Page 56 of Broken

She sighs and her breath brushes my face. It’s faintly minty, like she’s been chewing gum. Her eyes turn sad, and though I understand why, I hate that I did that.

I hate that I made those happy eyes turn sorrowful.

“Let me help you, Savio.”

It’s the first time in too long that I’ve been called my name by anyone other than my parents.

“Only God can help me now,” I counter, believing every single word.

Something flares in her eyes.

Thumb settling in the small space where a dimple used to form, she breathes, “Then what do you have to lose?”

PART THREE

Revelations 16

Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth.

CHAPTER 19

Andrea

Cry - James Blunt

Diana: Where are you?

Me: What are you… my mother? :P

Diana: No, I’m just worried about you.

Me: You won’t approve lol so it’s best if I keep you in the dark.

Diana: Now, I really am worried.

Unsurprisingly, she patches through a call.

For a moment, I hesitate to answer, but knowing her concern is genuine, I huff and hit the ‘connect’ button.

“Talk to me, Andrea.”

I grimace at her tone of voice. It’s half-kicked puppy and half-terrified.

“I’m fine, Diana.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not!”

“How can you be fine? You discharged yourself from the hospitalmonthsearly?—”

“I get headaches easily,” I attempt to appease. “But aside from that and needing to take it carefully when I walk, I’m okay. I promise.”

Her heavy exhalation blows in my ear. “Why won’t you tell me where you are? I have to assume you’re not in your Airbnb.”

“You wouldn’t approve and I don’t want to lie to you.”

“You can tell me anything.” She tuts. “You should know that by now.”

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