Page 8 of Imogen

And I know whatever my mum has to say is bad. It must be really bad for my cousin to come and seek me out.

Please let my family be okay.

I slowly lift the phone to my ear as I answer the call, my eyes never leaving Hayden as she gets out of the car. “Hello,” I greet, my tone void of any emotion.

“Honey, there’s been an incident. Your dad needs us.”

My knees threaten to give out. “Is Dad okay?”

“Yes, sweetie. But…”

“Mum, please. Who is hurt?”

“It’s Ben. The assignment he was on… it’s ended badly. Ben got stabbed, and they only found them in the early hours of this morning. Your dad has been up the hospital all day.”

Hayden reaches me and I fall into her arms. “Keep it together,” she whispers, taking the phone from my hands.

“Hi, Aunt Kennedy, it’s me, Hayden. We’re going to bring her to the hospital for you. Yeah, she’s okay. I think she was just worried it was her dad you were calling about. I know. Love you too.” She ends the call and shoves my phone into my bag. “We’re going to go to the hospital and you are going to stay strong.”

“He was stabbed,” I whisper, as all the emotions I tried to keep at bay come flooding back. “How can I stay strong? It’s Ben. You know what he means to me.”

She closes her eyes for a moment. “And it’s because of what he means to you that you need to stay strong.”

I wipe away the tears, letting out a dry laugh. “All these years I’ve been telling myself I’m over him, but look at me. I’m still obsessed over a guy who has no interest in me.”

“You know that’s not true,” she scolds.

I arch a brow. “Really? Are you still singing that same tune? This is me, Hayden. Be real.”

She punches me in the arm, and fuck it hurts. “Do I coddle anyone?”

I eye her hand, worried she’ll punch me again. “No.”

“No, I fucking don’t. When I tell you he’s into you, he’s fucking into you. No way would I steer my family wrong. Ever.”

“Sorry,” I grumpily respond.

“Something stopped him all those years ago; the same thing that is stopping him now. I don’t know what, but trust me, whatever it is, it’s the reason he hasn’t made a move. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“Like he pities me,” I snort.

“No. He looks at you like the world is crumbling around him, but you’re the only person who matters.”

“Imogen,” Zach snaps. “I thought we were going halves since it’s both our anniversary. You could have at least left me some money.”

“Let me stab him,” Hayden pleads, gripping my hands.

“I knew you would regret the things you said,” he boasts, taking in the tears on my cheeks. “You have to know we are perfect for each other.”

“Zach, please don’t do this. Not right now.”

“You broke up?” Hayden asks cheerfully, like she’s been told she’s won the lottery.

“No,” Zach sharply responds, as I say, “Yes.”

“What do you mean, yes?” Zach asks. “We had a disagreement. I don’t think it warrants us to break up.”

I can’t pretend anymore. The ache in my chest grows at the panic in his voice, but also the condescending tone he’s using. I don’t want to hurt him, but this isn’t working out between us, and we’re lying to ourselves thinking otherwise.

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