Chapter 53 Leticia
LETICIA
HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
“So, what? That’s it, then?” I can’t believe what he’s telling me.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Royal guides me to sit down on his bed again, where I’d been resting before he came home. “In a week, I’ve got a private flight to Moldova for a job. I’ll get his house up and running, and I’ll come home.”
“Then what?” I feel dumb asking, but I have nothing, and no one is making a big deal about it.
“Happily ever after?” Royal shrugs. He sits down facing me before grabbing a pillow and offering it to me. “To prop your arm up.”
I take the pillow and put it under my casted-up arm. “What does happily ever after look like?”
“Well, we should probably have a real wedding. Then move out of my parents’ basement, or do a renovation to make it a true mother-in-law suite.
” Royal looks around. “I have no problem with either of those options. I sold the place I’d bought and moved back in here because I was lonely living alone and ended up spending all my time here anyway.
But for the two of us, we could make our own home. ”
Home. It’s such a funny word. I know what it’s like to have a place to live, but the penthouse in Gold Coast was much more prison than home.
“Your parents won’t mind us living here? I mean, surely they want some privacy. They hardly need another person around.” Something in my voice has Royal moving.
He slides closer toward me on the bed, rotating and sitting alongside me.
We’re shoulder to shoulder, and he rests his head against mine, then picks up my good hand and gives it a squeeze.
“My parents only want what’s best for us.
If that’s a mansion in the territory, a cottage in the woods, or staying right here with them, then they’ll be more than happy for us either way. ”
“Aren’t they mad? It feels like someone should be mad.” I try to explain. “It all feels so easy. My dad’s just letting this go? It’s over with?”
“Uhm.” Royal tenses, and he speaks more softly. “I’ve never been good at saying this sort of thing. Mom’s normally the one to do this, but I feel like I should be the one to say it.”
“Royal, you’re scaring me. What?”
“Your dad is dead. I don’t know the details, but I know Berto is now in charge, and he’s approving of this deal between our family and Steffano.” Royal squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Dead. He’s dead.” My head is buzzing as I try to process that information.
Dad is dead.
He’s dead, and I don’t feel anything.
Maybe it’s the painkillers that Royal picked up from the pharmacy.
Maybe it’s . . . relief.
“We can call Berto if you want. I know your phone is probably toast. I’ll have a new one ready for you tomorrow. But we can use mine to call him.” Royal is so quick to try to make it better. “We can call your mom too. I still have your phone cloned.”
I shake my head and lean against him. “No, that’s okay.”
“Antonella?” Royal offers, and it’s the sweetest thing.
“I’m okay.” I reassure him. “My dad is dead, but I don’t feel anything about it. Relief, maybe.”
“I’m trying to put myself in your shoes, and it’s easier to see why you’d feel relieved the deeper I look.”
Royal draws slow breaths, and I mimic them. My eyelids are getting heavier by the second.
“Come on.” Royal shuffles, carefully supporting me while also helping me move to lie down. “Let’s get you all snug as a bug while I pack. You can rest up before dinner.”
“I should go help your mom.” I yawn and try to push up.
“She’s got it just fine. She wants you to rest.” Royal tucks a blanket up over the top of me.
I can hardly fight sleep as the feeling of being the safest I’ve ever been settles over my body.