Page 90 of Cause and Effect

“I think it’s over,” I said, standing up.

We exited the bathroom and made our way down the stairs slowly. I gasped when I saw a palm tree sprawled across the living room, having smashed through the window with branches strewn across the hardwood floor.

“Oh, my God.” Laurel placed her hand over her mouth.

“Don’t panic. I’ll take care of this.”

“How, Julian? This fucking day. I swear to God.”

“It’s okay.” I hooked my arm around her and pulled her into me. “I want you to go pack bags for you and the girls. You’re staying at my house until further notice.”

“No, we’re not.”

“For fuck’s sake, Laurel. It’s not up for discussion. Just go upstairs and pack the damn bags. I’ll start cleaning up the glass.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Laurel

My life was in a state of chaos, and I wasn’t sure if I would make it out alive or sane. Finding out Jason faked his death, the situation with Julian, and a palm tree crashing through my window was too much. Now, he wanted me and the girls to stay at his house. Being around him at work was enough torture, let alone staying in the same house as him.

“What are you doing?” I asked Julian as he typed away on his phone.

“Texting Parker and Roman to make sure we have power. Yep. We do.”

“Listen, Julian. I can stay at my parent’s house. Oh God. I wonder if their house is damaged?”

“Go pack the bags, and we’ll drive there and take a look. But even if everything is fine, you’re still staying with me.”

After packing bags for the girls and me, we climbed into Julian’s car.

“I called Stefan Kind. He’s sending some of his guysout to get the tree out and board the window. I think you better call your landlord and tell him what happened.”

“I will,” I said.

We drove to my parent’s house and saw Mr. Galecki, their neighbor, outside.

“Laurel, I was worried about you and the girls.”

“I appreciate it, Mr. Galecki. We just stopped by to check on the house,” I said.

“Well, it doesn’t look like there’s any damage—just a bunch of debris on the lawn. We did lose power, though. I called the electric company, and they said it’s possible they won’t be able to get to it for a couple of days.”

“Great.” I sighed. “You take care, Mr. Galecki.”

“You too, sweetheart. Stay safe.”

“See. You have no choice but to stay at my house. At least I have power, and the girls can watch TV and use the internet. Plus, they can go swimming.” He smiled.

I didn’t say a word as I stared out the window.

When we reached his house, it didn’t look like the storm hit as bad as where I lived. Aside from a few branches lying all over the sidewalk, everything else looked in order.

“I’m going to walk down and get the girls,” I told Julian.

“Okay. I’ll take the girl’s bags upstairs.”

I reached Roman’s house and knocked on the door. Sophie answered and immediately hugged me.

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