Page 81 of Remember Me

At the mention of Scarlet’s name, my spirits lift.

“Did she have dinner with you and Maddie?”

She shakes her head. “She was feeling sick. Went to bed early.”

A mixture of guilt and concern ripples through me. Maybe it’s all my fault she’s fallen ill. I fight the urge to check up on her. If she’s sleeping, I don’t want to awaken her. And if she’s up, God knows what I’ll do to her. I switch gears.

“It’s late, Rosita. What are you doing down here? You should be sleeping too.”

“I came for a glass of water for Maddie.”

“My daughter . . . she’s up?”

“Sí, señor.”

I set my tumbler down. “You know what, Rosita? Why don’t you get some shut-eye, and I’ll bring Maddie some water.”

Five minutes later, I’m in my daughter’s room with a plastic sippy cup in my hand. Her nightlight is on. She bolts up when she sees me.

“Daddy! You’re back! Where did you go?”

“I had some business to take care of.” No mention of Kayla. “What are you doing up, baby?” I stride over to her bed, my spirits brightening at the sight of my bright-eyed child.

“I couldn’t sleep.” I hand her the cup of water and she takes several sips. “Thanks, Daddy!”

“I want you to go to sleep now. Tomorrow’s a school day.”

“Can I show you something first?”

Reluctantly, I say yes. Her eyes glistening with excitement, she dips her little hand inside her worn, fuzzy kangaroo’s pouch.

“Look what I found.” My jaw drops and my eyes flare with shock as they behold the object in her palm. A necklace.

“Where did you find that?” I gasp.

“In my classroom. Under my desk. Before I had dinner. I think it belongs to Scarlet.”

My mind is a whirling dervish. While I try to make sense of Maddie’s discovery, she snaps open the object hanging from the gold chain. A locket.

“Daddy, it has a picture of you, me, and Mommy. Just like the one on my nightstand.”

I stare at the photo, my heart and mind racing, thinking back to that fatal night. It was around Skye’s neck! I’m sure of it!

Frenzied, I refocus my attention on my daughter. She snaps the locket shut and then flips it over, showing off her reading skills. “And on the back it has the word “Forever.” She spells it out, then cocks her head. “Daddy, why would Scarlet have this locket with our picture in it?”

I have no words; I’m speechless. Rattled to the bone, I want to snatch it from her, but force myself to slip the heirloom out of her hand as gently as possible. Quickly, I tuck my daughter back into bed and kiss her goodnight. Hurrying out of her room, I hear my heart thud. My need for the truth pulses through my head like a freight train. In answer to her question, I’m going to find out.

Right this very second.

CHAPTER 50

Skye

No matter how much I will it, I can’t fall asleep. Tossing and turning, I feel feverish. The loss of my locket has undone me. Tormented, all I can think about is the afternoon I spent in Finn’s studio. What kind of game was he playing with me? Showing me that portrait. Asking me to practically bare myself to him. Touching me. Staring at me. Taunting me. Playing that Springsteen song that begged me to reveal myself. Then, the phone call. Rubbing my chest where my locket should be, I start to obsess about Finn and Kayla. The two of them together. Getting married. My heart aches. This masquerade has gone on far too long. But it’s probably too late to end it. Besides, why would he ever take me back? He thinks I cheated on him. Had an affair. Maybe I did. I still can’t remember what led to my near-fatal accident. Any glimmer of the truth eludes me.

The melodic ebb and flow of the ocean drifts through the open window, the soothing sound on replay. It doesn’t relax me. Why can’t I remember? I search my mind, but it’s too clouded with self-doubt and anguish. My head throbs with frustration that gives way to despair. Tears in my eyes, I at last succumb to the night.

My slumber is short-lived. Just after I doze off, a loud rap at the front door awakens me. The rapping is ruthless, growing louder and faster with each knock. Finn’s voice accompanies the banging.

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