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She gave the dog a scratch on the top of the head “He’ll get over it If your happiness ardener”
“He doesn’t care aboutMiles!”
“There’s no need to shout, dear”
“Yes, there is, because you aren’t listening!” I slapped“You have been secretly sleeping with the man who has served our household for more thirty years and who is one of his closest friends You have been courting a relationship right under his nose for the past seven ht to tell your brother that you’re in love with someone who means a lot to this family”
Aunt Cat stilled, looking down at her feet
“I am always on your side, Aunt Cat I’ve taken the wrap before for things you’ve done because I kneouldn’t hurt Dad asan idiot Heck, I tried to cover for you last night by saying a spider scared me”
“You aren’t scared of spiders”
“Exactly! I still tried! I have always covered for you and taken your side, but I won’t take your side on this You should have told Dad He deservesto him”
“Gabi, I—”
“I am so happy that you’ve found someone who makes you happy Truly, I am, and I cannot think of anyone in this world who deserves that more than you do, and I believe the two of you are a wonderfully weird ether”
She looked at me with tears in her eyes
“But you didn’t need to break Daddy’s heart in the process He would have understood and given you both his blessing” I backed up towards the door “It’s not always easier to ask for forgiveness, Aunt Cat Not when the person you’ve wronged would have moved Heaven and Earth for your happiness in the first place”
She sed, and the dog nudged her with his nose She rubbed it, still looking at me, and the tears that filled her eyes spilled over and ran down her cheeks
“I’e I’ll let you know if I won’t be hoht” My own ball of emotion welled inside me, and I turned and left before my voice broke
Her sobs echoed through the hall, and I hesitated at the door, but I couldn’t comfort her now
This was a stor, and she had to weather it
I escaped through the front door and walked over to where Miles had been waiting He’d not long finished work and had proe where we’d have a little privacy, as long as I didn’t randpa
I didn’t, obviously
But that seeht nohen all I wanted to do was run away and hide