Page 18 of The Silent Note

For Sloane.

The sound of an argument snaps me out of my trance and I glance up. At the end of the hallway is the hospital chapel where, it seems, my wedding is going to take place.

But there’s a man standing in front of it, barring the entrance.

“Get out of the way, man,” Sol growls.

“You can’t have a wedding in the chapel without special permission from the director.”

“Did you not hear me?” Sol bears down on the guy.

He backs up but doesn’t stop ranting. “That’s public space.Sacredspace. People use it to pray. You can’t just take it over.”

“We cleared it with the hospital director,” Dutch snaps.

“I didn’t hear anything about that.” The man plants bony hands on his hips. “Weddings can only be held in the chapel by express permissionandif either the bride or groom is terminal. I already checked hospice and no one reserved this space. I cannot allow you to block this chapel off for an unauthorized wedding.”

Dutch curses and walks off, slapping his phone to his ear.

A worried crease appears above Cadence’s eyebrow. “Wait here, Miss—Grey. I’ll see what’s going on.”

“I can’t believe this,” Viola scoffs. “Why does every Cross wedding have to be so complicated? It’s not like he saw the bride in her dress this time.”

I barely hear her.

My eyes are on the exits.

Is this a sign? Divine intervention? Should I take this chance and run?

Someone shifts in my periphery. I notice Finn standing deeper in the hallway. As usual, he’s on his phone and looking totally disconnected from everything going on.

Dutch stomps over, “The hospital director is out and he’s not answering his phone.”

Sol curses. “Zane just texted. Should I tell him what’s going on?”

“You all need to leave before I get security,” the protestor says, puffing out his chest now that he sees the boys are losing their steam.

I take a step toward the exits.

Sorry, Sloane. I’ll find another way to get to Slavno.

Suddenly, Finn pushes off the wall and walks toward his brothers. He shows the protestor something on his phone and the man turns white as a sheet. He grabs the phone, mouth agape, and glances at each of us in terror.

A question mark in my eyes, I glance at Finn whose stoic face—as usual—betrays nothing.

Calmly, Finn stretches his hand out.

The protestor sets the phone gently in his palm and bows his head.

“Y-you kids have a good wedding.” He wipes the sweat on his brow. “I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”

As the guy hurries off, I walk closer to Finn. So do Dutch, Cadence, and Viola. Curiosity thickens in the air as we all crowd him.

“What was on your phone?” Viola asks, eyes wide.

“His girlfriend.”

“Naked?” Cadence looks disturbed.

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