mi

mile didn't fade-it shattered, replaced

He leaned closer, con

braced for anger, for rej

ained everything to him, as h

."We fight this. Together. You're not alo

... this," I choked out. I turned to Sia, whose jaws hung slack. She'd expected him

d. "Leo, you're real

rst into laughter at her outburst. "Told you my man was di

abruptly, serving generous portions onto our plates. I lean

ady digging in. A moan escaped me as flavors e

new exactly where

th a playful glare."And what if I

ugh a mouthful of chicken."My kitchen would be ashes otherwi

saying I can't cook one meal?" She whined,

been holding."You know the answer

at. Your. Food." Her

relentlessly to teach her, but Sia treated recipes like grenades. So she trained me i

leared her throat. She took a sip of water glass before meeting my

wiping my lips with the napkin besi

ldn't ask this, but... your apartment, savings... If you

ld make

by Sia's question. That reaction alone proved how deeply

had never crossed my mind before, yet there was truth to her words; I should be making

especially my apartment. Miss Abigail left me this apartment and some money before she died.

er had her own privacy. Though Miss Abigail insisted we live together as one fami

his gaze instantly softening. I shook my head. "She'

erjected, turning to face me fully

man? I don't want to die. I don't want

ifted uncomfortably in her seat, then tugge

or what I...

've already given it thought. I

" She shook her head vigorously

ou're the only family

s Abigail bought this house for you-under your name

o. A new possibility surfaced, I considered him