Page 26 of Isolation

With my family around, even this haunted house from my nightmares is camouflaged as a semi-okay dream.

I spend the rest of the afternoon cramming in as much quality family time as possible, surprised at how naturally we all still fit in with each other.

Soon, I wander into the kitchen, looking for a clean glass. I have just opened the cabinet when I hear hysterical screaming coming from the dining room.

“What the fuck!” I turn towards the sound and limp my way back to the dining room.

I have barely entered the room when I find Tessa surrounded by a herd.

My parents are screaming and shrieking from the scene in front of them, while Uncle Reese is calmly taking charge.

I exchange a quick, knowing look with Milo and Mia. They have the same thought as I do.

None of our other drama matters anymore. Not Milo’s lust-crazed sociopathic behavior. Not Raven’s strange panic from earlier today. Not even the devastated, missing Sinclair.

The only thing that matters is this scene in front of us before things progress for the worse.

CHAPTER 3

Eight Days Later

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Milo

“I don’t understand. Where are we?” Raven looks around.

“We are at my condo,” I gesture towards the open living room.

Rave’s recovery process has been slow. The journey to our recovery, even slower. I can admit to that part being my fault.

However, Raven’s recovery was sidetracked when Tessa started spiraling again. Tessa had a full-on side effect from her prescription drugs. It was… bad, to say the least. It’s the most extreme side effect she has ever had.

Almost overnight, Tessa went off her meds and reverted back to her old self who stays withdrawn in her room.

When we finally got in touch with her doctor, he insisted that it was a fluke, and the effects of the medication will dwindle unless we get her to stay on course.

However, Tessa refuses to take her medication.

Personally, I don’t pay too much attention to Tessa’s up and down battle.My perspective on Tessa is different. I see her less as a mother and more like a sick relative.I treat her as another item on my chore list.

Raven andMia are not quite so jaded.As a result, there is finallya silver liningto this shit. Raven has put aside our differences to stay focused on our Tessa related efforts.

Today she agreed to tag along with me to a holistic pharmacy. The pharmacy has some alternative options that worked for Tessa the last time she went off her prescribed medication.

On the way back, I scheduled a detour at my condo, which I “forgot”to mention.

Raven spins in the middle of the large living room to take in my apartment. She doesn’t give anything away with her expression.

Maybe I should have made this place more presentable before showing it to her. I can’t tell what she thinks of the place. Does she like it?

I put down the brown bag from the pharmacy and shove my hands in my pockets. I nervously watch her as she walks through the living room and looks over the large terrace.

Having a terrace in New York is a treat. The condo has a large terrace with a beautiful view overlooking the city. Short of the excellent view, the high-end building, and location, my place is nothing fancy.

I travel a lot for work; promoting the app from city to city, meeting with investors and investment bankers alike. I seldom come back to New York.

In fact, this is the longest I have been in New York in years. When I come back, my parents and Mia insist that I stay with them. So, I never decorated this place.