"But this is too much."
"No, it isn't. I already told you how much we won. That includes your share of the winnings."
"No. No. You and Kenny need it more."
"We have enough, Ari. Please take it. You need it, too. If you don't, I'll never let you help us ever again."
Ari and Sylvie embraced while Dylan's heart pounded like mad. The longer this charade went on, the harder it would be extricate himself from the web of lies.
Now, how could he start?
Ari walked toward him with a watery smile on her face. "I have money for capital now, baby," she said happily.
He smiled at her—well, he tried—but his face must have been more of a grimace because Ari's expression turned to alarm.
"What's wrong?" she asked
"Um...nothing," he said weakly. Coward.
Ari stared at him for long minutes, her eyes searching his face.
There was nowhere to hide from that scrutiny. All he could do was silently shout his love for her through his eyes.
Ari inhaled sharply and turned to Sylvie who was watching them with interest.
"Sylvie," Ari said casually. "How much was that Lotto ticket you bought?"
"How much? Uh...I can't remember. Five dollars?" Sylvie replied tentatively.
Dylan almost laughed out loud. Jesus. When the pressure was on, Sylvie couldn't act convincingly even if her life depended on it.
"How did they send you the winnings?" Ari continued.
"Ah. I called them and gave them my bank account details."
"You gave them your bank account details over the phone?"
"Oh no. No. I didn't. That would have been a bad idea. Bad idea."
"So, how did you get the money?" Ari said, squinting at her sister.
Sylvie's deer-in-headlights gaze darted to Dylan.
He sighed, knowing they were caught. He sauntered over to Ari and took her in his arms. She was tense, but thankfully didn't push him away.
He brought his lips close to her ear. "I didn't tell you because at the time I spoke with Sylvie, I was convinced you didn't want me anymore. So I thought it would be better if you guys didn't know where the money came from. I was sure you wouldn't have accepted it, if you knew it was from me."
"What do you mean I didn't want you anymore?" she asked with a scowl.
He smiled, glad that was the part that caught her attention.
"Well, you didn't want to see me. You weren't even talking to me after all those phone messages and texts I left you. And I thought you'd never mentioned me to your sister."
"But why did you still want to help us, if you thought that?"
"Because I love you, you silly woman. How can I just sit back when I knew what you were going through?" he chastised her gently, kissing her face.
"How did you know what I was going through?" she asked, leaning back.
With that question, he was reminded of how she couldn't open up to him, how she didn't want to share significant issues with him, how she didn't want him to be a part of the solution to her problems. His heart compressed and he dropped his arms to his side. God, he thought he was fine with all that. Evidently, her capacity to hurt him was greater than he thought.
"I asked Jasmine. At least she understood," he said flatly. He was aware that his face showed pain, but he didn't care. It was about time she knew how much she hurt him.
Ari's jaw dropped in surprise at his sudden change in demeanour.
He turned and put some distance between them. "I told Sylvie that a friend of mine, who insisted on remaining anonymous, won Lotto and was feeling charitable."
Ari turned to Sylvie with arched eyebrows. "You bought that story?"
Sylvie lifted her shoulders. "He was very convincing," she replied then turned to Dylan. "So the money was really from you?"
He gave her a small smile. "Yes."
Sylvie gazed at him for long seconds before bringing her palms to her chest. "Thank you," Sylvie said, trotting to him and hugging him tight.
"It's my pleasure, Sylvie," he replied, touched.
"You're a lifesaver," Sylvie continued.
He chuckled. "Now, that's a bit of an exaggeration."
"No. It's not. All you need to do is take a look at Kenny and see how excited he is about his new leg and new athletics coach," Sylvie said. "Anyway, I think Kenny and I would go for a bit of walk before we all have lunch."
Sylvie called to her son, who was busy staring at the vista outside the balcony. "Kenny! Come with me, darling. We're going for a walk."
Sylvie turned to them before walking out the door. "If you guys don't let go of your baggage, your hands will be too full to hold each other."
When the front door closed, Dylan returned his attention on Ari. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he said softly.