At least I hope you will.
I was too ashamed to tell you in words, so I tried to show you through art.
Alex, my love…
Someone out there holds the missing link to completing the puzzle.
When you find them, you’ll have found the only part of me that truly exists.
I hope you will forgive me.
—Meera
“Fuuuck.” I exhale because there’s really nothing else to say. How the hell does she expect Alex to find the missing piece when he doesn’t even know what he’s looking for… or who?
I lean back in my chair, eyes dropping once more to the orange piece of plastic in my hand.
Damn. Where have I seen this before?
Teya steps beside me and gently slips the letter and puzzle piece back into the envelope.
“So… you agree, right?” she says quietly. “That there’s another child? Somewhere? It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
I hesitate, but the knot in my stomach tightens in agreement.
“I hate to say it,” I admit, dragging both hands through my hair, “but, yeah… it surefeelsthat way.” I exhale hard. “Maybe it’s time you told Alex?”
“Told me what?”
Our heads whip around at the exact same time.
Alex is standing in the doorway.
ALEX
Guilt.
It’s spread across their faces like wet paint. Well—on my sister’s, at least. Elijah, on the other hand? Cool as a fuckingcucumber. His poker face is flawless, giving nothing away as he glances over at me with unsettling ease.
“Good morning, mi amor,” he says.
I ignore him. My eyes go straight to Teya.
“Why is he here?”
Let me get you some water. You need water.
That voice. Sweet. Gentle.Noah.
I shake my head, trying to scrub Noah’s words from my mind like a bad dream. But it lingers.
You’re drunk.
Oh god.
I shuffle over to the refrigerator and grab a bottle of cold water. Holding it to my forehead, I hope it will freeze the memory.
“He’s here because I asked him for his help,” Teya says, her voice guilt soaked and trembling. “And because he loves you.”
