Page 6 of Burning Your Lies

“What do we do? Refuse to leave until they let us see her?” Mia asks.

“No.”

“Then, what? How do we even know she’s in there? Have any of us spoken to her in the past two months? Have any of us seen paperwork for her admission? Or spoken to any medical professional?” Jordan stares at us. “Do we have any proof that she’s even still alive?”

The room falls silent for a few moments before Mia breaks it, her voice on the verge of tears. “Wehaveto get in and see her with our own eyes.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right. “Consider it handled.”

Xavier’s house is eerily silent, except the soft whingeing coming from Elise. He paces the room, trying to rock her to sleep.

“Is she alright?”

He lets out an exasperated sigh. “She just won’t settle.”

“I think she’s missing Savannah.”

“We both are,” he whispers.

I keep my voice light. “Have you been to see her?”

Xavier glances over at me. “Once or twice.”

“I was told she’s not allowed visitors at the moment. How did you get in?”

“As Savannah has no next of kin, and she was living with me, I’ve been made her medical appointee.”

The blood drains from my face. “What kind of power does that yield?”

He gives up trying to put Elise to sleep and settles on the sofa. “I have the final say in all medical decisions. She’s having a hard time settling in and refusing all care. I thought it would be best to help her settle into a new routine if she didn’t have constant reminders of her life outside.”

“Perhaps seeing her friends or me would help.”

His jaw slightly clenches. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I shrug. “She’s angry at you right now, Zav. She’s not well and blames you for getting her locked away. Maybe it would be best ifyoudidn’t see her for a while.”

“I can’t just leave her alone.”

“She won’t be alone. I’ll visit her. Why don’t you ask that friend of hers in the coffee shop to visit her too?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

My eyes glaze over as I stare out the window. “I just need to see her. Only once. I still can’t believe she did all this. I mean, the Savannah I knew was incapable of kidnapping a baby.”

He leans forward and his gaze burns through me. “The Savannah we knew was only an illusion. She was a front for the darker being that lived in her delusions.”

Tears brim in my eyes. “I need to see it for myself. And then, I can move on with my life. I can forget all about her and the lies she spun.”

Xavier contemplates my offer, before reluctantly nodding. “Okay. I’ll tell them to let you in. But be warned, the Savannah you loved does not exist.”

I hide my smile. I guess Xavier isn’t the only person who can fake emotions. I knew the promise of having her all to himself was too tempting for him to pass on. “Don’t worry, my friend. I cannot be fooled by the lies anymore.”

“Very well. I’ll call Victor tomorrow morning.”

“Who’s that?”

“Victor Roberts. The owner of the home.”

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