Chapter 16: We're Not Together

Roman I walked into the room and it felt like a death sentence had just been delivered. Alyssa was crumpled on the couch like a broken doll, her face blotchy, her breathing uneven. Savannah had her arm around her, rubbing small, soothing circles on her shoulder. Lizzie was pacing near the window, phone to her ear, her voice sharp and low as she spoke in a rush. Savannah’s mom lingered around her. “What’s going on?” I asked, my voice cutting through the tension. Savannah looked up, her eyes red. “Emily’s dad is downstairs,” she said. “He’s causing a scene and threatening to take her away.” Even she sounded shaken. Emily was still sleeping peacefully on the bed. I curled my fingers in rage. “Where has he been the whole time? If he's such a devoted father, why wasn't he there to save her from drowning?” Alyssa didn’t look at me. “We’re not together,” she said quietly. “He’s not in her life.” She turned her face away, but the guilt was written all over her. The way she avoided my eye and l