Zara nods, “It would be expected of her, yes, and people will expect to see her so it would raise questions if she’s not there. I don’t think they would do that to her, though.”
I stare down at my feet.
“What?”
“Liam murdered my brother, Zara and his father covered it up, they absolutely would do that to her.”
Her eyes widen, “What are you talking about?”
I explain it to her, all of it and by the time I’m finished, her skin is three times paler and horror shines in her eyes.
“Oh my god,” She whispers, “We have to do something.”
I nod in agreement but fuck if I know what. I can’t find Marly; I don’t know what they’ve done to her and tomorrow, the mayor is going to announce the complete destruction of our part of town.
The world is quite literally falling apart around me but none of it matters.
Only she does.
And I am going to find her.
Chapter Forty-four
My palms are sweating, and it feels as if my heart is about to beat right out of my chest. I haven’t been this terrified ever. I got up this morning feeling confident about what I’m going to do today, but as the hours have ticked down, my nerves have only gotten worse.
I’d stared at myself for a long time this morning after I’d woken up in a new bed, in a new house with a new life. For all of a second, I thought I could just forget about it. I could pretend I knew nothing and go on the rest of my life without ever stepping foot back in that town or seeing my family. But a second was enough for guilt and regret to twist me up. And heartache.
I couldn’t leave it how it is knowing what I know. What kind of person would it make me if I let that monster continue to control all those lives and get away with the horrendous crimes he’s already committed? How could I live with myself knowing River, the man who broke my heart and shattered me into a million pieces, is one of the people my family has ruined?
I don’t blame him anymore for what he did, no matter how much it hurt, but I wouldn’t forgive him for it. I have to be stronger for myself and look after myself now, even if I am still in love with the man who kicked me when I was down.
My whole life is in shambles, everything is rubble and the only person who can put it all back together again is me.
I stop in front of the mirror for the final time, running my fingers through my hair even though not a single strand is out of place. I had none of my things with me, no makeup or clothes and had to go out late last night to try find a store that was open for me to grab a few things, but I couldn’t get much.
My eye has bruised since yesterday, the shadow blooming around my eye socket and across my cheekbone but where the cut is, stings the most. There’s an ache there that doesn’t go away, even when I take pain meds. No point in hiding it anyway, not when it’s more proof of how hideous my family is.
I push away my trepidation, there is no room for it now and walk to my car. The drive back to town is quiet, easy and I pull into a parking lot behind the town square, gathering my laptop and the folders I have in the front seat.
My parents are already on the podium, appearing like nothing is amiss while pretty much the entire town stands ahead of them, split down the middle. It’s sickening to see the divide that my family created.
It fuels the fire inside my veins to right their wrongs.
They haven’t spotted me, so I make sure they don’t and disguise myself in the crowd as they get ready to make their announcements.
“If everyone would be seated,” My father steps up to the mic, a pleasant, comforting smile on his face. How did I let that fool me for so long?
The crowd moves around me, finding the fold out chairs or taking a seat on the ground as they wait for him to continue. My mother stands at the back behind him on the left, my brother on the right. I’d be beside my mother right now; in a disgustingly pretty dress she picked out with heels pinching my toes.
I know there is going to be a limited window of opportunity and a glance at my watch shows it to be almost time.
“Thank you all for joining us today, I understand this was such short notice and we don’t do this very often, but for a long time this has been a concern for the entire community, and I wanted to be able to address it in person so you all know I am striving to create the best version of this town for the generations to come.”
My teeth grind at the lies.
“For a long while, the beloved south side of West Rock has fallen into a state of disrepair, with funds unable to cover the damage. Many of the buildings have been condemned or lost in the fires that devastated the community all those months ago.”
There’s a murmuring through the crowd, mostly in agreement but that’s just because the wealthy are the loudest. I glance to where the true victims are sitting, their faces a mix of sadness and anger, all directed toward my father.
