Chapter 45 Chapter 45 His face flushed bright red before he broke into a fit of coughing . Alessia couldn't stand to watch any longer - she pressed her hand on his arm , and to everyone's surprise , Zachary's coughing stopped at once . " Huh ? Who ? " Brendan blinked , wondering if age was making him hear things . " Eddie , " Alessia repeated , crisp and clear , as if worried Brendan might miss it a second time . " Wait , Lessie , let's put everything else aside - Eddie is famously elusive ! He's always off the radar . How do you know he'll be back in the country next week ? " " He told me himself , " Alessia replied , as if it were the most obvious thing in the world . The other three just stared at her , dumbfounded by the sudden revelation . Their minds swirled with questions , but when it came time to ask , the words stuck in their throats . They exchanged glances , caught somewhere between shock and disbelief . " He happens to be an artist , knows a bit of psychology , and he's incredibly calm . I thought I'd take Ivan to see him - maybe it'll help ." " An artist … and knows psychology ," Zachary echoed , his lips twitching in disbelief . This was someone whose name had made it into textbooks by the age of twenty - five - a rare prodigy who'd made waves in both the art world and medical circles , known and respected across the globe . You couldn't just buy access to a man like this ; even people in power treated him with deference . But Zachary kept these thoughts to himself . With his little sister just back home , he was determined not to lose his big - brother composure . hem " Lessie , what's your connection to Eddie , anyway ? " Ivan's condition had se searching for every doctor and specialist they could find , so it wasn't entirely surprising that Alessia knew of Eddie . But that's what made it all the more astonishing - Eddie was nearly impossible to track down , so much so that even the tabloids gave up trying to find him . He hadn't always been so reclusive . Years ago , he'd accidentally been photographed at an art exhibit . The photo went viral , and suddenly everyone wanted a piece of him. His achievements became public knowledge , and so did his private life . Fed up , Eddie vanished from the internet and melted into the city . Since then , unless he chose to make an appearance at an exhibition or conference , no one could 1/2 13:50 3 Chapter reach him . That's why the Brendans had never managed to pin him down - truth be told , they never even knew what city he was in . " He's a friend ," Alessia said simply , her expression innocent and earnest . " Lessie , listen , men are … well , not all of them are good news , you're still young … " . Zachary swallowed , searching for a gentle way to explain - but Alessia burst out laughing . " Oh , come on , Zachary . What are you thinking ? I'm not even eighteen yet ! " She shook her head , half exasperated , half amused . " Good , good job ," Zachary replied awkwardly , giving her hair a pat and quickly changing the subject . Alessia almost wanted to retort , but let it go . Neither noticed that , little by little , they'd let each other into that small circle of comfort they both guarded so closely . " So , what do you think , Mom ? Dad ? " Alessia hadn't forgotten the reason for the conversation . Her question snapped the group back to reality . " Of course you can ! " Brendan said at once . " If Ivan won't go out , I'll drag him out myself to see Eddie with you ." " But … you might not be able to come in with us , " Alessia added gently, choosing her words with care . The couple exchanged a look , then nodded in silent agreement . " We understand , we really do ," Karen said , rubbing her hands together nervously . " If Ivan can just meet Mr. Chase , that's more than enough . It's better than doing nothing at all . " " Thank you , Lessie ." Brendan stepped forward and rested a heavy hand or her shoulder . The streaks of gray in his hair looked a little more pronounced , and his gratitude was tinged with quiet sorrow . 40