Page 152 of Unwritten Rules

He rolls his eyes. “Hmm, I guess I should start calling it Al’s office. It’s only been three damn years.”

We both laugh softly as we walk side-by-side to Alex’s office. I slip in ahead of my brother, and he closes the door softly behind us.

“Mila, we need to talk.”

“Must be serious. You never call me Mila.”

His mouth draws up in a half smile, but his eyes are sad as he holds my gaze before gesturing that we should sit.

“Why did you leave the U.K.?”

He’s not beating around the bush, is he?

“Change of pace.”

My face gives away nothing. He can’t know the reason. I can’t take this precious friendship from Nate.

I won’t have my sacrifice be worthless.

“Okay…so why have you been avoiding me? And Liv, and basically everyone from home?”

I shrug, hoping that my attempt at nonchalance is good enough to pass inspection. “I’ve been busy, Henry. I’m building a life here. I…I don’t need reminders of my old one.”

He openly flinches.

Ouch! A bit heavy on the passive-aggressiveness there, Mila.

He considers me for a long beat, his head tilted to the side with his hands shoved deep into his suit pants pockets.

When he speaks again, his words are measured. His tone is comforting, and I hate myself just a little bit more for all the lies I’m telling.

“That’s not the truth, but I won’t press you for it, Mouse. I just wanted to come here today and tell you that no matter what, I love you. I only want the absolute best for you. I want your happiness above all else.”

We sit silently, letting those words sink in.

“Whatever it takes to achieve your happiness, just know I will never keep you from it, okay?”

I swallow roughly, keeping the words inside even as my brain screams to tell him.

To come clean so that I can fly home and be honest with Nate. In the hopes that he’s not already married, that it’s not too late.

But I keep my mouth shut. Just like I’ve been warned.

Because sometimes the only way to show someone that you love them is to let them go.

CHAPTER 42

MILA

After sitting in on innumerable meetings with Henry and Grayson, we break for lunch. Henry uses the time to video call Liv and Sebastian.

My gorgeous nephew has gotten so big since I’ve last seen him.

“He’s smiling for his dad, aren’t you? Dad’s handsome boy.”

Henry turns into a puddle of mush when his son smiles in Liv’s arms.

My sister-in-law grins. “I hate to break it to you, McHottie, but that’s just a windy smile. He saves all his smiles for Mumma!”