Page 79 of Unsealing Her Fate

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After closing the Chromebook, I shuffle over to shove it back under the mattress. When I lie back and get comfortable, I silently pray. I close my eyes and repeat in my mind,“You are safe. You will get through this. You are safe. You will get through this,”until finally, sleep comes.

Chapter 26

Myalarmscreams,wakingme with an almost violent jolt. I don’t feel like I slept a wink. I was restless all night, the reason glaringly obvious. There’s no time to waste this morning, and I won’t spend it sitting and feeling sorry for myself. Christopher has no control over me anymore, and I won’t give it back to him.

I shower and hastily get dressed while planning my next steps. First, I need to talk to Irene. If anyone can help me, it’s her, and I know she will.

So far, walking to the café this time of year is almost always blistering cold. However, today, my blood is boiling, so it doesn’t bother me nearly as much as usual. My anger towards Christopher keeps me warm and pushes my every step.

Irene sees me coming and holds the door to the café open for me. I hustle through without glancing at her. I can feel her eyes at my back.

“Damn, Andi. You look pissed this morning. Everything okay?” Charlie asks cautiously when she sees me.

I can’t even fake a smile right now. Giving a tight nod, I turn to Irene. “Can we talk, please?” I ask, no softness in my tone.

She returns my stern look. “In my office.”

Without another word, we walk to her office and close the door behind us. Irene leans against her desk, watching me. I’m unable to contain the energy pulsing through me, so I pace back and forth.

But Irene doesn’t have patience for it. “Spit it out, Andi. What the hell is going on?”

I choose my words wisely before speaking. “I’ve been reported missing.”

She furrows her brow, and I think she can’t understand why this is a big deal, yet. She doesn’t have a clue who I am or who I was engaged to.

“People are reported missing every day. That doesn't mean you’ll be found.” Her tone suggests I shouldn’t be too concerned.

How can I tell her without actually telling her?

“It’s bigger than that. You see, I’mknownwhere I’m from. There was a news story that ran on me. I checked the local news and bigger networks last night to make sure it hadn’t made it that far. So far, there’s no mention of me yet. And maybe there won’t be. I just want to have a plan if itdoesget to Fraser. I don’t want to leave, Irene,” I say, almost pleading with her to understand even without knowing the whole story.

She studies me for a moment, as if she finally understands what I’m saying. “You aren’t leaving, Andi.” She stops and takes a deep breath. “I’ll keep checking the news here and the local papers. Thankfully, most people stick to their own business around here. We also need to touch up your roots; your blonde is beginning to peek through.”

“I can do that today after work. I’ll run over to Franklin’s and grab more hair dye.” I run my fingers through my hair, a little embarrassed I didn’t notice that myself.

Irene shakes her head. “No, I’ll go. Considering all this, you need to go straight to work and straight home until we can figure out how wide your missing story will reach.”

She walks towards me and reaches out to give my shoulder a squeeze, but I pull her into a hug instead. I know hugs aren’t Irene’s thing, but they are mine. She’ll never know what her kindness and understanding has meant to me through this whole ordeal.

“Thank you,” is all I can squeak out, refusing to allow any tears today.

We walk toward the door, and Irene pauses before either of us move to open it. “Your bedding is in the truck. We’ll take it over to Jack’s after work. We can go to the motel and gather your things, too. I think it’s best for you to start staying at Jack’s starting tonight.”

I nod, ready to open the door, but she stops me. “Andi, look at me.” I turn to face her, and her eyes bore into mine. “You’ll have to tell him. You’ll have to tell Jack.”

My eyes widen, and I swallow hard. I can’t tell Jack my story. He won’t understand. He’s a detective. He’ll have to contact the police in Sacramento and tell them I’m here. I can’t do that. I can’t risk it. Panic is written all over my face.

“I…I…” I stammer.

Irene holds her hand out to stop me. “I’m not saying today. You don’t have to tell him today. But you’re underestimating Jack. I’ve known himmanyyears. He’s a good man, and hewillhelp you. Trust me on that.”

My heart races as I consider her words. I know she’s right. I can’t hide who I am forever and hiding it from Jack could put him in more danger than telling him would. I think I’ve been kidding myself to think I can just be Andi Sparks now and forget Andrea Shaw ever existed.

I sigh. “I’ll tell him. I will… but not today,” I say, turning to open the door.

Charlie is waiting on the other side of the door, and I nearly plow into her as I exit. “Crap! Sorry, Charlie!” I try to steady us both.

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