Page 67 of The Other Side of Apart

“I’m so sorry, Guo.” I’m sorry for failing, for disappointing her, for everything that happened to her because of us. For the choices we made and the running and the lying and the stupid diamonds—the reason we had to keep running. And Mei took them with her when she left, like she wanted a target on her back so she could run some more.

I swallow. We didn’t get to talk about any of this before she took off. And I still haven’t told Dad what Nick was really after; there was too much happening, and my feelings were blockingthe way for any real words to come out. But if I took him up on his offer to find Mei, he’d find the diamonds. If he found those, he could use them to lure Nick. Hopefully far, far away from Mei. If he finds Nick, the whole thing’s over. Problem fixed, Mei and me together, no more running.

My heart picks up and I squeeze Guo’s hand, grounding myself. Then I kiss the top of her head. “Gotta go. But I’ll stop by again soon.”

I turn and hobble across the street. An oncoming car screeches to a stop, and I limp faster toward The Clubhouse. Seeing Guo’s willpower to keep going despite everything she’s been through loads me with guilt and sadness but also gives me a shot of determination. Maybe she’s right: maybe Mei really wouldn’t stay away from me. Maybe there’s another reason she left. I don’t know. But what I do know for sure is that Dad finds missing people for a living and this time, I need it to be Mei.

CHAPTER 38

My eyes open and adjust to the haze of morning light floating into the room. I roll over and check the clock. 8:35 AM. There’s been a series of mornings just like this. Is this morning number eleven? Twelve?

Yes. I count in my head. Twelve days. Almost two weeks on the other side of apart from Marcus. I should be home, not hiding in this hotel room. I promised myself and Marcus I’d be back by now, but things haven’t been as quick as I’d hoped. First was the mix-up with my name. Or…actually…my entire existence. Turns out, there is no record of a Zhang, Mei Li born to my parents. Chang—as everyone calls him—had to dig deep to find out I was born Zhao, Xin Yao and my birth certificate only had Mama’s name on it. They changed my name when we illegally came to the United States and forged a fake birth certificate for Zhang, Mei Li.

Then it was roadblock after roadblock as Chang tried to track down the owner of the diamonds. Everything came back unresolved, and every unresolved day is another day away from Marcus. I’ve been at this hotel waiting for answers and wishing I could call or text Marcus. Anything. But every day, I’m reminded of how life and death it is that I don’t contact anyone, notonly for my safety and to protect the investigation, but also for Marcus’s. But I haven’t been doing nothing for the past week. The same day Chang gave me my birth certificate, I got to work filling out the Taiwanese passport paperwork and visa. If I have to wait until it’s safe to return to Marcus, I’m going to do something that will help me get back to him and stay with him for good.

It’s been almost a week since I begged Chang to take me to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit my paperwork. He’d been reluctant at first, but I was persistent. I told him if he didn’t take me, I’d go on my own. After turning in my application, the agent told me it would take around ten days to process. I’m still waiting. But I will get my passport, and I will make it back to Marcus soon.

A knock rattles the door. I pull my sleep-heavy body from bed, dragging myself to the door, and peek through the peephole like Chang told me to do. Just in case it isn’t him. It’s always been him, though. Same time, every day.

He stands on the other side, breakfast in hand. When I open the door, he flashes me a smile. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

“Hello again,” I say, opening the door wider for him. “Come in.”

He walks in, sets breakfast on the small table, and pushes his hand through his hair. It’s not as neat as it usually is, like he didn’t get around to doing it before work.

I close the door behind him and fold my arms over my pajama shirt to hide my bra-less chest. “Any news?”

He nods. “Yeah, actually. I stayed at the office all night.”

“Really? That sounds promising…”

He shrugs, his eyes dropping to the floor before leveling with mine.

“What is it?” My hope slams against his hesitation.

He clears his throat. “The diamonds trace back to some highly influential people back in the States. People whose lives would be ruined if this connection comes to light. Nick’s in the middle of it all and is desperate to get them back so the people he’s working for don’t dispose of him.”

My chest tightens, and the best I can do is whisper, “How do you know all this?”

“Your father, or who you knew as your father, is in prison here in Kaohsiung.”

My stomach bottoms out. “What…? He’s here? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Chang puts his hand on his chest. “I’m sorry. I should have. I needed to make sure of some things before I said anything. But yes, he’s here. And he was willing to shed some light on the situation. He doesn’t have much to lose at this point.”

I drop into the nearest chair as anger pushes through all the layers inside me. He’s not even my real father and he’s ruined my life, not saved it or given me a better one. “Why did he agree to talk? That man wouldn’t do anything good unless it benefitted him somehow. So what did you promise him?”

Chang sits in the chair across from me, elbows on his knees. “If what he told me is true, his sentence will be shortened.”

I cover my trembling mouth with one hand and shake my head, pushing back tears that I will not cry for him.

“And…I told him I’d talk to you about going to see him. He has some things he wants to say. But that’s your choice. I promised him nothing regarding you.”

My thoughts are backed up against the inside of my head. “I have nothing to say to him.”

Chang’s eyes are soft and a little sad. He says, “That’s not all, Mei Li. And I’m so sorry for all of this information and turmoil, but I have news about your cousin, Chaz.”

“What did he do now?” Nothing Chang says will surprise me.

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