Episode 621: Forget About It

Sebastian couldn’t blame her for feeling any of those things. "Just forget it," he told her. "Forget I said anything. It was just a thought."

"An insane thought," Ava supplied.

"Yes," Bas agreed, though his father did not. But wasn’t his father’s opinion what mattered most? He shook his head and made eye contact with Ava again. No. Ava was what mattered. She was what he stood to lose if he didn’t abide by his father’s wishes.

"You were good at being my mother’s assistant though," he pushed. "You didn’t hate it."

"I would hate being in that house, possibly crossing paths with your father everyday. I know you love him, so once in a while I can do it, but I won’t do it every day. He repulses me. He manipulates his children whenever the opportunity arises. He’s willing to do anything to have his way."

"Considering the guy walked out on you, do you think you should still hold a grudge on his behalf?" He sounded bitter. He felt it, too, even though he knew there was no reason to be jealous, his dad just had him feeling so cornered that he couldn’t see straight.

"Why do you have such a problem with this lately?" Ava asked, with much more worry than anger. "It’s not a problem, Bas. It’s just who I am. I loved him and so I care that he was exploited. Even if I didn’t love him I would care. He’s a vulnerable person and your father preyed on that. It bothers me. I don’t think it’s wrong to care."

Bas nodded. "I love that about you." So many times he’d screwed up and he’d hurt her and as much as she’d tried, she’d never disowned him. That was what mattered. That was so different from the world he grew up in, a world he would somehow find a way to keep from her, after he’d stupidly invited it close. "Forget the job with my mom, like I said, it was just a thought."

Episode 622: Fallout