Chapter 54. Evening

Julia

As he pulls me along out of the dining room and toward the art room, I am wishing Braxton would’ve said something to me about the lawsuit that Jeff is filing against him. Braxton hasn’t mentioned it since he got home. He’s acting like there’s nothing wrong, and I know that’s not the case.

I’m sure he just doesn’t want me to worry about it, but I am worried about it. If my mom hadn’t told me about the lawsuit, I wouldn’t know there was anything wrong at all. Braxton is keeping it from me to protect me, but he needs to trust me. He needs to confide in me.

Once we reach the art room, Braxton releases my hand and goes inside to look at my artwork. I slow down and linger closer to the door. He stops before he walks around the front of the easel and looks at me, as if he’s trying to gauge whether or not I am okay with him looking. I am still hesitant, but I say nothing, and Braxton rounds the corner.

I watch his face as he takes in the unfin