Chapter 0074

She nods, understanding. “I’m sure that you’re right.”

He stares off into space for a minute, brooding, but Fay bites her lip, unable to help herself from asking

her next question. She’s in a strange mood today, feeling a little impulsive and powerful, having come

out of that basement unscathed. So, she doesn’t hold back.

“So are you like…seeing anyone?” she asks quietly.

“What!?” he says, surprised, and then scowls. “No, Fay,” he murmurs. “I’m not.”

“What about Colin?” she asks, surprised. “The baristo at the book shop?”

“That was…nothing,” he murmurs, embarrassed. “We were never dating – we just hook up sometimes.”

“Oh,” Fay says, resting her chin in her palm and taking another bite of donut. “That’s disappointing. He

was cute.”

Daniel sends her another little glare and then looks away. Realizing that he won’t hold her gaze, Fay

gasps a little.

“Nooo, wait,” she says, giggling. “You’re lying! You are seeing someone!” She sits up straight then,

thrilled. “Daniel! Tell me!”

“Keep your voice down,” he says, bossy, unable to keep the little smile from the corners of his mouth as

he flings a tiny decorative pillow at her.

“Oh my god,” she says, leaning forward and whispering. “Come on, you’re my fiancé. We have no

secrets. You have to tell me everything.”

“Seriously?” he says, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not…mad at me?”

“Daniel,” she says, leaning forward and putting a hand on his cheek. “We’re not together. And we’ve

been through a lot. Whatever happens with us, I’m rooting for you. And I hope that you are for me. I

hope that we both find people who love us, under whatever circumstances.”

Daniel traces the rim of his wine glass, considering this. Then, after a moment, he responds. “Thank

you, Fay,” he murmurs. “That might be the kindest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

She leans forward and presses a kiss to his brow, not pushing him any further. He’s confessed enough

today, she thinks. He’ll tell her when she’s ready.

“Come on,” Fay says, leaning off the edge of the bed to grab the bottle of wine on the floor. “Drink up.

We’ve got nothing else to do today. And I’m not going downstairs again until we’re sure your dad has

cooled off.”

Daniel toasts her refilled glass and then takes another sip, looking at her closely. “And,” he hesitates for

a moment. “You’re not mad at me…otherwise?”

She frowns at him. “What do you mean?”

He looks down at his wine again, ashamed of himself. “For not…coming downstairs, in the midst of it

all. For not…interrupting. Taking you away. Saving you.”

Fay’s mouth rounds in surprise. She takes a moment to think about it and then blushes, laughing a

little. Actually, she’s very glad that Daniel hadn’t come into the room in the middle of that. What would

he have thought if he had seen –

Frankly, what did she think of it all, all that had happened, the heat between them?

She shakes her head, deciding to mull that over when she had a moment alone. Instead, she turns her

attention back to Daniel.

“Actually,” she says, “no. I’m glad you didn’t. I’m starting to learn that I can handle myself in this world.

Learning…methods. Of managing your father. Of…figuring out my own power.”

Daniel laughs darkly at this. “Don’t ever let my dad hear you say that you’ve learned to manage him.”

Fay smirks. Of course, she would never. Unless she really wanted to piss him off, which…well, which

she might actually enjoy.

Her face grows serious, then. “I wonder, though,” she says quietly. “If your dad would have liked to

have seen you interrupt.”

Daniel just frowns at her, so she continues.

“Well,” Fay says, looking down into her glass. “I think he’s expressed that he wants you to…learn the

business. Take control. This could have been an opportunity to show him that of what happens to me,

at least, you are in charge.”

Daniel nods contemplatively and Fay is grateful to see that she hasn’t hurt his feelings.

“That’s…an interesting point,” he says, taking a big gulp of his wine. “That’s definitely some food for

thought.” He looks at her then. “I could start with you,” he says, “to show him that I’m in control.”

Fay smiles and nods happily at him, agreeing.

But deep down, she’s starting to figure out the truth:

That secretly? At the heart of it?

She had the control. Every bit of it.