Chapter 362

"Well Pearl, at least your life is never boring." Fi said at dinner. She and Ian and Dylan all sat at the dining table in the small dining room. Pearl was exhausted from hospital visits and trying to manage everything.

"Yeah." Pearl sighed, finishing her wine.

"Something is just odd with him, you know? Like he's in some competition. He wouldn't even move for three weeks and then one day, BAM! He's acting like he's training for a decathlon. It's odd, you know? Men." Pearl said. "His surgery is in two days. He's been trying to make it happen sooner but the doctors have been on the fence about it."

Ian shrugged. "Men can be weird like that. It's all testosterone and balls and meat. That's what we do. We make it whatever we need to, to get through." He said.

"That's complete shit! You know that? If a man has to make something about competition all the time, then he's a child." Fi said.

Dylan cleared his throat. "What do you think made him all of a sudden want to get better?" He asked, looking directly at Pearl.

"I don't know. But when I was there and when I talked about the kids, our life, he just looked at me like I wasn't there. Then one day it all changed." She said. Dylan nodded his head slowly.

"Yeah. Is see." He said.

There was silence at the table. "So anyhow, the album is finished and the guys are in love with it. It is fantastic. The release party is next Friday. They invited you, Queen." Ian said with a smile.

"I can't go to an album release party. What would the press say?" Pearl said.

"The last time I checked, you are the queen of fucking England and you do whatever the hell you want." Fi said.

"While my husband is in the hospital? No. I can't." She said.

"Make sure it's always good for them. It has to be about about Sebastian's best interest. Or Erik. Or Rhys. When does it get to be about you?" Dylan snarled.

They all looked at him, in a bit of shock. "I'm sorry. It's just been a long week. Sorry, Pearl. That was out of line." He said, getting up and excusing himself from the room. Fi followed him and Ian and Pearl sat in silence, as Ian poured her another glass of wine.

"Dylan, wait up. Wait." Fi said, following him the study.

"I apologize about that. I'm just tired, you know?" He said, tapping is foot and pouring a glass of bourbon. He was tense and clearly agitated.

"Dyl, I think we need to talk." Fi said.

"I'm fine, really." Dylan said, slamming the drink and pouring another. Fi put her hands on his arms and Dylan broke down into tears. Sobs. She hugged him and let him cry until he calmed himself down. "I love her so much. And she just can't get past her own shit. She is her own worst enemy, Fi." He finally said.

"Dylan, this love you have is going to destroy you." Fi said. "It's not healthy."

"See that's where you're wrong. Pearl's choices have always been the unhealthy things all these years. My love, that's one of the only things that has been right." He said.

Fi didn't disagree. He wasn't wrong. They way he cared for her wasn't selfish. He had stood by her, every step of the way.

"Dylan, why now? Why are you losing it now?" Fi asked. "She needs support."

"Oh I gave her support alright." Dylan said. And he proceeded to tell her about what he said to her in the garden about leaving this entire life behind. About how she was always something for everyone else but never herself. How Sebastian didn't care. How he wanted to just lay there and die and leave the mess for Pearl to clean up once again. And then he told her what he did.

"Oh my god, Dylan. You did what?" Fi asked. Dylan nodded and looked down. Some of his hair falling out of the tie back, which he tucked behind his ear.

"Yeah. I thought I was helping. And I did, you know? He came around. He's working his ass off." Dylan said.

"But only because he knows that every minute he's in there, you're out here, moving in on his wife." Fi said. Dylan nodded.

"Should I tell Pearl?" He asked.

"Tell me what?" Pearl asked, walking in.