Page 160 of The Echo of Forever

“Ma,” I whispered, looking into eyes that matched my own. “Can you just tell me if something happened to me back then? Have I been forgetting things all my life?”

I hated the desperation in my voice. Because it only reminded me how equally afraid I was of learning the truth.

What if what happened was so terrible that my mind had been protecting me all these years? What if remembering broke something in me that couldn’t be fixed?

What if he doesn’t want me anymore?

I shook that thought away as soon as it materialized.

My mother grabbed my face gently out of nowhere, her thumb stroking my skin softly. For a moment, I thought she might actually answer me. Then her hand dropped away.

“Will you go to the spa appointment? It’s important you do that.”

“Yes, I’ll go.”

I tried to hide my disappointment and sat patiently, hoping she would answer at least one of my questions. But as the silence stretched between us, growing heavier with each passing second, I realized I’d get nothing more out of her today.

The spa appointment was the price for information, and she wouldn’t budge until I’d paid it.

“I’m glad you’re doing okay,” I said, standing and turning toward the door. “I know my husband came to see you. Did you tell him?”

I had put a tracker on him when we parted that day, and seen his location pinned at the facility for almost an hour. I pretended not to know until I was ready to face it, but deep down, I knew I’d never really be ready.

All of my effort now had to do with wanting to be the best version of myself for Demetrius. I craved that more than anything.

“Yes, because I’m convinced he loves every fiber of your being and will protect you.”

Her words held a finality that told me our conversation was over. But that had been all I needed to hear, confirmation that my husband knew about my past and could fill in the blanks when I was ready.

I left without a word and headed to EG, my mind churning with questions. When I pushed through the revolving doors, I spotted Tristian Cannon immediately. He was arguing with security, his animated gestures drawing more attention than was probably wise for the new climate we were forcing on them.

He spotted me mid-argument.

“Forever! Tell these fools I’m with you,” he shouted, waving at security.

I squinted at him, contemplating leaving him to deal with the mess he’d made, even turned as if to walk away. Since leaving the little troublemaker wasn’t an option, I lifted my hand and signaled for security to let him through.

“Thought you were about to leave me hanging,” Tristian said, a big-ass smile spreading across his boyish face as he jogged over to me.

Despite myself, I found it infectious. He had that Cannon charm.

“I promise I’m not here to interrupt your day with bullsh… nonsense…” He glanced at me after correcting himself, as if I’d be offended by his language. “But I wanted to talk to you about something.”

I could tell whatever was on his mind was bothering him.

“Come on,” I said, heading toward the elevators. “We’ll talk in my office.”

As the elevator climbed, I studied his reflection in the doors. Tristian had Arland’s height and Oliver’s eyes, but there was something unmistakably Demetrius living inside of it. It wasstrange to think of my husband as an authority figure to this kid, but then again, he was an authority figure to most people.

The doors slid open, and I led him down the corridor to my office. He followed closely, his head turning to take in everything as we walked. Once inside, he stood in the middle of the room and scanned the place, turning in a full circle like he was committing it all to memory.

“I bet there’s a safe behind that painting and a hidden door right there,” he said, more to himself than to me, pointing to the section of bookshelf that did, in fact, conceal the passage.

I whistled sharply, and his eyes immediately met mine.

“Let’s start with whether you snuck off the compound or not?” I asked, settling behind my desk.

He shook his head and pulled his backpack off.