Page 97 of The Story of You

He hasn’t taken his green eyes off me. “What if I told you what happened instead?”

I shake my head. “I need to hear it from Silas. It won’t be the same third-hand. I want to feel what he felt.”

He sighs and carries on.

So do I.

* * *

Oliver

With a heaving rib cage, I read on.

“I’m going to make you so happy; you’ll see. It’s a tough world out there, Silas. I can keep you safe.”

“And Oliver?” I said.

“Of course, Oliver. You really love him, don’t you?”

“A terrifying amount.”

I never should have told him that.

“Would you like it if you could adopt him? Be his real father?” he asked.

I wanted that more than anything. “Y-You can do that?”

He lifted my ringed finger. “I can make anything happen for you. You’re my husband now. Haven’t you been reading the magazines? It’s my duty to provide for you and that includes whatever makes you happy.”

I found myself faced with another sacrifice. Being Oliver’s real parent opened a whole lot of options and I wanted it.

“I’d love that, Aleksander.”

“Good.” He gripped my face from under my chin in one of his hands. “I expect you to behave, Silas.”

There were more tears. My eyes hurt. “I’ll behave.” He’d dangled the right carrot. I was so stupid. So easy to read. He must have laughed to himself over what an easy fool I was.

Dad. Silas is my dad. It’s all he ever wanted to be.You’re not stupid! God, I want to light Aleksander on fire.

Aleksander promises Silas more things and Silas accepts them, but his reluctance bleeds off the pages. His need to take care of me is too great and yet again, he puts me above himself as the best fathers do in my opinion. That’s not the only thing I’m picking up on. There’s hope. He still hopes Aleksander can heal from whatever madness possesses him.

I … that’s hard to fathom. Being in such a situation. What would I do if I were him? I’m not sure.

I wasn’t ready to give up on finding Darius yet even with the pause I’d taken, but I’d have to figure that out later. One problem at a time. I currently had nothing; this was a way for me to secure a future for Oliver.

“I’m in. I warn you, I plan on being a demanding husband,” I said with a soft slur in my tone. The alcohol was kicking in a little stronger. I took another sip.

He smiled and took the tumbler from me. “I think you’ve had enough, for now, butterfly.”

I was backed into an impossible corner. He was always twelve steps ahead of me. He knew when I was lying. He knew when I was trying to grasp any pinprick of control. The very worst part? I still fucking loved him. There was only one option for me.

Complete surrender.

He scooped me up bridal style and secured my arms around him. “If you’re going to be with me, I don’t want you with anyone else. I’ll cut their nuts off, Aleksander.”

Through my tears I cheer Silas because he’s in there, I can see him. His strength; his fortitude. If that were me, I’d only be shaking and crying worse than I am now, but not my dad. My dad walked into hell, he made demands, and he did what he had to do to hold onto a semblance of sanity.

Well, I’m fucking invested now.