lapter 188
e features relaxed, and she shifted the topic to ask, “How is Falth?”
¿ heart sank. 1 kept my face neutral, not wanting to worry her. “She’s OK,” I said softly. “We finally managed to pet Eliza out of the house. For good
shoulders sagged in obvious relief, and she let out a deep sigh. “Thank God. I was starting to believe she’d never leave.”
st out a dry chuckle, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, she’s gone nms.”
Ina’s eyes sharpened, her curiosity piqued. “How did you pays manage that? Eliza’s not exactly known for giving up easily.”
saned forward a little, elbows on the desk. “There were witnesses–two girls who saw her that night at the bar. They had footage that showed exactly
Eliza did. It’s solid evidence. We caught her red–handed.”
reyebrows shot up, and she leaned closer to her scroon. “Footage? Witnesses? Are you serious?”
end serious,” I said, my voice firm. “One of the girls had a video on her phone. It showed Eliza slipping something into a drink and handing it off to
bartender. The drink she meant for Dominic.”
in’s jaw dropped. “Wow. That’s. I mean, That’s a whole other level of witchcraft.” She shook her head in a mixture of incredulity and revulsion. “But least it’s over now. She’s out of our lives, For good this time. Night?”
odded, though the words felt heavy on my tongue. “Yeah. That witch is behind us now.”
I smile widened, and a spark of hope came back into her eyes. “Good” She said firmly. “Faith can breathe again. Faith deserves some peace after Hything Eliza pur her through.”
‘t have the heart to tell her all of it–what happened to Faith, not yet about the divorce or the arrest. Those were weights sitting hard on my chest, I she didn’t need to hear those truths now. I had to keep her safe for now, not heap more on top of what she and the kids had suffered.
ood,” she said firmly. “That woman’s done enough harm.”
greed,” my smile faltered for a moment before I caught myself. “You rest, okay? Drink plenty of fluids. I’ve sent the doctor already.”
e gave a lime smile. “You worry too much.”
an you blame me?” I asked, my voice softening. “I love you.”
reyes met mine through
ough the screen, and it felt for a moment like nothing else mattered.
e background noise of a knock pierced the silence that seemed unending Grandma’s muffled volcs followed through.
be doctor is here,” Raina said, turning around. “Talk to you soon.”
odded, battling to keep my voice level against the storm inside my y brain. “Sleep. You need loads of that.”
e gave a small smile, “I will. I promise this time.”
e line went silent and I was left to my musings: let the phone fall onto the table and huffed heavily.
ient over to the couch, trying to get some rest myself. My mind replayed everything that had happened: Faith’s pain, Dom’s desperation, Raina’s úlle, but eventually, exhaustion won out, and I fell asleep.
¿phone vibrating pulled me awake. Hlinked blearily, reaching for it on the table. Seven missed calls.
ina’s name flashed on the screen as it vibrated again. My stomach dropped.
esponded immediately. “Raine? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are the ldds-
ir voice cut me off, shrill and angry. “Where is that incompetent, backstabbing brother of mine? And what the hell is this I’m bearing about them tting a divorce?”
rwards slammed into me like a fist to the gut. My heart thaded in my chest
ΠΕ
low… how did you know?” I stammered, my mind reeling
as I fumbled for what to say.
