#Chapter 168: Help In Unlikely Places

Julian’s POV As Aunt Kathy and Penny entertained Alice, I stepped to the side, needing a minute to catch my breath after all of this. Alice was safe, taken care of by her dear aunt and cousin, so I knew now was the opportunity to just step to the side, look out the window, and center myself. Besides, I was still within hearing distance if Alice made any sounds of distress. Really, I just needed a moment alone, so I was annoyed when Tony approached me. But, at the same time, if he was bothering me, he was away from Alice. He’d acted okay today, but I hadn’t forgotten his initial reaction to Alice or the other things he had said. That meant I was happy to have him away from Alice, but I couldn’t be outwardly rude to him. As family, I felt inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since he apologized. “I don’t understand how you did it,” he said. “Did what?” “Kept Alice’s condition a secret all this time,” Tony said. “Surely this can’t be the first time the