Page 110 of Severed Rivalry

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“Yeah.” He nods. “Exactly.”

“Why the interest?”

“Because he showed up at the hospital yesterday after I left. A guy you’ve never heard of, that she’s never discussed, is visiting after hours. Smells fishy.”

“I can run a search on him, but I’ll need you to spell that last name.”

“Liam’s on it already, but your searches are different and use different sources. It can’t hurt. I’m just cautious about us showing up at the hospital to find an unknown former or current addict. It’s too dicey. We need more info.”

I agree. “What’s the latest on Rosie, though? When can she go home?”

“I don’t know. And they won’t tell me because I’m not family.”

“She needs me.” My voice is rising.

“There’s no point in setting ourselves up.”

“I can’t go, and I can’t not go.”

“Angel—”

“This is not good for me.”

“Sariah—”

“Yeah, but—” I turn and look straight into the face of Renée.

Cian

“Née?”

“What’s wrong with RoRo?”

I scrub a hand down my face. “Come grab a seat, Renée.”

She looks between her mom and me.

“I won’t bite. I promise.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and warily walks to a stool at the island.

I stare at Sariah, but she looks overcome.

“Rosie was taken to the hospital yesterday. We think she had another seizure.”

The younger Ocotea sinks onto the seat, and her shoulders slump.

“Your mom and I went to her house when Liam came to get you at school. Sariah told me you know what she did with those predators and that you know she’s concerned for your safety. I’m concerned too. It’s why you’re both here.”

Sariah looks at me and I nod before she holds her daughter’s gaze. “We found her unconscious when we got there.”

Renée gasps and covers her mouth. Tears spill down her cheeks as Sariah pulls her into her arms and wraps her in a hug.

“I promised I wouldn’t lie to you when I can help it. So I’m telling you even if I wish I could shield you from the truth.”

“That’s where I was last night.” I cut in. “I went to the hospital to wait while she was there.” Not that that makes it any better.

“Is she going to be okay?”

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