What an asshole. He knows how to play me, and I fall for it every time.
“He doesn’t have parents anymore. They died in a car accident when he was a kid,” he starts, circling around the point, edging me on. “So, he got sent to a foster home because hisbrothercouldn’t afford to take care of him yet.”
“He has a brother?” Astonished, I blink hard. “And what do you mean by yet? He can now?”
Jason leans back, stretching his chest muscles as he crosses his arms. “He sure as hell can. The man is a French millionaire and the CEO of Lacroix corporation. You should be careful, Aoi.”
“Why?”
“He rose to power in less than five years. Ambition isn’t something he lacks. He’s young and has the drive to get whatever he sets his sights on.” He shrugs, behaving as though none of it matters to him. “You don’t know whether he’ll come looking for him and take him away.”
“Visha wouldn’t leave with someone he doesn’t know,” I mutter, perhaps trying to convince myself more than stating a fact.
“He’s done it before.”
I shake my head, brows creasing. “That was different. He needed help then but now he’s happy and comfortable. Why would he choose that man over me?”
“Family.”
A simple answer. Easy and true. Maybe that’s the source of my fear. That man is Visha’s blood, but me? I’mnothing.
“Are you saying that I’m not his family?” I blurt, sensing a tremble in my voice I somehow can’t conceal.
“I mean, are you?” He scoffs. “Did he ever insinuate that he sees you as a brother or a father? If you want to keep him by your side, adopt him or he’ll slip through your fingers.”
With narrowed eyes, I stiffen in my seat. “I thought you hated him. Why are you telling me to adopt him?”
“I’m nottellingyou to adopt him. But you won’t listen when I tell you to get rid of him,” he groans. “Might as well start supporting your decision. Don’t misunderstand, I still can’t stand that brat, and I never will, but I loveyouand I want you to be happy.”
He’s finally willing to be on my side and respect my choice. I can’t ask for more. Yet somehow a faint voice in my head begs me to shut my heart and run. Trust has only ever damaged me before.
“Thank you. Not just for your support but the info as well.” I pause, exhaling a shaky breath. “I want to adopt him. I think I’m ready now. I- I know how selfish I am for not wanting to contact Visha’s only living relative and hand him over but-”
He takes hold of my hand and caresses my knuckles with his thumb. “You’re not selfish. You raised that brat all by yourself, of course you’d want to keep him by your side.”
Fear and guilt swarm over me, messing with my train of thoughts. An obsessive question plagues my mind and despite the warning signs blaring through my head, I dare to speak up. “Do you really think he’d leave with that man if push comes to shove?”
“He worships the ground you walk on and clings to your hip like a damn leech. I’d bet my money on him staying forever,” he assures, flicking a piece of invisible lint off his suit.
“That’s true. I don’t need to worry.”
“How are you going to proceed?”
I bite my lips and ponder the question for a minute. There isn’t much I can do if Visha wants to leave. I believe I’ll fight for him to stay but I know I’ll let him go if that’s what he truly desires. If there’s even a little bit of doubt, a chance that he wants to remain with me and pick me over his biological brother, then I’ll fight claws and beak for him.
“As long as no one else finds out about this, it’ll be fine. I’m going to adopt Visha and then no one will be able to take him from me,” I state, bubbling with resolution.
Jason nods, offering me a rare genuine smile and takes my hand before placing a gentle kiss on the back. “You’re a wonderful person Aoi. You’re too good for this world. Sometimes I fear you’ll give so much of yourself that there won’t be anything left for me. But sometimes I forget how cunning you can be.”
I gasp, feigning indignation and welcoming his kiss. “I’m not cunning.”
I don’t know what I would do without Jason’s support. He helps me see the road ahead no matter how harsh he can be. If I’m in trouble, I’d call him before dialing 911. A part of me knows that I’m playing into his mind-games, but I’m too drained to put up a fight. He hasn’t changed and he never will, but I could say the same about myself.
We’re fucked up in our own way and I don’t see the point in fighting.
A glint of mischief flashes in his devilish eyes. “Indeed. You’re the divinity of my heart. You fill the entire place with that bright halo over your head.”
Butterflies flutter through my being. I can only laugh at the absurdity of his speech and yet my chest fills with warmth. I missed the memorable moments when we could simply laugh and tease each other without a fight threatening to burst.
