Page 106 of The KING Review
Behind me, the shower cuts off.
I open my mouth to speak, but she beats me to it. “You know, I didn’t know Grant was seeing anybody.”
I swallow, staying quiet.
Marie leans on the doorframe, letting go of Sera’s hand so she can cross her arms. I usher Sera carefully into the apartment and gesture for Marie to follow, but she stays where she is.
“He’s supposed to disclose new relationships,” she points out.
“I know,” I say quickly. “We just… wanted to disclose to the university first. They require a dated letter for staff-student relationships.”
The air shoots from my lungs when I realize what I’ve said. I hate myself instantly. As soon as Marie’s eyes widen, I realize she didn’t know I’m one of Grant’s students, and that I’ve just handed her valuable ammunition that’s about to blow a hole in my chest.
“You’re his student?” she asks evenly.
“I’m a student in the psychology department,” I grit out. “Where my sister works. And her fiancé.”
Marie studies my face, calculating. “I thought you looked familiar,” she says quietly. There’s a clatter and a jingle behind us as Sera drags her xylophone out from under the coffee table. “You’re Fia Hart’s sister.”
“Neve.” I hold out a hand, but she doesn’t shake. She doesn’t even move. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Her mouth ticks up. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“You’re a terrible actress,” I fire back, unable to help myself. “You really think I’m buying that you were just ‘in the area’? Bull—” I choke off the curse. “Bullcrap. That wasn’t true last time, and it’s not true this time, either.”
Marie quirks a brow. “You were here the last time?”
Fuck. “It’s none of your business.”
“It’s my business when it concerns my child,” she says sharply.
“It doesn’t,” I say, equally barbed. “I left as soon as you dropped Sera off last time, because I’m committed to making sure this relationship is safe for her. No, we haven’t disclosed the relationship to you yet, but we have to Ellie.” Double fuck. “We’re just…” I wave a hand in the air, vague. “Getting our ducks in a row.”
Marie barks a laugh, shaking her head as she barges past me into the apartment. I sigh, shutting the door.
“How old are you?” she asks when she rounds on me.
“What does it matter?”
“Aren’t you worried he’ll manipulate you?” she asks. “You’re young, you—”
“Funny, he asked me the same thing,” I hiss. “I wonder who put that idea into his head?”
“Look, you little—”
I step into her space, cutting her off. The soft tinkle of Sera playing something out of tune on her xylophone filters through the room. “Don’t do this now,” I say quietly. “Not with Sera here. If you want to protect your child, protect her from this.”
Marie tilts her head, mouth quirked in a knowing smile. “Sera’s seen worse. Trust me.”
“You think that’s the point?” I keep my voice quiet, teeth gritted. “This shouldn’t be the memory she takes away from today.”
Marie huffs, opening her bag and acting like she’s not trying to laser a hole through my forehead with her glare. “If you care so much about Sera, why are you pushing yourself into her life instead of going through the proper channels? Or is that just… how your generation does things?”
I blink at her, once. “Are you serious? You had a designated plan for Grant to pick Sera up, and instead, you ambushed us, again.”
Marie’s lip curls. “I did no such thing. You’re just… confused. You’re a last gasp at him feeling young again.”
There it is again—the jab about my age, my intelligence, my supposed inability to know my own mind. It’s like she’s been waiting for this exact conversation, rehearsing it in her Tesla on the way over.
