Chapter 140
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“Eventually, her therapist said she needed something — anything to help her feel relief. Something that made her feel like someone else. So Jess started acting. And it worked. She didn’t have to be the girl who got nearly drowned by her first love’s jealous girlfriend. She could just be someone else.”
LIAM
I go quiet. The only sound in the car is the low hum of the road beneath us and the radio playing too softly to make out the lyrics.
“She’s good at pretending,” I say eventually. “Always has been.”
Emilia’s voice is barely above a whisper. “So those two weeks I didn’t hear from you…?”
She doesn’t finish. Doesn’t have to. But her eyes are suspiciously glassy.
I save her the effort. “It was one of the bad weeks. Jess has more good ones now, but when the bad ones hit, she forgets how to be a person unless I’m there. I’m the crutch that brings her back.”
“That’s so fucked up,” Emilia mutters, swiping under her eyes with her sleeve. She sniffs, trying to pull herself back together.
I should leave it alone. I really should. But teasing her makes things feel normal again – makes the urge to reach over and kiss the tears off her face a little easier to ignore.
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“You cursing is weird. It doesn’t suit you. Neither does crying.”
She shoots me a look, but there’s no real heat in it. “Can you shut up and mind your business?”
“Sorry, love.” Her mouth tugs at the corners, and just like that, the weight pressing on my chest lightens. “I told Becca we’re not coming back to the cruise tonight.”
“Oh?” She’s wiped her face clean, but there’s still a flush in her brown skin, and I force myself to keep my eyes on the road. Hands on the wheel. Eyes forward. Christ.
“Didn’t you say it was starting to feel a little claustrophobic?”
“I can’t recall saying that out loud.”
“Well, you definitely thought it.”
“Oh, so now you read minds?”
“Only yours. And I’m taking that as confirmation. We’ll meet them at the next stop. Unless you want to go back.”
She tilts her head, mock–considering. “I’ll miss Lacey. But not that much.”
“Thought so.”
She goes quiet for a beat, then: “So… are you and Jessica…?”
“I ended it. Today,” The words feel strange in my mouth. Final. “It’s been over a decade of this endless loop, and the only way to break it was to walk away. Holding on would just hurt her more. And the more she hurts, the more I lose Mar. He’s too loyal to his husband to stay a real friend to me.”
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Emilia frowns. “That’s even more fucked up. I thought he was chill. Guess that was just a vibe.”
“Not exactly,” I mutter, hesitating. I glance at her, trying to find a way to explain Rowland without turning this moment into a whole other mess. Everything I think of hits a wall, so I just go for it. “Actually, Em, the-”
My phone rings. Maya.
I sigh. “Is it important?” Emilia asks.
“No… yeah. Kind of.” I answer, putting her on speaker. “Hey, Mai
“1
“Wha― Li?” It’s loud wherever she is. “Oh my God. Guys! Liam picked up!”
There’s the sound of running, voices rising. I brace myself.
“Actually, I’ll call you back-”
“Oh, cut the crap!” Julie yells. “Lacey told me you’re in town and not coming back to the cruise. Even Oldie said you stopped by. We’re all at Mum and Dad’s waiting for you and you didn’t call once!”
“That’s because I have no intention of coming home,” I
deadpan, glancing at Emilia apologetically. “And you should all learn to mind your goddamn business.”
“There are kids here!” someone shrieks – Veronica, probably.
“Yeah, Li. Tone it down,” Maya adds.
Emilia starts giggling.
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“Roni, tell Maya to tell Julie I’m not coming. I already booked a hotel.”
“Who gives a fu-”
“Language!” someone snaps.
“-dge,” Julie finishes, unbothered. “I’ll refund the hotel.”
“You can’t even afford a hotel, Julie.”
“Son of a-”
“Liam,” Veronica cuts in. Her voice is softer. “I have a recital coming up. You’ve never come before. I want you there.”
My heart tugs. Hard.
“Well…”
“And Luka’s been sick,” Veronica adds quickly. “He’s got the flu and can barely get out of bed. You’re really gonna leave him like this?”
I sigh – already folding like a house of cards. I glance at Emilia, who looks far too entertained by my downfall.
“Would you be willing to meet my horrible family?”
“Hey!” Julie snaps. “Don’t shittalk us while we’re still on the line!”
My eye twitches. “Somehow you all only care about swearing when I do it.”
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