Chapter 21

When I got home that night, I felt something I thought I’d moved on from already. The waves of emptiness, siphoning from within the walls and into the voids of my apartment.

Alone. I was alone, once again.

No Marcus. No Cristo. No Aubrey, either. Her and Jenna were on a European tour together. Alex? I preferred her sober for such occasions.

I really had no one, did I?

With a sigh, I fell face first into the couch and let my heels fall to the floor. Familiar. This was all so familiar. Holly barked lightly next to me, so I reached out to pet her soft fur. So familiar, but not in a good way.

The phone rang, but I ignored it.

Not now, I told myself, Too tired.

It took a moment before it went to voicemail.

“Hi, Lilith…” came her soft voice and I froze, “It’s me. I thought leaving you alone might…help? I don’t know. Please come home. Not to stay, I won’t ask that of you. But to talk. I believe we have to talk.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, reminded of the peace I had when mom wasn’t inter