Chapter 0351

Daniel's angry face twists but he purses his lips, listening to me. I hold my finger steady, staring up at him until he nods once and

looks away. “Fine,” he says in a rush. “You're right. I won’t do that again, and I didn’t mean it. But Fay, you've always had a soft

spot for him, and he manipulates you.”

He looks back at me now, shaking his head and putting his hands on my shoulders as I drop my finger. “You chose a life, Fay.

Didn't you? A life with my dad, and with me? Ivan destroyed that life that you picked. I... don’t want you to forget that. He’s

charming, but he’s bitter, and he’s jealous.” Daniel shakes his head slowly.

And I resent it - every damn second of it.

Because Daniel? He’s doubting me.

And above all — I cannot have my team doubting me.

But as I consider how much I actually laughed with Ivan this afternoon...

I don’t know. Does Daniel have a point?

#Chapter 182 - A Steady Rhythm

“Okay,” I say, taking a step closer and nodding, looking up at Daniel. “I — I hear you about my soft spot, all right? I'll be careful.

But Daniel,” I say slowly, shaking my head, making him listen. “You either trust me or you don't. I told you last night — I’m doing

this because I love your dad. I’m not doing anything for Ivan, okay? And I’m going to need you to remember that in the upcoming

weeks.”

Daniel sighs in relief but then he thinks about my words and snaps his gaze back to me, narrowing his eyes. “Wait, what are you

saying?”

“What do you think I’m saying?”

“Are you...is he going to be coming around more?” Daniel asks. “Is that why I have to trust you?”

“He’s going to be coming around a lot more, Danny,” I say, patting his check with my hand and giving him a pained little smile.

“And you're going to have to hang out with him. And pretending you’re mad. And that you’re not into him, like everyone else is.”

“Oh my godddd,” Daniel groans, putting his hands over his face. “Why are you doing this to me, Fay?!”

“I have my reasons, Daniel!” I sing over my shoulder, giving my dad a wink as I head into the living room, “you either trust me or

you don’t!”

Daniel murmurs something discontentedly as I sit on the couch with Jerome and Janeen. As I settle in the spot next to Jerome,

he wraps an arm around my shoulder without even turning his head to acknowledge me, his attention firmly on some show on

TV.

“Wait,” Daniel says from the kitchen. “What did you just say? Pretend I’m not into him?”

“Yup,” I call back.

“lam not into Ivan,” Daniel growls, making me smirk. Jerome laughs a little too, glancing at me. I wrinkle my nose at him.

“Wait,” Daniel says, storming into the living room and glaring around at all of us. “Are...are the rest of you into lvan?”

“lam,” Janeen says freely, raising her

hand. Jerome looks at his boyfri

stone-faced, not gine wath

away Deniét takes a step forward to

interrogate further, but before he can

my dad interrupts by clearing his

throat. Please read the original

content at .

As one, we all look into the kitchen to

see my dad leaning against t OM

counter, " Iirhesay) raising a beer

thdis s, ‘I'm not, but I have to say —

if I was one of the gays? I wouldn't

kick him out of bed.” Please read the

original content at .

Janeen and I howl with laughter as

Daniel's jaw drops. My dad gives

Daniel a wink and theptakes(ohy!

sipyotthisibéer!"Sdod looking kid"

dad murmurs, chuckling and coming

into the living room, giving Daniel a

pat on the shoulder as he goes.

Please read the original content at

.