Page 97 of Finding Mercy

“You can’t,” Elle says.

“She doesn’t even want me around.”

“Don’t take it personally. She’s heartbroken and scared,” Isabella adds.

I put my head under Ivy’s pillow to block them out.

At some point, I cry myself to sleep. I wake up when I hear footsteps approaching. I look in the doorway.

Liam comes in with a tray of food.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Baby girl, you’re scaring the hell out of me. Can you eat a few bites and take a couple sips of water?”

“If I do, will you call the police?”

“Yes.”

I sit up, and he hands me the tray.

He made my favorite, probably in hopes I would eat it.

I take a forkful of salmon, and it’s really good.

After eating about half of it, I eat a few green beans. I can’t eat more, so I look at Liam with pleading eyes.

“Thank you, baby girl.”

He takes the tray, puts it on the dresser, and sits beside me.

“Just because they say they don’t have information doesn’t mean they won’t find her,” he says.

“Liam, just call.”

He nods, gets his phone, and pulls out the card from the police officer.

I patiently wait while he asks questions but doesn’t give anything away. I feel like snatching the phone out of his hands. But instead, I sit still, wringing my hands like that will somehow give me the answers I desperately need.

He hangs up, and I stare at him impatiently.

Shaking his head, he says, “I’m sorry. She didn’t show up for work today. They weren’t at her apartment. But they are still looking.”

I blow out a big breath, “Can you go please? Close the door behind you.”

“Mercy, we are stronger together than we are apart.”

“If you prefer it, I will leave,” I say.

“Why do I feel like I’m losing both of you?”

I shrug, “If she doesn’t come back, I’m not sure there will be anything left of me.”

Five Days Later…

The days turn into nights, the nights turn into days. That’s the only thing that happens of consequence. The tears have stopped, and I don’t think I have any tears left to cry. Liam is pissed at me or frustrated or whatever. He told me last night that he was tired of me staring at the fucking wall. I’m tired of it too. I’m lost, I can’t be motivated, no matter how hard anyone tries. Have you ever felt like you were not even in your body? You were somewhere looking down at your life and watching it happen? That’s what it’s like. I’m not really here. I hate that I’m hurting the people I love. But I don't know how to stop it. Liam doesn’t deserve this; he’s got to be hurting too.

Thirty-Four

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