I sincerely admired Soren. I just wanted his life to keep improving, I didn’t want anyone or anything to stain it- including myself
That was why I needed this ambiguity. As long as I could tell myself we were “just friends,” I could live with it
Soren and Soleil had already started eating,
“So, how’s the family issue?” Soren asked
“It’s all settled. My deadbeat dad was arrested after I presented a mountain of irrefutable evidence. I consulted a lawyer too, so I knew he’d be in jail for years,” I replied.
If the IRS decided to punish him severely for his tax evasion, he’d be in debt for the rest of his life. There was no coming back from that.
“Your mental fortitude is astounding,” Soren said. “Your own father was plotting against you, yet instead of throwing a tantrum, you calmly countered and destroyed him in such a short amount of time.”
“There was no point in throwing tantrums. He divorced my mom when I was a kid–that was when I first saw him for who he really was,” I replied. “I spent years plotting our revenge. If he hadn’t fired the first shot, I wouldn’t have had the opening ”
Soren nodded–whether in approval or surprise, I couldn’t tell.
“Sounds like war,” he remarked.
I froze. I studied both of them carefully. “Um… Do I sound vindictive? Machiavellian? Cold and manipulative? I know he’s my dad. And, well, I did strike right after my own sister died-”
“Please, self–defense is not a crime!” Soleil interjected. “Being a good person doesn’t mean being a doormat and letting everyone take advantage of you!”
“Sol’s right. Self–preservation is natural–especially when you’re just trying to survive. You never acted against them first. It was always a reaction. They treated you like a pariah and plotted against you,” Soren added.
I relaxed a little and smiled.
A faint smile crept onto Soren’s lips. “Don’t forget–your father committed actual crimes in the eyes of the law. He hurt this country and its people. The way I see it, you weighed the country’s interests against your own father’s. What you did was patriotic, selfless, and heroic.”
“Exactly! You’re a heroine, Tay–Tay!” Soleil raised her glass. “A toast to our heroine!”
“Oh God, you people are masters of emotional appeal,” I quipped. “Thanks.”
Soleil finished her drink and added, “Women already have it hard in many societies worldwide. We face more systemic hurdles and discrimination, and often, our family is supposed to be the one safe haven we have.
“And yet, what did your family do for you? Nothing. They didn’t just fail to protect you- they were your demons.
“If it weren’t for your quick wits, bravery, and determination, you would’ve been done for a long time ago. None of them gave a damn about you!”
My eyes burned. I almost cried. She had spoken the words right out of my mouth.
“Well, actually… I still have my grandmother and maternal aunt,” I said.
The Joneses were my enemies, but I still had family.
1/2
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Chapter 140
Soren handed me a handkerchief. “Hey now, cheer up. Your life is only going to get better from here. I’m sure of it.
11
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