.
Nick brought it up so nonchalantly, as he was sorting the laun-dry on the Sunday afternoon before their big trip. ApparentlyNick‘sparents had only just been informed that Rachel wascoming with him to Singapore. And oh, by the way, they hadjust been made aware of her existence too.
"I don‘t quite understand . . . you mean your parents never knewabout me in all this time?" Rachel asked in astonishment.
"Yes. I mean, no, they didn‘t. But you need to know this hasabsolutely nothing to do with you—" Nick began.
"Well, it‘s a little hard not to take it personally."
"Please don‘t. I‘m sorry if it seems that way.
It‘s just that...?
Nick swallowed nervously. "It‘s just that I‘ve always tried tokeep clear boundaries between my personal life and my familylife, that‘s all."
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