Page 14 of Beyond Repair: Part One

Peeking behind him, I see Henry stand and repeat Kai's question. "Where has she been, Mr. Solace? Please. We have to know. Toseeher, at least."

I didn't think my heart could hurt after its brutal assassination not five minutes ago, but Henry sends a spark of pain through my chest with his broken plea.

So help me God, if they glance at each other one more time...

Nina's mom leans forward on the edge of her seat and steals our breath away with her explanation. "The first year she was in inpatient care. For the past year and a half, she's been at home. Healing."

Healing?

Meg lifts her gaze and looks me dead in the eye as she eviscerates my soul. "I called Ridge a few days after she was found, but you changed your number."

The ringing is back, and my knees suddenly ache. I barely hear the rest, but the words still hammer my brain like the torture I deserve.

"I planned to try Kai next, but once we saw the true extent of Nina's...struggles...we thought it was best to allow her to heal first before bringing more people in."

Two and a half years.

It's all my fault.

Every. Single. Thing.

The kidnapping.

Not being there to help her heal.

All. My. Fault.

"She needs you guys."

I don't know the context or who's even speaking. All I know is she needed me,past tense, and I failed at every turn.

Is there any coming back from my mistakes?

Chapter 11

Nina

How does a normal young adult react when their parents admit that they booked a hotel room for aweekinstead of the three days they told me at first?A week!

My dilemma comes from the fact that they lied and stayed to keep an eye on me, but I'm secretly so freaking happy to see them on my front step. So what do I do? I open the door wide and allow them inside.

With all the locks in place, I turn around and place my hands on my hips with confidence I don't feel. "So you're here for four more days?"

Mom nods happily while Dad meanders into my kitchen. He opens the fridge and immediately frowns. "It looks the same, Nina."

I sigh, my stance deflating. "I saw you yesterday. And I'm one small person."

"Let's go out for dinner." Mom claps excitedly, trying to diffuse the tension.

Something's off with them, but I don't have the energy to figure it out. I didn't sleep well last night. Actually, I haven't slept well in four and a half years. I'm perpetually exhausted.

Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I fidget while trying to figure out how to say no. My parents have rarely pushed me outside of my comfort zone.Encouragingme to move out was the biggest nudge of all, and now they what? Want me to sit in a small space with a bunch of strangers watching me while Idon'teat?

"Nina?"

I step back and around my mom, not wanting her pitying touches and looks. "I'm not hungry," I mutter, barely able to control myself from running to the corner of my couch.

The open concept is great when I need space, but more often than not, I like toknowwithout a doubt that I'm alone and nobody can find me. I've been eyeing up the little nook under the stairs and debating if I can make it into a cozy space when I need it. Plus, the door is incredibly discreet.

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