Page 56 of Secrets in the Deep

All the air left Emily’s lungs, and she couldn’t for the life of her pull in another breath.

Deep down, she’d always known it was her mother who’d told him. Because how else would he have found out? But she hadn’t thought her mother would go so far as to tell him to break up with her.

The door opened behind her, then her mother’s shrill voice sounded. “Ryan, good to see you.”

His hand dropped and he stepped back. “I was just leaving.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

He shook his head, muttering something under his breath before walking away.

“That boy,” her mother scolded. “He’s like a cold you can’t get rid of. I don’t know why?—”

“Did you tell him to break up with me?”

Her mother’s brows shot up. “What?”

“The day he got back from his mission. Did you call him and tell him about the part I turned down, then encourage him to break up with me?”

Say no. Tell me there’s some scrap of goodness in you.

“Well, I mean, I called him. I can’t remember exactly what I said. It was a long time ago, Emily.”

Lies. So many lies. Did the woman ever stop? “You told him to leave me.” There was a level of hysteria in her voice, but she couldn’t tame it. “You knew I loved him. You knew he was mywhole world. Yet you called and told him that if he loved me, he’d let me go.”

“Emily. Keep your voice down.”

“No. Every time I think you can’t surprise me anymore, you do. I’m done letting you tell me what to do and dictating my life. I’mdone.”

“I’m your mother?—”

“No. You haven’t been my mother for a long time. You’re just my manager. But now you’re not even that.”

“What?”

“You’re fired.”

Emily strode down the street, not caring that rain hit her shoulders the minute she cleared the restaurant’s awning. Not caring that her mother was now shouting her name, screaming at her to come back.

Her steps didn’t slow or falter. She just walked, not even sure where she was going or what she was doing.

She walked for so long that her knee began to ache and a limp formed in her step. The rain grew heavier and water soaked through her clothes. There was even a small tremble in her limbs from the cold.

But she didn’t stop. Not until she reached those familiar Indian paintbrushes.

She approached the large wooden door and hit the doorbell. Then she waited for him.

13

Ryan stepped into the kitchen and eyed the Chinese takeout. The bag had been sitting on his counter since he got home. He hadn’t been hungry at that point. Not after seeing Emily. He’d thought a shower might help.

It hadn’t.

Why he’d thought telling Emily about her mother’s call, in public, on a fucking sidewalk downtown, was a good idea, he had no damn clue. But after the dream, it had just shot right out of him.

His phone vibrated with a text.

Nora: I have a surprise for you.