Page 114 of Don't Leave Me

“How was your day?”

I nodded and smiled. “Good. I’ve gotten everything from the Williamsburg apartment. Billie seemed sad. I don’t know how she’s going to handle our engagement,” I confessed.

Michael looked confused and sat back against the comfortable couch.

“Why?”

I sighed, looking down at my hands. “She’s like an overprotective sister. She already thinks we’re moving too fast by moving in together,” I answered honestly.

Michael smiled lightly. “She’ll come around,” he said confidently.

I gave him my crooked smile.He’s always so damn confident.

“And what about Emily, have you heard from her?”

I hadn’t heard from her all day, actually. I started to worry as I looked back at the clock on the oven – it was only 4:30 PM.Maybe she got out already?

“Should we go visit?” Michael asked, reading my face.

I was so relieved. “Could we?”

On the train ride there, I started to wonder if Michael had ulterior motives for suggesting we go. Did he want to spook Jack away, knowing he was in there as well? Even if we did see him, what would he say to him? Surely he would be nice and civil after all Jack had gone through.

We walked into the hospital and signed ourselves in before getting escorted to the visiting area. It seemed quiet with only a few patients lazily walking or sitting on the sofas and the nurse’s station was only occupied by one nurse. It was bustling the last time I had visited, so it seemed a little eerie. However, the atmosphere quickly changed when Emily burst into the room, a smile wide on her face.

“Hana!” she flashed her dimples at me, her arms open wide.

I reciprocated and hugged her tightly. I could see Michael smiling at us as he watched with his arms crossed, our jackets in his grip, and leaning against the wall a few feet away.

“I didn’t hear from you today. How are you doing?” I asked, guiding her to the most comfortable looking couch.

“Ugh, I can’t wait to get out of here,” she moaned, but then perked up, almost forcefully. “But I’m feeling better!”

I looked over at Michael and smiled. He was looking down at his phone, pretending to give us privacy but I knew he was listening. I turned back to Emily.

“What exactly are your plans after you get out?”

Emily shrugged. “I mean, I’ll be fine at my apartment,” she responded, for once in her life not looking absolutely sure of herself.

I flashed my eyes back at Michael again. His eyebrows were furrowed, like he even knew she didn’t seem confident. Again, my eyes went to back to Emily.

“Why don’t you stay with us for a bit?” I blurted out, still feeling Michael staring at me.

Emily’s eyes seem to lighten up a little bit. She looked from me to Michael.

“Really?” she flashed her dimples again.

My eyes darted to Michael. He didn’t look mad, but he didn’t look too thrilled either.

“Yes, really,” I said to Emily, smiling slowly. “We have a spare room. There’s plenty of space for you. Just until you feel 100%…you know, to get used to your meds and stuff.”

Emily quickly wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you,” she exhaled.

Michael gave me a soft smile, knowing this was the right thing to do.

“Hi Hana,” I heard a familiar voice say.

As happy as I was to hear that voice, my heart dropped immediately. It was Jack, and surely Michael would not be happy to see him.

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