in just forty-eight hours.
I turn on my phone to see if Beau sent the hospital address—and he did, in fact—but I also find a message from Amos.
Amos: You left Boston without a word.
Yes, he has every right to be angry. We were supposed to be talking right now.
I don’t even ask how he knows I’m no longer in Massachusetts. I’ve already realized my brother isn’t an ordinary citizen. He seems able to get information at record speed.
Me: Can you talk now?
Seconds later, my phone rings.
“Did something happen?”
“I’m in Louisiana.”
“What are you doing in Louisiana?”
“Amber’s boyfriend called, asking me to come. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, and for leaving you waiting for nothing, Amos, but Amber will always be my priority.”
“Are those your real names?”
“You’re only asking that now? And yes, they’re our real names. The last name we use, Martin, we adopted. We’re used to it, and it was all done legally. You investigated us and our. . .uh. . .my mother? You should already know that.” Amos has never referred to Estrella as his mother as well.
“I had to be sure. I’m not judging you, Elodie. Everyone does what they must to survive. I’m coming there to meet you both. You said Amber’s boyfriend called. Can you give me his name?”
“To investigate him? I don’t think that’s a good approach.”
“Diplomacy has never been my strong suit. Now, I need his name.”
“Why do I think you already know who he is?”
“Because I do, but I want to confirm anyway.”
“No. Much as I hope we really are siblings, my loyalty right now is to the father of my nephew. If you want to meet us, you’ll be welcome. I’m very eager for that. But when I looked for you, I took a leap of faith. It’s your turn to close your eyes and do the same.”
“I’m coming to meet you, Elodie. But as for that eyes-closed leap of faith? That doesn’t exist in my world.”
“I didn’t seek you out so you could control our lives,” I say, though inside my heart warms at the idea of having someone of my own blood so protective of us. “If you really are my brother, you’re only four minutes older than me.”
“This has nothing to do with the time we were born and everything to do with who I am, Elodie. I control everything around me. Maybe, in the near future, if we are family, you’ll regret having looked me up.”
I doubt it.
“Maybe,” I answer.
“Send the hospital address to my phone. Do you two need anything?”
“No. Now listen to what I’m going to say about my sister’s boyfriend, Amos: whatever you find out about him, keep in mind they’re in love.
Neither of them is perfect, but they love each other and will soon start their own family.
Don’t even think about interfering in Amber’s life.
I want you with us, but not at the expense of her happiness. ”