Page 49 of Mercy Lake

As I went to interrupt, she hushed me with a raised hand. “You’ve been living for Austin since his birth, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re great with him. But you are more than a mother, Lex. You deserve to carve out some happiness just foryourselfas well. And despite your stubbornness and reluctance to see the truth, Owenisyour happiness. Ever since he re-entered your life, I’ve seen a light switch back on inside you. The way you talk about him, the way you act and the life you’re now living in Acacia Falls. You’re so in love with him, and I’m so happyandsad for you.”

“Why sad?”

“Because I can see what it’s doing to you. It’s tearing you apart.”

“I’m scared,” I whimpered, on the verge of tears.

Alicia squeezed my shoulder. “Any sane person would be. But I don’t want you to have a future with any regrets. Now, whether that future includes him or not is up to you. But either way, you have to stop running, Lex.”

“I know.” I chuckled. “You’re like my therapist.”

“Should I bill you?”

“I couldn’t afford your fee.”

“Damn right,” Alicia said before groaning. “God, I’d kill for a coffee and greasy brekkie though.”

I snickered at her not-so-subtle hint. “My shout.”

Alicia mumbled a sneaky “thanks” before we got ready and rolled out the door.

I tackled the rest of the morning with a new sense of optimism. I didn’t want to be apart from him anymore. It was time to fight.

If only I had prepared for the right opponent.

Chapter 29

ALEXIS

We sat in the darkest, loneliest corner of our favourite café, secluded from the fully functioning adults of society.

Alicia sunk low, wearing a heavy set of sunglasses and a large sun hat pulled low over her face. She nursed her sad cup of water, stone-faced and unimpressed that we had to wait longer than five minutes to get our coffees.

I opened my phone to message my parents and check on Austin, and a hint of disappointment hummed when I found nothing from Owen.

That’s when I heard an audible gasp, and my name sputtered in disbelief.

I wished I hadn’t heard it, wished I ignored the whole thing, but my eyes had already raised to the source in reaction to the call.

Before me stood Everly, her face raised in a hopeful expression. She was wearing generic office clothes and she had aged a bit… But that could have been my imagination, wanting it so.

I stared straight through her as if she was an unwanted apparition that would disappear at any moment—a hopeful wish at best.

Everly’s face dropped as I ignored her presence. “Um, I guess I deserve that. Do you mind if I sit…”

Her words tapered off as she read my expression, my answer blaringly loud without a sound.

Everly cleared her throat and bounced on her feet. Then, she just let loose, her words rushing out. “I always imagined what I would say if I ever saw you again. And the only thing I could come up with is,I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything I did to you, Alexis. To you and Owen.” Tears built in her eyes as she finished her measly apology.

I didn’t reply. What was I supposed to say anyway? “Alright, you’re forgiven?” Well, she wasn’t. I’d never give her that absolution.

Catching the hint, she stalled and took half a step back. There wasn’t a conversation if only one person participated.

You said your piece, bitch, now move on.

Her face faltered further as her posture caved inward. If it was anyone else, I would have felt sorry for them. Instead, I found myself in a parallel universe, plunged into a world built from my deepest nightmares with a person who had caused me the most singular, excruciating pain.

My body had lost all its faculties, post-traumatic memories barraging my brain so much that I couldn’t speak, let alone move.

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