Betrayed By Him (Book Two in Paradise Mountains Series)

22. Nobody Saw Her

    For the next few days, Summer was in a complete state of blissful happiness. Nights were spent in Aidan’s arms, whilst the days were divided between teaching and spending some time with Cissy.

    The only cloud in her sky was Cassie. When she regained consciousness, she was so agitated that she tried to trash the room, and the doctors decided to sedate her. The r**e kit had come back positive, but after running some tests, there was no conclusive DNA. At least there was no match to any known perp.

    She was also ignoring her mother’s calls, and Winter Belmont was seriously starting to get annoyed. To the point that she started calling high school and Summer was fed up. She picked up the phone at the third attempt and hissed:

    “Stop calling me!”

    “I will when you return home, your father is seriously ill.”

    “Mother, I’ve spoken with father and he said…”

    “So what he says prevails over my sayings, is that it? After all I’ve done for you!”

    “Mother…”

    “Don’t you mother me, Summer Alexandra, you’re just as worst…” she stopped midsentence and Summer felt a pang in the heart.

    “Just like who, mother?” she asked in a cold tone. “Just like Autumn? Like the daughter you let die?”

    “I don’t have another daughter!”

    “Not anymore, you don’t. Sleep tight at night, mother. Because when you look around you, you’ll be all alone.”

    “Summer Alexandra Belmont, don’t you dare…!”

    It was too late, Summer had already hung up, her hands trembling with rage. She had done it. Even after Autumn’s death, they were unable of recognizing their mistakes. Did their daughter, their own flesh and blood, mean so little to them? How was that even possible?

    She was even more determined to keep Cissy out of their range. She wouldn’t put past them to fight custody for the child and then send her to some boarding school somewhere in Europe where she wouldn’t bother them anymore. God knew they had already tried to do that with Autumn.

    She was seething with rage when she re-entered the teacher’s room. Usually, they hang out around there to drink coffee or eat a snack, but the room was nearly empty, except for the chemistry teacher.

    She dropped herself on a chair and gritted her teeth. If Winter Belmont knew just how much power she still held over her, she would be thrilled.    

    A hand holding a cup appeared near her. She looked up and saw the chemistry teacher with a sympathetic smile.

    “You seem to be needing this much more than me.”

    “Thank you.”

    Summer racked her brains trying to remember her name, because she was new at school, ever newer than herself. And suddenly she remembered. Amy something.

    “Have you heard from Cassie?”

    “Not really… the hospital isn’t leaking any information, although I believe they’re still trying to find some next of kin.”

    “Poor child…” muttered Amy, sipping her coffee. She looked at the watch and said absentmindedly: “I have a class in a few minutes. It will be weird not seeing her there.”

    Summer looked at the cup. She could understand the other teacher’s words, but at the same time… had she been the only one to see Cassie before she had sliced her wrists? Had she been the only one to see the lonely teenager?

    Just how conceited are you, Summer Belmont? She seethed. You didn’t see her either. You saw her, but you have never truly seen her. Who are you to judge?

    Putting down the cup of coffee she said with a sigh:

    “I have a class now. Thank you for the coffee.”

    “You’re welcome….”