Page 102 of Breaking Point

Chapter Forty-Seven

Olivia

“She’s so tiny,” I whisper, and at the sight of her bitty hand wrapped around my pinky, my heart clenches.

Everything about her is so dainty and small, no bigger than a grain of rice practically. Her eyes still haven’t opened, and the soft huff of her breath is amplified by the machine that she’s connected to. I smile as she twists, her small pointed nose distinct. So similar to Lydia’s.

“She’s beautiful, Lydia,” I tell her, and though she looks thoroughly exhausted, she smiles.

“I have a feeling she’s gonna grow up to look just like Taylor. My genes won’t even put up a fight,” she laughs quietly, and Taylor smiles as he squeezes her shoulder.

“That face is all you, my love.”

I smile at them both, retracting my hand and safely latching the incubator lid. “I’m so happy for you. Really. If you ever need a hand watching her, I’m a call away.”

Lydia’s smile is soft, exhausted. “When she’s older, I might take you up on that.”

I motion a thumb over my shoulder. “Are you hungry? Aleks might be able to pick something up on his way here.”

“Sure. I can eat.”

Taylor stands, and I wave him off as Gabrielle whines softly. “You’ve got Dad duty. I’ve got a couple of things to do, and I’ll cover lunch.”

He looks like he’s ready to object again, but Lydia interrupts him by saying, “Sushi please. Or something sandwichy!”

“On it!”

There’s a small waiting area in the hall with two comfy chairs and a small coffee table. I take a seat, pulling out my planner and making a few calls. With all of the mayhem since the fire, I haven’t had time to properly plan out my month. Not to mention the fact that I still have to call Dad.

As soon as I pick up my phone though, I can feel my worry rising. I take several breaths.

One thing at a time, I breathe, as I let myself think through tackling the most pressing issue.

I call Aleks, asking if he can grab lunch on his way here. He agrees, and I text an order out to him.

“Give me 15,” he tells me.

“Thank you so much!”

I mentally check that off my list, focusing on other things. I dig through my purse, dragging out the notes I’ve kept tucked away. It’s not like the messages have changed, but I’ve been turning the words over in my head. Over and over, trying to get some kind of clue.

The longer I stare, the more the words blur together and the faint creases become pronounced.

It’s then that I notice that the paper is crimped in a distinct circular pattern at the top of the page. I dig a pencil out of my bag, gently shading to reveal anRintertwined with the leaves of an olive branch- a stationary stamp. One I recognize. It’s the same as the Rebren Hotel.

A lump forms in my throat.It could be a coincidence.

It probably is, I reason.

Yet Aleks is the first person I think of. I pull up his contact on my phone again, staring at it for several minutes before I sigh.

I’m being paranoid. We’ll talk shortly.

Aleksander Benenati: Meet me by the elevator. Think I’m lost.

Olivia: What floor?

Aleksander Benenati: By the cafeteria.

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