Chapter 7
Cornelia
Family dinner is what Anthony calls it. I don’t get why he calls it that way, since it’s almost always just him and me.
If that’s the criteria, then technically every meal we have together is a family dinner.
Sometimes, when my grandmother or aunt are in town, they join us.
And when I used to be with TJ, he would occasionally dine with us, but it’s almost always just the two of us.
We’ve had this dinner religiously every last Saturday of each month since I was in boarding school.
Back then, he had to fly to Switzerland to have it.
Now they’re just held at home in London.
The thing about these dinners is, they’re not normal dinners; they’re Anthony’s way of inspecting me, or how he calls it, catching up.
As if I don’t know exactly when he began this tradition and why.
He always tries to make them appealing, though.
The chef always prepares my favourite meal: truffle butter pasta and mashed potatoes.
He even has a few pastries from Stohrer and The French Bastards flown from Paris.
We have this dinner at the formal dining table.
It’s too big for just the two of us; it seats twenty people, but it adds a sense of formality, like this isn’t just a regular dinner.
Regardless, I do enjoy these dinners. I love spending time with my brother, and I love that he always makes time for me. Some people find him intimidating—six-foot-three, a billionaire, always in a suit. I get why, but I don’t see him that way.
“How’s school?” Anthony asks after finishing a bite.
Oh, did I forget to mention he’s also a genius?
He’s a member of MENSA and earned a bachelor’s in business and a master’s in biomedical science from Oxford in just four years.
I question if he ever slept during those years, but then I remember he has a photographic memory, so he probably just read all the books and graduated.
I used to find it quite annoying growing up because trying to lie to someone who remembers everything is a real challenge.
“Fine.” I glance at him—he’s at the head of the table, and I’m seated to his right. “I finally got all caught up with my schoolwork, and at last, I’ve been able to do other things besides studying.”
“Good. And what have you been up to with your newfound freedom?” he asks, his tone half-curious, half-teasing.
“I went to the spa with Annabelle on Thursday, and yesterday I went shopping for the first time since I got back. I swear, the sales associates were practically throwing a party—they were so happy to see me.”
Anthony lifts his glass of water. “I would have thought so, considering a lot of them work on commission.”
“Well, they welcomed me back by bringing out some amazing pieces,” I say, moving my food around the plate with my fork.
“I got this breathtaking diamond necklace at Cartier. It made me think I should go away more often, so when I return, they bring out the best pieces for me. I’ll show it to you later.
It needs to be insured before I can wear it out. ”
He nods, taking a sip of his water and setting the glass down. “I should warn you, without you around, I’ve been losing my diamond knowledge.”
“So, it’s good I’m back.”
Anthony’s lips lift into a faint smile. “Yes, it is.”
I scrunch my nose in response.
He looks at me more tenderly. “And how’s everything else?”
I’ve been waiting for this question the whole dinner. For him to finally ask what he really wants to know. He’s being vague, but I know that when he asks, “How’s everything else?” he actually means, “How are things with TJ?”
“You know you can say his name, right?” I ask. “Just because you don’t say his name doesn’t mean he’ll cease to exist. If that were the case, I would have tried it already.”
He chuckles. “I know, I just…”
I force a smile. “I’m fine, really.” I’m not—not completely—but I don’t want to concern him.
“Are you sure?” He glances at my plate. I immediately stop moving the food around and take a big bite.
“Yes, I’ve already seen him twice, and it wasn’t that bad,” I lie.
Every time I see him, it feels like a stab in my heart.
What he did was horrible—the worst thing anyone has ever done to me.
But he’s also responsible for some of the best things anyone has ever done for me.
It makes me feel so conflicted every time I see him.
“We share the same group of friends. For better or for worse, he will always be in my life in some capacity.”
Anthony studies me for a bit. “Okay, but if you ever feel stressed or—”
“You’d be the first person I call,” I cut him off. I don’t like it when he worries about me. He already has enough things to worry about with running a billion-dollar company without me adding more to his plate.
“Promise?” He extends his pinky.
I hesitate for a second, considering what that means for us, but at last I say, “I promise,” linking his pinky with mine. “Now, can we change the topic? While I’m fine with TJ, he isn’t exactly my favourite subject of conversation.”
“Fair enough. Now that you’re all caught up with school, I was thinking, only if you want to and if you feel ready, and it won’t affect your studies, maybe you could join me at the company?”
Now I wish we could get back to talking about TJ, but I think it’s a little too late for that.
“Yes, I’d like that. Just let me wait a little longer to make sure the academic load isn’t too heavy and I can balance both,” I say, and he looks at me, clearly pleased.
No is what I really wanted to say, but I couldn’t.
I can’t say no to him when my saying yes makes him so happy.
TJ never fully understood it, but I can’t, like him, leave the path that was laid out for me.
He hates the person who built his path. I don’t.
Anthony has done so much for me. My parents were never truly parents.
They’ve disappointed me in so many ways that I’ve lost count.
Years ago, I stopped expecting anything from them.
But all those times they missed a birthday, a school meeting, or a doctor’s appointment, Anthony was there.
Always. Making up for something that wasn’t his fault.
He gave up so much of his life to take care of me that, on the few occasions I can do something he wants, I can’t deny him that.