“It’s not meant to.”
Selene huffed, muttering something about men being the worst, then stalked toward the door.
Julian gave me one last look, then followed her out.
The door shut, leaving me alone with Violet and Hazel.
Violet sighed, adjusting Hazel’s blanket. “That’s it, then? Ignore it and hope it disappears?”
I dragged a hand through my hair. “Do you have a better idea?”
She shook her head.
“They won’t find her.”
Violet pressed her lips together.
“They’ll get bored.”
She sighed, shaking her head like I was impossible. But she didn’t argue.
Because I was right.
“Why didn’t you tell him?
Her brow furrowed. “Tell him what?”
“Who she is. You had the perfect chance to throw me under the bus and save yourself.”
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” She shrugged.
“That hasn’t stopped anyone else in this paddock.”
“As if I’d ever stoop to their level.” Her chin snapped up, eyes narrowing.
I stared at her, utterly bewildered.
Most people in this paddock traded secrets for breakfast. Violet treated the idea like I’d asked her to eat dirt.
She hadn't told him a damn thing.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t even gone to dinner with him. She’d stayed in the house, dealing with the mess I made, keeping the chaos contained within four walls.
“Right.” I let out a breath, blinking at her. “Alright then.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
VIOLET
Understanding behavior patterns was supposed to be my specialty. But Griffin refused to follow any predictable pattern, and after tonight’s press conference catastrophe, I was officially done with surprises.
I climbed into bed and pulled the duvet up to my chin. Blissful silence filtered through the baby monitor. Hazel had finally fallen asleep after an hour of fussing that had nothing to do with hunger or her nappy and everything to do with her father’s reckless decisions rattling around in her baby subconscious.
Or maybe I was projecting.
A sharp tap sounded at my door and I groaned.
“Go away.”
