Page 144 of That Last Secret

“They didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“About… Logan,” Emiline chokes out his name as if this is the first time she’s said it since she woke up.

I nod. “The girls stayed home until you’re open for visitors, and Thomas and I are taking turns.”

“Taking turns?” She tilts her head in confusion. “There’s no reason for you two to take turns to see me. I’m not in some kind of isolation.” She looks over to Brooke, standing off in the corner. “Why can’t they all be here?”

“Not here, Em,” I say. She looks back at me. “We’re taking turns with Logan.”

Now it’s her turn for her face to go sheet white. She looks like I just broke her heart all over again by saying his name out loud.

“Is he? Oh my god. Is he alive?” Her breath catches in her throat like it’s closing in on her. “Where is he?”

“He’s in the intensive care unit. You didn’t know?” I ask, confused.

“Is he alive?” she practically shouts as more tears form in her eyes.

“He’s alive. But he’s in critical condition,” I answer honestly, leaving out the details for now.

I watch as Emiline crumbles right in front of me.

She brings her knees to her chest and covers her face as she sobs uncontrollably.

I’ve never felt so helpless for my sister in my life.

This was real.

Whatever she and Logan have going on is so fucking real.

I pretendto fall asleep so Marc and Brooke will leave me alone for more than fifteen minutes. Brooke hasn’t left my side since I woke up, and don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly thankful for her.

But right now, I need some time to process what’s happening.

Logan is alive.

He’s alive.

The second the door to my hospital room closes behind them, I break down and let the tears fall. I use the layer of blankets over me to hide my shaking body and the pillow to mask the noises of my cries.

I don’t even understand why I’m still a wreck over this.

I lied. I totally know why.

My body is changing by the minute, and hormones are racing in preparation for a growing baby. Right now, this little thing inside me might just be the size of a pea.

In another four weeks, and it will be the size of a strawberry.

I only remember this from when James’ mom was around and going through her pregnancy. Each week, there was a different fruit and vegetable.

What would Logan think of all this?

Our last words to each other weren’t good ones.

In my heart, I should’ve seen it coming. I just graduated and watched Logan’s demeanor change at my graduation dinner.

He wanted a little more time before we told them.

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