Angela smiled. “Yes, I did.”
Kiara just nodded as she set aside the bottles of shampoo and conditioner that she’d asked Angela to get her. Angela sensed that she wasn’t very happy.
“What did you do today?”
“Not much. Shot some hoops with Benji. Read for several hours. Did some more searching for school stuff on the laptop.”
“Oh, I asked Jude about getting you a new laptop,” Angela said.
Kiara perked up at that. “Really?”
“I told him that you were thinking of doing online school and needed a better one.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he’d get us each one.”
“I’d love a new laptop,” Kiara said. “The one we have has served us well, but it really is a piece of junk.”
Angela pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. “It’s so weird to ask for something—especially an expensive item—and have it be handed over. Just like that.”
“I know,” Kiara said. “At least you’re entitled to it, being Duncan’s daughter.”
“Duncan apparently feels that you’re entitled to it as well.”
“I have a feeling he’s just throwing money at me to keep me here,” Kiara said, her gaze distant as she stared at the window.
Angela didn’t know for sure whether that was true or not. But if it was, she thought it was a good thing.
Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like Kiara agreed.
“Regardless of his motives, I’m very glad you’re here with me.”
Kiara smiled at her, but to Angela, it looked forced. “I am too.”
In the past, though they’d both had times where they’d felt down, Kiara’s had been less frequent. Angela had struggled more with worry and angst. But since coming to the estate, Kiara had had more moments like the one she was currently experiencing.
It worried Angela. Plus, it didn’t feel right to be so happy when Kiara was down in the dumps.
Maybe things would even out for Kiara once she had some purpose in her life. Hopefully, the laptop would help with that.
Angela just hoped that Kiara wouldn’t feel like she would be better off away from the estate. She was happy with Jude, but that didn’t mean she didn’t need her sister anymore.
She just didn’t want to have to choose between the two.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Jude followed Julian into Duncan’s office, then took one of the chairs the man motioned to. The fact they were taking their seats at the desk and not in the sitting area told Jude this was going to be a serious conversation.
Not that he didn’t already know that. Duncan rarely, if ever, dealt with business on a Sunday. At least with him.
“What’s going on, Dad?” Julian asked from where he sat slumped in his chair.
“I’ve gotten a call from someone in Dubai that they’re having some issues with Jacque Fournier. Following that conversation, I’ve decided to make a trip there.”
Jude felt a sinking in his stomach. If Duncan traveled anywhere in the Middle East, he always took Jude and a larger security team.
“When are we leaving?” Julian asked.
