Page 71 of Jester

Celine steps closer. She smiles at first. It seems so forced. I don’t think she’s happy to see me.

Then, she slaps her hands against her face. I’m startled and step back into Apex. Is Celine crazy?

A sob frees itself from deep in her chest. She covers her face with her hands as if she might hide from what’s happening. Her knees buckle. She topples to the driveway, sobbing and rocking her little body.

I move without thinking. I don’t know this woman. I’m not sure if she’s crying because she is my sister or she’s upset to learn of the misunderstanding. I just feel the need to comfort her.

Apex’s fingers brush against my back as I hurry forward. He tries to stop me from running to Celine and covering her crumbled body with mine.

“I thought you were dead,” she sobs against me.

“I’m so sorry.”

Celine calms herself enough to look at me through her messy hair.

“I thought I killed you,” she whispers.

“I took too long to find you.”

Her hands reach for my face as her blue eyes stare into mine. “You don’t remember.”

Shame washes over me again. “I tried to, but I couldn’t.”

Celine uses her hoodie’s sleeve to wipe her eyes before doing the same to my wet cheeks. She sniffles and offers a tired smile.

“I never loved anyone but you. When I thought you were dead, the world held nothing for me.”

“You’re safe now.”

“I don’t want to ruin your life.”

Wrapping her in my arms, I whisper, “Deep down, I knew I left someone important behind. Having you with me will fix that pain. Even if I can’t remember, I missed you.”

Celine and I cry against each other, oblivious to everything else. I even forget Apex and Thorn are watching us sob. Finally, a little hand on my back reminds me how the world exists.

I turn to find a teary-eyed Amelia. She holds her doll in one arm and reaches for me with her other.

“This is my baby girl,” I tell Celine while wrapping Amelia in my arms. “She’s Mommy’s helper.”

Amelia looks at Celine and frowns as she glances between us. She must see enough of a resemblance because she smiles like she’s discovered a secret.

“And that’s Apex,” I tell Celine.

Her gaze flashes to the man I love. Wearing his scowl, he looks so scary right now. I see how she lowers her gaze to avoid his wrath.

“He hates when I cry,” I explain while forcing myself to my feet.

Holding Amelia, I study the sister I can’t remember. I thought memories might rush back to me once we were standing face-to-face. But she remains the stranger from Luca’s pictures.

“Will you come inside?” I ask when she seems nervous about Apex.

Celine looks back at Thorn. He shrugs and seems uncertain himself.

“I haven’t gotten a shower since the raid.”

Apex surprises me by offering, “You can clean up in our place.”

Thorn and Celine share a glance. I feel how she doesn’t want him to leave. I also know he’d like to stay. Thinking back to how I immediately craved Apex, I suspect everyone will be happier if we stick together for a while.

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