Chapter 170

She knows how to play the game, though, and nods our way begrudgingly. Alexi looks away, avoiding her eye contact and smooths his shirt down, trying to distract himself. Her husband makes a beeline right for us, no longer in his full suit and tie but now, like Alexi, in shirt and trousers, while she hangs back and tries not to glare. Appearing busy with her guests while side watching us coldly. You can feel the hostility, and poor Lexi continues to ignore her, breaking my heart for him even more. I personally don’t give a toss about the crotchety old tart.

“Alexi, finally. Congratulation, my boy. I’m thrilled you’ve finally put this poor girl out of her misery and made her one of us.” He shakes his son’s hand heartily, smiling widely with genuine warmth on that usually serious face, before pulling him to his feet for a manly hug and a lot of back-slapping. It’s weird to see Alexi so physical with someone, but I guess that gentler touchy side had to come from one parent, at lea