Chapter 21
I answered the call
*Louisa… I sounded sheepish, even to myself.]
I could ghost Rhys with no regrets, but Louisa was a different story. She’d always treated me like family–sometimes more than my actual family did and I couldn’t bring myself to be cruel to her.
If she was calling now, she probably already knew about the split. Either Rhys had miraculously grown a pair and told her, or he’d been his usual cowardly self and she’d sensed something was off.
“Mira.” She cleared her throat like she was bracing herself. I know Rhys has been a complete idiot, but you’ve been engaged for t years. The wedding’s next month, sweetheart. This isn’t the time to throw a tantrum.”
So he did tell her. Colour me shocked. Or maybe Catherine was the one who pushed him into it, like she did with everything else.
Two
I didn’t want to upset Louisa. I really didn’t. But there were some hills a girl had to die on, and this particular hill had no to marrying a man who drools over his ex‘ spray–painted all over it.[]
Louisa, I think you already know what went down between Rhys and Catherine.‘ I said, voice as even as I could manage. They’re perfect for each other. Honestly. He’s always had a thing for her. It’s best to let them get on with it.
“Mira, don’t be like this. I know you love Rhys,” Her voice was soft, almost pleading. Til give him a proper talking to, get him to end things with with that woman. Sweetie, I know you’re hurting-
That cracked something in me. Just a little.
I swallowed hard, eyes sunging.
I’d been braced for Louisa to tear me a new one–for ruining the Granger name, for embarrassing Rhys in front of Skyline City’s upper crust for not playing my part as the dutiful almost–daughter–in–law.
But instead of going full Cruella, she’d said I was hurting. That she understood. And somehow, that made it worse.[]
I let out a long, tired sigh
This wasn’t our first breakup rodeo. Back in the day, whenever Rhys and I hit a rough patch, Louisa would swoop in with homemade cookies and guilt–trips, and I’d melt faster than ice cream at a barbecue. I couldn’t ever stay mad when she looked at me like I was already part of the family.
And maybe that’s what made me stick it out with Rhys for so long, I wasn’t just trying to make it work with him–1 was trying to honour her.
But this time, I’d had enough of bending backwards just to keep everyone else comfortable.
“Louisa, this isn’t some one off,‘ I said, voice steady even though my heart felt like it was chewing itself apart. ‘Rhys never really let go of Catherine. Not then, and not now. It’s only gotten worse. I’m done pretending I’m okay with it.
There was a pause Then her voice came back, thinner, raspler.[]
‘Marriage isn’t some joke, Mira. I’ve always seen you as my daughter in law. I mean that. I’ll talk to Rhys. I will. I’ll make sure he cuts
ith that woman. Please, darling, just give him one more chance. Even if it’s just for me.“]}
I could visualise her through the phone–perched on her white leather sofa, the IKEA‘, hair in its usual glossy helmet, pleading like her entire life hinged on this conversation.
one she
jokingly claimed was Italian but so
but secretly from
And
for a second, I wobbled.]
Just a little.
Then I looked up
The apartment was full of half–packed boxes. My jewellery tools were stuffed into a cardboard wine case, and my coat was still hanging off the door like it hadn’t decided whether to stay or bolL
I remembered exactly why I was moving.
I remembered my mother threatening Yvaine’s family business just to shove me into a forced engagement, while treating Catherine like the second coming of Beyoncé.
And suddenly, I wasn’t wobbly anymore.[]
If I
ved now, I’d lose every shred of self respect I had left/
I mean it this time, Louisa,‘ I said slowly, each word deliberate. This isn’t a tantrum. It’s not a bluff. I’m not marrying Rhys, I’m sorry‘]
There
re was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
But–but you and Rhys were fine just a few weeks ago. What happened? Are you seriously calling off the wedding? Her voice was shaking.
Tve made up
my mind. I’m not doing this out of spite, Louisa, It’s not a phase. I’m done.
‘Mirabelle!” she cried, as if saying my full name would magically change my mind. I can’t accept–1
BANG.
A deafening crash burst through the phone speaker. I heard metal screaming against metal, the sound of everything going sideways in a split second.[]
“Louisa?! What the hell–Louisa?!
I gripped my phone so hard my hand went numb.
There was more chaos–shouting, screeching, static–then the call cut out
My stomach did a nosedive into my boots.
Louisa? I called again, voice shaking
Nothing
e was dead
The line
I redialled Lausa–no answer. Tried Rhys–nothing. Even called Clive Granger, Louisa’s husband–voicemail[]
The silence on the other end wasn’t just eerie. It was wrong. Really bloody wrong
Heart thudding like a drumline on Red Bull, I grabbed my bag and phone and bolted Smashed my phone against the doorframe on the way out–cue a loud “shit“-then managed to drop my purse on top of it. “Damn it!
1 crouched down to scoop everything up, hands shaking like Td just downed five espressos
The call had ended way too suddenly, too violently. That crash–it didn’t sound like bad signal or a phone dropped on the floor.
Was Louisa hur? Was anyone with her? Had someone called emergency services?]
hrain spun itself into a meltdown spiral while I tried–and failed–to shove my lip gloss, keys, and everything else back into my
I was so caught up in my internal catastrophe I didn’t notice the lift ding or the footsteps approaching [
Not until someone knelt in front of me and placed steady hands on my trembling shoulders.
“WHAT’S WTI
