If I tell Alex the truth about Rodolphe, I’ll make him swear Millie doesn’t find out, not until she’s ready. We could give her an alternative story to explain why Rohinn reverted to Alex. We could tell her the verdict was overturned after it came out Judge Vautrin had been forced to recuse himself.Neat, simple, believable.Millie already knows about the last-minute judge swap. The story would make sense to her. It would protect her.
Cut the sterile fantasies, Eva!
I’m not telling Alex. Even if he’d shield her. Even if I trust him more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. Too much is at stake. Millie’s future, her health, and her well-being can’t hang on her uncle’s goodwill.
“Maman?” Millie’s voice pulls me back. “You’re staring at your cocoa.”
I force a smile. “Just making sure it’s not all chocolate sludge at the bottom.”
“Uh-huh.” She rolls her eyes, unconvinced.
Hmm, it looks like my poker training isn’t enough. Maybe Millie isn’t the only one who needs drama lessons.
“Quit worrying about the parade, please?” she begs. “Can you promise me that?”
I sigh. “I can’t promise I won’t worry, but I can promise I’ll try my best.”
“Fair enough.”
A few minutes later, we load our mugs into the dishwasher and head upstairs. Millie vanishes into her poster-plastered cave, humming something off-key. I cross the hall to my sleek, empty bedroom.
Except it isn’t empty.Someone’s standing by the window, waiting for me.
I recognize him even before I switch on the light.
36
EVA
The door clicks shut behind me.
Alex doesn’t move from the window.
“First things first,” he says quietly, “please don’t scold Claudia for letting me in.”
I’m too stunned to speak, my heart hammering.
He takes a step toward me. “I told her I had an urgent matter, and you were going to join me in the drawing room.”
“Oh,” I manage.
His mouth twitches. “She even walked me there. But the moment she turned her back, I slipped away and came here.”
“You delinquent!” My laugh comes out breathless, high-pitched. “And shameless liar.”
“Convincing liar,” he corrects.
“I won’t tell her off,” I promise, giddy. “But only if you tell me what this dire, world-ending matter is.”
He takes a step closer. A rare, devastating smile flickers across his face. It hits me square in the chest, and I nearly forget how to breathe.
“Hold the sarcasm,” he says, his voice rough. “Because it really is urgent.”
“I’m all ears.”
He closes the space between us, his gaze unwavering. “I’ve been missing you, Eva, more than I thought possible. Today, halfway through grading a midterm, I became convinced I’d fall ill if I didn’t see you tonight.”
Heat surges up my neck. His hand lifts, hesitates, then captures mine. The warmth of his palm is enough to undo me.
