Page 20

Olivia

I t must be hours that I’m waiting for any sort of reassurance that she’s okay. The worst part is not knowing.

Why? Why would someone do this? What kind of person could do this to a helpless animal?

Taylor paces the lobby of the hospital, phone to his ear while he calmly utters demands. I don’t know who’s on the other line, but when the clinic doors open and Crew steps inside, he quickly ends the call.

Despite being four in the morning, Crew looks as alert as ever. He's wearing sweatpants and a tight shirt, hair slightly damp from a shower. No sign of the tears that have rubbed my own face raw. His eyes quickly track over me- over my blood ridden dress. Maybe it’s concern that flickers over him.

Or maybe I’m just imagining it.

“Did you find anything?” I overhear Taylor ask, and Crew’s eyes briefly fly to him as he responds with something I can’t hear. Then his eyes are on me again.

He raises a brow, a crease forming as if to ask, You okay?

Honestly… I have no idea.

I just shrug. He nods slowly, understanding passing between us before he continues talking with Taylor. I fix my gaze on the receptionist. She’s clacking away at the keyboard, and while she said she’d update me as soon as she knows anything, I still want to demand to know what’s happening.

The front doors slide open, admitting my father, and my gaze swings to him.

“Button?”

“Dad.” I sigh, running to him and letting him wrap me in a hug. His arms are strong and warm, and for a few moments, I just let him comfort me. If I could cry anymore, I would, but I don’t think I have any tears left.

He draws back, gaping at the blood covering my dress. “What happened? I came as soon as Warden called.”

Disbelief has me shaking my head. “S-someone broke in. They hurt Chesna. There was so much blood-“

“Shhh.” He squeezes me again. “It’s alright now.”

I bury my face in his coat, doing my best not to think about it. “I just don’t understand. Why would anyone ever do this?” I sniffle, my voice stifled against him.

He rubs my back gently. “It’s alright now, Button. I’m here.”

His words should bring me comfort, but they don’t. I feel scared and confused and angry. I shiver against the onslaught of cool air from the front doors opening again.

“Mr. Hughes.”

I lift my head when I hear Taylor’s voice. Both he and Crew are standing at the reception counter. “We should talk.”

I can see the worry etched into Crew’s dark eyes. They trace over me again, and he rolls his neck before staring at my father. “This is a conversation for later. We should get her home.”

“You should stay at Aspen House. It’s safer,” Taylor suggests.

Dad shakes his head enthusiastically. “No,” I cut him off, rubbing my hands over the chill that creeps over my arms. “I have to be up in a few hours anyways.” I sigh, rubbing my temple.

It’s already four. I have a wedding to be at by ten.

“I’ll take you back then,” Taylor says, nodding despite the frown on my father’s face.

He’s looking at me like he wants to throttle me for being so stubborn, but eventually, he sighs. “Alright. But I’m coming to check on you. You hear?” He tips my chin up, and I nod, forcing myself to agree. “Bye, Button. I love you.”

Dad kisses my head as I grab the clutch I somehow managed to bring along. “You too.”

“Ms. Hughes.” Crew’s voice is at my neck, and I quickly turn. He searches my face as though he’s looking for something before he finally says, “We did find something.”

My heart leaps at the information, and I face him fully. “What is it?”

He gages my expression carefully. “Do you know anything about this?”

He withdraws his phone to show me a picture of my apartment. It’s the view of my kitchen from the island, but in the middle of the white quarts there’s a bouquet of putrid red roses wrapped in crisp brown paper, crimson ribbon tied around the stems.

My stomach drops as I take the phone to zoom in more closely.

The notes. The flowers.

“Where did you find these?”

“In the kitchen.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “You found them inside ??” I ask, my voice hoarse.

His eyes burn into me, and I don’t like that he can read the panic on my face. “Just like that. On the counter.”

They were in my house. They came into my apartment-

“Was- Was there a note? You didn’t find anything else?”

He says gently, “Is there something you need to tell me?”

My palms feel sweaty all of a sudden, any chill I had before now gone. I try to swallow the wave of sickness that follows.

They hurt her. They broke in, hurt her, and left the flowers behind.

“I-“ The words get caught in my throat. “I think I’ve made a mistake.”

He stills, body going tense as he blinks. “What are you talking about?”

I look at him, still unable to form the words. What if this is all my fault?

“I’ll show you.”

Without another moment’s hesitation, I stop by the front desk and tell the nurse my plan. Even if I don’t sleep tonight, I can at least get home, change, maybe clean the havoc that’s been left in my apartment. But first, I have to come clean.

Crew and Taylor follow behind, and when I wordlessly get in Taylor’s car, Taylor drives me back with Crew on our tail. As the tires rumble over the road, I try not to think about Chesna’s blood still staining the seats.