Page 87 of Losing Faith

I don’t respond, but when the tears build in my eyes again, he pulls my head to his chest. “You’re going to stay the night here and we can talk to your brother in the morning.”

I quickly shake my head as I pull away. “No, I’m fine.” Sniffling quietly, I rise to my feet. “I need to go.”

I take a step, but he wraps an arm around me. “That’s not happening, sweetheart.”

I look between his eyes and he looks down at me like he’s ready to tie me down.

Before I can object, he plants a soft kiss on my lips. “Please stay. Sleep it off and we can talk in the morning.”

I nod in return and I suddenly feel numb as he walks me up to a spare bedroom. Slipping into the bed, I focus on the door as the tears start up again.

Jackson kneels in front of me before wiping my cheek. “Are you going to be okay in here?”

I know what he’s asking and I only nod in return. He watches me before slipping into bed beside me. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.” Wrapping an arm around me, he pulls my back to his front.

I let my eyes fall shut, but as tired as I am, I can’t fall asleep as the memories of my bio mom assault me. I bite back a cry as I squeeze my eyes shut.

Tracing my steps back, I think of the last time I saw Sire. We were attempting to make tres leches for his girlfriend. He was happy, his smile comes to mind as we threw frosting at each other. I try to think of the last time I said I loved him, and when it comes to mind, I go through the rest of my siblings, checking them all off.

I need to say bye to Harmony. I can’t leave things that way. I decided I’ll see her one last time.

“Lissy?” Jackson whispers, but I keep my eyes closed. He lets out a soft breath as he soothes my hair. “You don’t deserve this.” He sucks his teeth before planting a kiss on my cheek. “I’m here for you, baby, just let me in.”

He kisses my cheek before climbing out of bed, not knowing he’s too late.

When the door shuts, he leaves me with nothing but the white pill in my pocket.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jackson

Asmiletouchesmylipsas I walk into Sire’s apartment and take in the full house. I hug Vidia before Isabelle races over to her uncle. I look around the room again and try to keep my smile intact when I notice Lisette is missing.

I haven’t seen her since she came to my house Sunday night. I found her sleeping with Isabelle when I went to check on her in the middle of the night. Her nose was red and puffy, her pillow stained with tears. I felt like shit for not immediately calling her family, but when I woke up, she was gone. She texted me, asking me not to say anything, so that’s what I did and I’m not so sure if that was the right choice. Then, she had a trip to Paris with her siblings this past week and Ijustwant to see her.

“How are you doing, princess? I missed you.” Sire scoops Belle into his arms before blowing a raspberry in the crease of her neck and she fills the apartment with her laugh.

“Hey.” I walk over to August to dap him up before leaning over to hug his girlfriend. “How are you doing, Hazel?”

She hugs me in return before flopping on August’s lap on the couch and telling me she’s good.

Walking over to Sage, I pull her in for a hug. “Congrats on the engagement.” I smile down at her new ring and she smiles brightly at her fiancé before kissing his cheek and thanking me.

I focus on him and I’m shocked they got engaged this past week. Sage is a ray of sunshine, wearing pink from head to toe while Liam is covered in tattoos and wearing all black with a glare that can kill.

“Don’t mind him, he doesn’t know happiness unless it’s concerning Sage’s happiness.” Sire sends him a teasing smile, and when I look over at Liam, he’s watching his fiancé and I notice the way his eyes soften when she smiles.

“Where’s Lissy?” Belle asks the question that was on my tongue the second I walked in.

I glance at Sire for an answer but he only shrugs. “I told her to come over, but she said she was busy.”

I hum in thought. “Ask her what she’s doing,” I say for my own convenience since she’s also ignoring my messages. The only way I knew she was okay was because I kept discreetly checking on her through her siblings. “She canceled Belle’s tutoring yesterday because she was also apparently busy.”

She’s clearly avoiding me. Something I said Sunday wasn’t the right thing, and I wish I could’ve been more help that night.

“Lisette told me she was with you two yesterday.” Sire looks between me and my kid, but I shake my head.

“No, she wasn’t.” I watch him carefully.

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