<b>Chapter </b><b>45 </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>45 </b>
His face flushed bright red before he broke into a fit of coughing. Alessia <b>couldn’t </b>stand to watch any longer–she pressed her hand on his arm, and to everyone’s surprise, Zachary’s coughing stopped at once.
“Huh? Who?” Brendan blinked, wondering if age was making him hear things.
“Eddie,” Alessia repeated, crisp and clear, as if worried Brendan might miss it a second time.
“Wait, Lessie, let’s put everything else aside–Eddie is famously elusive! He’s always off the radar. How do you know he’ll be back in the country next week?”
“He told me himself,” Alessia replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. The other three just stared at her, dumbfounded by the sudden revtion. Their minds swirled with questions, but when it came time to ask, the words stuck in their throats. They exchanged nces, caught somewhere between shock and
disbelief.
“He happens to be an artist, knows a bit of psychology, and he’s incredibly calm. I thought I’d take Ivan to see him–maybe it’ll help.”
“An artist… and knows psychology,” Zachary echoed, his lips twitching in disbelief.
This was someone whose name had made it into textbooks by the age of twenty–five–a rare prodigy who’d made waves in both the art world and medical circles, known and respected across the globe. You couldn’t just buy ess to a man like this; even people in power treated him with deference.
But Zachary kept these thoughts to himself. With his little sister just back home, he was determined not to lose his big–brotherposure.
hem
“Lessie, what’s your connection to Eddie, anyway?” Ivan’s condition had se searching for every doctor and specialist they could find, so it wasn’t entirely surprising that Alessia knew of Eddie. But that’s what made it all the more astonishing–Eddie was nearly impossible to track down, so much so that even the tabloids gave up trying to find him.
He hadn’t always been so reclusive. Years ago, he’d identally been photographed at an art exhibit. The photo went viral, and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of him. His achievements became public knowledge, and so did his private life.
Fed up, Eddie vanished from the inte and melted into the city. Since then<b>, </b>unless he chose to make an appearance at an exhibition or conference, no one could
<b>13:50 </b>3
<b>Chapter </b>
reach him. That’s why the Brendans had never managed <b>to </b><b>pin </b><b>him </b><b>down</b><b>–</b><b>truth </b>be told, they never even knew what city he was in.
“He’s a friend,” Alessia said simply, her expression innocent and earnest.
“Lessie, listen, men are… well, not all of them are good news, you’re still <b>young</b><b>…</b><b>“</b><b>. </b>Zachary swallowed, searching for a gentle way to exin–but Alessia burst <b>out </bughing.
“Oh,e on, Zachary. What are you thinking? I’m not even eighteen yet!” She shook her head, half exasperated, half amused.
“Good, good job,” Zachary replied awkwardly, giving her hair a pat and quickly changing the subject. Alessia almost wanted to retort, but let it go.
Neither noticed that, little by little, they’d let each other into that small circle offort they both guarded so closely.
“So, what do you think, Mom? Dad?” Alessia hadn’t forgotten the reason for the conversation.
Her question snapped the group back to reality.
“Of course you can!” Brendan said at once. “If Ivan won’t go out, I’ll drag him out myself to see Eddie with you.”
“But… you might not be able toe in with us,” Alessia added gently, choosing her words with care.
The couple exchanged a look, then nodded in silent agreement.
“We understand, we really do,” Karen said, rubbing her hands together nervously. “<b>If </b>Ivan can just meet Mr. Chase, that’s more than enough. It’s better than doing nothing at all.”
“Thank you, Lessie.” Brendan stepped forward and rested a heavy hand or her shoulder. The streaks of gray in his hair looked a little more pronounced, and his gratitude was tinged with quiet sorrow.
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