Page 72 of The Two Halves of My Heart

Chapter 22

Grace 21 Years Old

If I’d thought the days before the fight were hard, they were nothing like the days after.

There was no communication from Mads, not even a sign that he’d been home while I was at work. His room was frozen, with all the items in the same spot as before. He’d ignored all my messages and made no effort to contact me. I didn’t even know who was meant to be angrier at whom by this point. It was a mess, and every day that passed without a word, my heart darkened, weighed down by the hurt that Mads was causing with his selfish attitude.

My messages to Leo even stayed unanswered, like I was suddenly someone to ignore.

Nearly a week passed with no word. I’d barely slept or eaten, and I was sick with fear. Fear at what he was thinking, where he was… Images of his fight played over and over in my mind, but this time, the other guy finished Maddison. Every dark and scary thought I’d ever had passed over my mind and I kept landing on him lashing out and doing something stupid and reckless that had finally got him hurt.

My heart pounded, and a knot of nerves sat in my stomach as I phoned the two local hospitals for recent admissions. But nothing. I couldn’t bear to call the police and report him missing, but I wasn’t sure if I had any other choice.

And then I thought of all the hurtful things we’d said to each other, and I was pulled deeper into despair, my heart cracking and splintering off, and I wondered if I’d ever have a full heart again.

There was still one person I’d not asked for help—Vivien. We used to be close, well, we used to see each other often, and she was like a second mother to me. It was funny that since being with Maddison, I’d hardly seen them. Whether I specifically shut them out because Maddison and I were a couple now, I didn’t know. But I did know that I missed the way things were before all of this.

Before the fighting.

Because if I’d said before us, then that meant we’d failed, and all my fears about Maddison and I being more than friends would be realised. And despite how bad things were, I couldn’t think that way. I wasn’t ready for that.

Vivien’s car was in the drive, so I knocked on the door, desperate to see a friendly face.

“Hello, there, stranger.” She opened the door with such a warm smile. I couldn’t help but feel better the instant she looked at me.

“Hey, sorry for just dropping in like this.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you.” I stepped inside and cast my eyes around for any sign of Maddison, but I didn’t see anything. Just clean and clear work surfaces—everything in its place. Just like it always was.

She led me through to the kitchen and headed to fill the kettle. “So, it’s been a while. I was hoping that when you and Maddison started dating, I’d see more of you, not less.” She rubbed my arm as she retrieved the cups.

“I’m sorry. I guess I got caught up in everything and didn’t realise. How are you? I think I’ve nearly mastered your lasagne recipe.” I tried to make light conversation.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. We’re good. It’s quiet, but we keep ourselves busy.” She paused, her eyes drifting off to somewhere out of the window and I knew she was thinking about both of her sons.

I’d shut Oliver from my mind for so long, out of self-preservation as well as respect for Maddison, that the thought of him seemed almost alien. Standing here, and seeing Vivien, showed me how lonely I’d become without even realising.

We took a seat around the table. “So, how’s Mads? The last he told us, he was taking you out for your birthday.” The casual glance to my left hand wasn’t discreet, and I pulled my hands back into my lap and left the cup of tea on the table.

“It was a lovely evening. Not too many occasions to get all dressed up like that. But I do miss your birthday cakes.”

“Well, you have nobody but yourself to blame there, kiddo. There will always be cake for your birthday, but only if you’re here.” She giggled at me.

“Thank you. That means so much to me.” Her words hit me with a sense of belonging that had been missing in the last few months between Mads and me.

“You’ve always been a part of the family. It’s a shame we don’t get to see you so much anymore.”

“I’ll make sure I change that. No matter what,” I tagged onto the end, but not quietly enough.

“Oh? Everything okay?” She shifted her position and leaned forward.

“Mads hasn’t been home for a few days. Has he been here?” I blurted it out.

“No, we’ve not seen him in weeks. Is everything okay?” Her worry sparked off my own fear about what could have happened to him. Those worries in my head were fast building credence like a snowball running away downhill.

“I think he’s just avoiding me, but I wish he’d just talk.” I sounded as exacerbated as I felt.

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