Page 111 of The Wrong Side Of Us

“Are you saying goodbye to me?”

With a sad smile, she replied, “I’m saying what I need to say, Evie.” She caressed my cheek gently before looking up at the guard, who seemed to be silently saying our meeting needed to end. I wanted to refuse, wanted to protest, but was completely silent as I memorized the way she looked at me tenderly…lovingly…like she cared. “I’m very, very proud of you. You are a woman to admire, and I’ll always be grateful of having you as my sister.”

I wanted to say something, anything, but the words disappeared as she stood up and took a step back.

“Get home safely and take care of that baby, okay?”

She turned around, and finally my instinct kicked in. I stood, taking hold of her arm before she left. Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and I tried my best to get the three words out that I needed her to hear, especially after what she’d told me.

“I forgive you.”

Her lip quivered, and as the guard took her hands and cuffed them again, she mouthed a “thank you,” my eyes following behind her as she walked away.

Chapter 43

Nathan

Every minute that passed seemed longer than the one before. Every fucking second seemed to drag on the more time I spent without hearing from Evelyn. I had this feeling deep in my chest that told me that she wasn’t okay, a fucking ache that I couldn’t do away with. I’d called her several times already and had received no answer; I was going insane without knowing whether she was still alive and breathing. I kept picturing her alone, crying, overwhelmed with whatever it was that Hannah was telling her.

Not knowing what Hannah was telling her was the terrifying part.

Already dealing with a lot, I didn’t think Evelyn could hold it together much longer. And I felt like she was falling apart, and I wouldn’t be there for her. She was in another state, not returning until morning, and the thought of her being distraught was upsetting.

“Do you want a beer?” Tom took a seat next to me. Another time, I would have gladly accepted it, but my priority was to be ready for whenever she called.

My dad took the beer from Tom’s hands, opening it for himself while my mom nodded approvingly. “Even if you don’t take a drink, you need to relax, Nathan. Worrying will do you no good, and it won’t make her call you any sooner.”

They’d all come over while Evie was in Pennsylvania, thinking they could help me remain calm, but all they did was remind me that she wasn’t home.

“She should be out by now,” I sighed, glancing at my phone. According to Evie, she would have been meeting with Hannah in the afternoon. It was already past six in the evening, and she hadn’t tried to communicate.

The only comfort I found was making myself think that she was visiting Tessa or David and Jenna, but I knew it wasn’t the case. I could have easily called one of them, ask if they’d seen Evelyn, but I was afraid of the answer because I already knew it. She wouldn’t be with them.

“Would one of you be willing to go to Pennsylvania and—”

“You are overreacting, Nathan—”

“He’s not,” the usually quiet Carter interrupted. My mom raised her eyebrows, and I swallowed, feeling guilty that I’d let Evie go on her own. Carter had the right to know, but I followed her wishes and let her leave. “I think I should go to Pennsylvania.” The way that he spoke with worry made me realize there was trouble brewing ahead.

“What do you know, Carter?” I asked, trying not to sound angry. It wasn’t directed towards him at all, though I knew it would seem that way, but I needed to be prepared for whatever condition Evie would be in when I spoke to her.

He shrugged. “Just book me a flight and give me the information to wherever she’s staying.”

As I picked up my phone, it began to ring, and immediately, I tensed. My grip on the phone tightened while dread began consuming me. It was Damian.

Damian wouldn’t call unless there was news regarding Derek.

At my reaction, everyone in the house quieted down, waiting for me to pick up the call. “Hello?”

“Thank fuck you answered,” Damian muttered.

The tone of his voice said everything. “What happened?”

“It’s Derek. He’s awake.”

“Are you serious?” I asked, standing up abruptly. This changed everything; he could clear my name completely, and I could look for Evelyn, be with her.

“He’s not speaking yet, and the doctors are already running several tests on him,” Damian continued, the background noise of what I assumed to be the hospital becoming louder. “The police are already here, and we hope to have him talking within a few hours, but first the doctors need to check that he’s fine.”

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