Page 123 of Versions Of Us

“Oh my god,” I gasp. “She wasn’t home when I woke up this morning. I thought she went out for a jog. I was out looking for her when I saw the ambulance outside the tavern. What if something has happened to her? What if he’s hurt her?”

“We’ve got our team on it,” he assures me. “We’ll let you know if we find out anything at all.”

He gives me an affectionate pat on the shoulder before continuing his way down the corridor.

I fall back against the wall, allowing it to take my weight. I can’t lose the love of my life and my sister in one day.

I just can’t.

I slide down the wall, crumpling into a ball on the floor. I hug my knees tight to my chest and sob. I don’t know how long I sit there, letting the walls cave in on me, before a familiar voice momentarily brings me out of my despair.

“Kristen,” I hear her say.

I lift my gaze to meet hers. “Mum.”

Chapter 48

KRISTEN

It’s been twelve hours since Henley came out of surgery and there hasn’t been any change. A quick glance at the clock on the wall of his hospital room tells me it’s just after 3am.

Liv and EJ had left at about eleven, after making me swear that I would call them if I needed anything or if Henley woke up. Mum stayed for a few hours. Then after begging me to go home and rest, she’d left shortly after, promising to bring me a fresh change of clothes in the morning.

I’d told her everything. About Henley being in prison. About how I didn’t know how I would ever live without him. About how my father had shown up on my doorstep on his way to rehab.

And about Mackenzie.

As I’d suspected, Mum didn’t know about Mackenzie’s existence, although she was aware that my father had been unfaithful in the years prior to their relationship’s demise. I’m not sure it came as much of a shock to her as it had to me.

Other than to say goodbye to the three of them, I haven’t left this room and if any of the hospital staff have any intention of me leaving, they haven’t made it known. There’s absolutely no way in hell I’m walking out of this place.

Not without him.

I’m not only anxious about Henley’s condition, but about Mackenzie’s whereabouts. I still haven’t heard from Officer Greenberg and the wait is killing me. I reach for Henley’s hand and trace the trails of ink on his forearm.

“Come on, Alex.” My whisper is barely audible over the beeping of the machines that monitor his steady but slow heartrate. “Come back to me.”

I close my eyes fleetingly. I’m exhausted but I won’t allow myself to sleep. I wrap my hand tighter around his.

“I know that you’ve always felt like I’ve never really needed you. That I’m this tough, independent strong woman. I hate to break it to you, Alex. But I need you just as much as you need me. We’re in this life together. It’s you and me.”

More tears fall from my eyes. I’ve cried so much today I have to wonder how they’re still falling at all. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do if you don’t wake up. Please wake up.” I clutch his hand in mine. “I love you.”

It's so small I think I must have imagined it. But I’m certain Henley just squeezed my hand. I wait for another sign that he’s heard me, but the minutes drag on and still there’s nothing. I begin to lose hope.

Maybe I did imagine it.

At some point, the rhythmic bleeping of the machines must lull me to sleep in the chair at his bedside. I wake sometime later to the sound of Officer Greenberg’s voice. “Kristen.”

I squint, adjusting to the harshness of the hospital lighting. “Officer, is there any news?”

“Yeah,” he says, a small smile on his face. “We found her.”

I jump up from the chair, unsteady on my feet. “You did? Is she okay?”

“Why don’t you come out here and ask her yourself?”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Are you serious?”

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