Page 106 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“I’ve made my appointment to go see Hannah.”

Shit. Tentatively, I asked, “When is it?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. My flight leaves early in the morning.”

Chapter 41

Evelyn

I’d never been so nervous in my life. Everything happened in slow motion, as if it was movie playing, someone else’s life.

Except it was mine.

Nathan had been less than happy to know that I booked a flight to Pennsylvania by myself, horrified by the idea of me seeing Hannah on my own. He couldn’t leave New York due to the situation with Derek, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

We had yet another argument early in the morning, but my mind was set. I was ready to hear the truth no matter what it was.

That’s what I kept telling myself anyway.

Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how I would hold up after I listened to whatever Hannah had to say. I was scared.

Part of me wanted to remain in the dark, avoid learning whatever hidden secrets my family had. I still guarded the little acts of kindness my parents had with me, still cherished the few and in between moments in which we vaguely resembled a family.

All my wishes, all my concerns, drifted away in an instant when from a distance I saw Hannah accompanied by an officer, her hands cuffed and restricting her movement.

She smiled.

She’d placed her hair up in a ponytail, and though other women inmates had improvised make-up on, to my surprise, Hannah’s face was free of it. Not only that, she seemed happy.

The orange jumpsuit was the brightest color I’d ever seen her wear, and though before she would have complained that it was tacky, she looked pretty.

She waved at me as she approached, and I stood, feeling much more nervous than I ever had in my life. Her smile faltered when her gaze lowered, falling on my belly. It wasn’t extremely noticeable, but it was there, and she saw it.

“I see you’re not alone,” were her first words directed to me.

I swallowed. “I guess you could say that.”

Hannah’s eyes studied me for a moment, and I could have sworn she looked like she wanted to hug me. I stopped any further movement by taking a seat once again, and she followed afterwards, clasping her hands together over the table.

“How far along are you?” Hannah asked, a small smile resting on her face. This person was different, a stranger. I didn’t know how to react to her or what to say.

But I remembered I had a purpose for visiting, not to make up with her. I wanted answers. I would consider answering her questions if she answered mine. Otherwise I had no reason to tell her anything about myself, not when she’d never cared before.

“I don’t think I’m here to discuss anything about me or my life while you’ve been locked up for your shitty choices,” I replied firmly. I would not allow her to see how vulnerable I felt.

Hannah raised an eyebrow and then grinned, one full of mischief and…pride? “It’s good to see that you still call people out on their shit, but you’re wrong.”

“How so?” My hands were sweaty, and my heart pounded, and God, I was so nauseous.

“Everything I’m going to tell you actually revolves around you.”

I cleared my throat, trying to remain levelheaded. “You said we were going to talk about Derek—”

“We are,” Hannah interrupted, her forehead creasing at the mention of his name. Her gaze fleeted from my own briefly with regret. “And I’m going to tell you all I know even though I’m not sure how much of a good idea it is considering your state.”

I scoffed. “You’ve never cared before. Why should you now?”

She reached out across the table, placing her hand over my own. I flinched, removing my hand away from hers. The contact was so foreign, it stung.

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