She didn’t turn around. “I’m fine. I just needed some air.”
“You’re not fine.”
“I am. I just—” Her voice caught. “Give me a minute.”
I moved closer, stopped a few feet behind her. Close enough to reach her if she needed it, far enough to give her space if she didn’t.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me.” The words came out edged with frustration. “Something’s been wrong since you came back and you just walked out on my daughter in the middle of a session.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll go back in?—”
“I don’t care about the session.” I did care about the session, but that wasn’t the point. “I care about whatever’s happening with you.”
She shook her head, still not looking at me. “It’s nothing you can help with.”
“Try me.”
“Hector—”
“What is it?” I moved closer, close enough to see the tears she was fighting back. “Money? The exam? Something else? Tell me what you need and I’ll handle it.”
“You can’t handle this.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Nobody can.”
“Then at least tell me what it is. Stop carrying everything alone.”
She finally turned to look at me. Her eyes were red and wet, her face pale except for two spots of color high on her cheeks.
“I can’t,” she said. “If I tell you, I’ll lose everything. Lily, this job, you—” She stopped, seemed to realize what she’d just said. “I’ll lose everything that matters.”
The confession hit me square in the chest. You. She’d said you like I mattered to her the same way Lily did.
“You won’t lose us,” I said—and meant every word. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”
She laughed, but it sounded broken. “You don’t know what you’re promising.”
“Then tell me.”
For a long moment, I thought she might. I watched her war with herself, saw the words fighting to come out. But in the end, she just shook her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“I can’t. Not yet.” She took a shaky breath. “I need to go back in. Lily’s probably worried.”
“Sarah—”
“Please. Just… let me have a little more time.”
I wanted to push. Wanted to demand answers until she broke and told me everything. But I’d spent enough time with Lily to know that pushing someone who wasn’t ready only made them shut down harder.
“Fine,” I said. “But when you’re ready to talk, I’m here.”
She nodded and walked past me, back inside to Lily. I stayed on the balcony and stared out at the city, trying to understand what the hell was happening.
I investigated anyway.
Called the building manager of her apartment, asked if there had been any issues. Nothing. Called the police, and confirmed that the loan sharks were still in custody. They were. Checked her employment records, her background, anything that might give me a clue.
