Page 59 of Goodbye, Mr. Winters

Kamila hands Kendrick to his daddy. There’s guilt soddening my son’s face, and I know he hates himself for upsetting the baby. Alex disappears into the nearby kitchen with Kendrick in the arm.

“I know about Ivy,” Kamila casually reveals, sitting back on her seat by the dining table. “I was just waiting for your confirmation. Smolyakov and I discussed it the other day.”

“Now, I know what it feels like to be stalked,” I blurt out.

“You’re welcome.” She stuffs the documents she was previously occupied with into a folder, and she gives me all her attention. “What’s it going to be?”

“She’s coming over for dinner tonight.”

“I love it. Can we come?”

“No. I told her it would be a small affair,” I explain. “Just my sister—”

“You don’t have to invite Valentina and Aris and my other weird brother….” She’s joking. “But I should be there. I’m the Head of State, and I’m married to your son. I know her already. We won’t embarrass you, don’t worry.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest, and Kamila’s eyes sparkle with excitement.

“What’s up with him?” I ask Kamila. She knows my son best these days, to my dismay.

“He brought up retirement again. I shut it down, but he’s being difficult about it.” That explains why Alex has been strained lately. “He claims he’s satisfied with what he’s achieved thus far, but I know he’ll get bored if he leaves now. He and Fylox had a little misunderstanding earlier because of it.”

“How little?”

“Fylox has been on the dark web all day, sending death threats to various people.”

“That bad?”

Kamila nods.

“Bring them to dinner. It’ll make them behave.”

“I know it will.” She winks at me, and I admire her light spirit.

The day goes by, and half the family grills me about my guest. Aris and Valentina haven’t been informed yet, but they’ll know by tomorrow. Felicita and a couple of palace employees prepare dinner, and at six, we assemble at home.

Get-togethers in Travis’s old home distress me. He’s missed, and I can see it in my sister’s brave face. She’s distracted herself with preparations all day. This is another big moment Travis doesn’t get to experience with us.

Fylox and Alex don’t speak to each other at the table. Alex oversees Kendrick, attending to his every need, keeping him happy. Fylox’s eyes are red, and I’m tempted to ask him if he’d like to have a smoke on the roof. I don’t ask because I’m expecting my little doe.

It’s six.

Ivy doesn’t show.

Chapter Seventeen

IVY

I sitat my desk in my office, but I can’tsitstill. Who would’ve thought that I’d be a painwhore? With every move I make, I feel Jordan. He’s not inside me anymore, but he’s left an ache I can’t shake.

I’m sore. Him fucking my pussy has nothing on what we did last night.

On my walk to the Queen I hospital this morning, I positively limped. The pain excites me because it’s a part ofhim, my dream. For five long years, I’ve pined after him.

I’ve sat at this very desk, daydreaming about things I’d never get to have. I’ve used his burnout to my advantage, and I’ve dug myself a spot in his heart.

Like I said before, what’s honor? Because I have none. Mr. Winters makes me accept the fact.

Tonight, I’m meeting the Wraiths as his girl. I’ve never been happier.