“Helen!” Devon says concerned in the background. “Are you okay? Jace. Oliver. Hamilton. What did you say to your mother?”
Helen ignores everything Devon’s saying and the phone must get closer to her face as the image enlarges.
“Rory?” Helen whispers.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told them over the phone,” Jace mumbles and I shush him.
Emotion tightens in my throat as I smile wobbly at Helen. “Hey, Helen.”
“Little one?” There’s another bang and Devon’s face appears beside Helen. Complete shock fills both their faces.
“Hey, Bear,” I say, teasingly and Devon bursts out into booming laugher. The sound echoes through me and into my heart.
“Oh, Rory,” Helen says, a hand covering her mouth. Her eyes seem to search every inch of what she can see. Like she can see into my soul.
"Don't cry, Mum," Jace says softly when tears fill Helen's eyes. Devon puts an arm around Helen's shoulders.
"How?" Devon manages to get out. His light chocolate irises are filled with sorrow as he comforts his wife.
I try but I can't help the pent-up pain, anger and frustration that rises up, leaking out through my tear ducts.
Like he knows, Jace looks down. Wordlessly, he pulls me into his chest.
Someone rubs up and down my back, gently. I take unsteady breaths as I start to regain control of my emotions.
There's silence in the room. Neither Devon or Helen say anything but I can near Helen's quiet sniffling.
Once I'm no longer crying, I lift my head off Jace's chest. My eyes connect with Luc’s.
His eyebrows are pulled down as concern etches lines into his forehead. It must have been Luc rubbing my back.
When my gaze goes back to Alec's phone, I realise Helen hasn't taken her eyes off me.
I feel embarrassment creep up on me and I quickly banish it away. I wipe away the still falling tears and lean back into Jace's strong embrace.
"Please tell me you're away from him," Helen's voice breaks as she speaks.
I glance up at Jace, unsure of what they know. Jace knew about how my dad had gotten abusive after my Mum died.Dec couldn't hide the bruises anymore and Jace flipped out. We begged him not to tell his parents, knowing it would only get worse.
"I'm sorry, Ro. I had to," he says, resigned.
"It's okay," I assure him, quietly. I turn back to Helen. "The guys got me out," I tell her, shakily.
"I'm so sorry, honey," Helen sobs. "I tried to find you, I really did. After you called three years ago, I got a private investigator but I couldn't find you."
"Love, you need to calm down," Devon says quietly to Helen. She takes a deep breath and nods. He kisses the top of her head.
Seeing Helen cry, seeing the emotion Devon's trying to hide…I get a first hand glimpse at the pain I've caused.
Tears start to fall again. "I'm sorry," I choke. "I'm so sorry."
I barely notice as Jace hands the phone off to someone else. He says something to someone and his arms pull me into his chest. I struggle against his tight hold but he doesn't let up.
Everything Jace and his parents went through…it's my fault. I should have called. I should have tried harder. I should have gone to them.
I should have tried.
Jace ~
