Page 34 of Harmonizing Hearts

Driving back home I have a bad feeling. I read in her eyes a pain I’ve never seen before. I tried to reach her out, but she disappeared without letting me talk.

I park next to Luke running toward the elevator. If his car is here means she’s home.

Carlos, one of my friends, chose the worst moment to send me the report, but I couldn’t help myself and I read it. I was ready to move on, erase the memories that marked me the most, especially Blake fucking Grayson, but it seems destroying my childhood in the foster house wasn’t enough.

“Babe?” I call her out once I get home. She doesn't answer but I know she's here. Her keys are on the table. “Em?” She's nowhere. Luke wouldn’t have let her go away alone, which means she said nothing to him. Scrolling through my contacts, I hit the call button. Her bestie has all the answers.

The ring in the background seems endless until Angel picks up. “Hi Jax.”

“Please tell me you know where Emma is.” The plea in my voice seems so weird.

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, as if Angel is choosing her words carefully. “You know I’m a fan of you two Jax, but she needs time.”

Time? Time for what? “I did nothing, Angel. Nothing at all.” I snap, regretting it right away.

“I thought you two had argued or something. She sounded exhausted and asked for a week off,” Angel confesses. “She… she went to her auntie’s,” Angel finally reveals, her voice filled with a mix of sympathy and hesitation.

My heart skips a beat, relief washing over me like a soothing balm. “Her auntie’s?”

“It’s in Meadows Street 99, the only house that faces the lake. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you, Angel. Thank you for letting me know.”

I hangup and lean my forehead on the steering wheel, contemplating my next move. With a renewed sense of purpose, I start the engine and drive toward the familiar path that leads to Lake Meadow. It’s where our love bloomed amidst the tranquil beauty of nature.

The drive feels endless, each passing mile heightening my anticipation and trepidation. As I near the lake, memories flood my mind—moments of laughter, stolen kisses, and whispered promises. I’m determined to find Emma, to face the truth head-on, and perhaps, to find a way back to each other.

Trust.

Where the fuck is it, Em?

Do you really think I’m that piece of shit?

I rub my face in frustration. Fuck me!

Finally, I arrive at my destination and I stand at the doorstep of Emma’s childhood home, my heart pounding in my chest. Trish opens the door, her eyes widening in surprise. “Jax? What are you doing here?” Her concern can’t be missed.

“I need to see Emma,” my voice betrays the fear that clenches at my core. “Is she here?”

Trish hesitates for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yes, she’s here,” she says softly. “But she’s not in a good state. I’m not sure if she wants to see you.”

My heart sinks at her words, but I refuse to believe them fully. I need to see Emma, to look into her eyes, and explain everything to her. I push past Trish and step into the house, my determination overriding any doubts or hesitations.

“Jax, wait.” Trish follows me while I search each room, calling out Emma’s name, but there’s no response.

Panic wells up within me as I realize she might be hiding from me, that she might want nothing to do with me anymore. My mind races, and I start to question everything that led us to this point. “You said she’s here. Where, Trish?”

She seems uncomfortable and steps back, “She’s not here at the moment.”

“Please. Trish.” I’m on a verge of tears and I don’t fucking care, I need to know where Emma is. She says nothing. “Fine.” I walk past her. I’m fuming. I can’t believe she’s hiding from me. It’s not fair! I don’t deserve it, I love her with all I am. I’d die for her. How can she erase everything we’ve been?

As the night stretches on, I wait outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of Emma when she comes back. I sit in the car, my eyes fixed on the front door, my heart heavy with longing and uncertainty.

Hours pass, the night growing colder and darker. I shiver, but I refuse to give in. My determination to see Emma outweighs any discomfort or fatigue. I clasp my hands together, praying that she will appear, that we can mend the shattered pieces of our love.

Finally, as the first light of dawn breaks through the horizon, the front door opens and hope shows again before crashing at my feet.

Trish steps out, her gaze meeting mine. There’s a weariness in her eyes, and I can sense her own pain and worry. “Jax,” her voice filled with a mixture of sympathy and caution. “You’ve been waiting here all night?”

---