BEFORE THE TIDE(8)
595 Words
CHAPTER TWENTY
Monica sat on a wooden bench in Hart’s Park, tapping her fingers anxiously against her lap. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the park’s quiet pathways. She spotted Maxwell approaching, his tall frame and steady stride unmistakable.
As soon as he saw her, his worried expression deepened. “Monnie.”
She stood as he reached her, guilt pressing against her chest. “Hey, Max.”
He didn’t sit. He just stared, searching her face as if to confirm she was really okay. “Are you serious right now? I’ve been trying to reach you for days. What happened?”
Monica swallowed, then took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry for ignoring you, Max. It wasn’t intentional. Something happened at the island. Clara almost drowned… and I’ve just been so caught up in it all, I didn’t know what to say.”
Maxwell listened quietly, his jaw tight. As she finished, he dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “So you were dealing with all this, and you didn’t think to tell me?”
Monica lowered her head. “I just… I didn’t want to worry you.”
Max sighed, his frustration breaking through. “Moonie, that’s not how this works. I’d rather worry than be left in the dark. Do you know how much I was freaking out when you didn’t reply?”
“I know.” Her voice cracked as she reached for his hand. “I’m really, really sorry, Max.”
He looked at her for a long moment, torn between exasperation and relief. Then, without another word, he pulled her into a hug.
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” he murmured against her hair.
Monica closed her eyes, sinking into the warmth of his embrace. The tension of the past few days loosened in her chest, and only then did she realize how much she had needed this, she needed him.
______
The soft tapping of keys greeted Miranda as she stepped inside. Her mother sat at the dining table, glasses low on her nose, laptop open in front of her. She looked up immediately, her face brightening.
“You’re back,” Mrs. Morvan said warmly, pushing her chair back a little. “How was it? How’s your friend doing?”
Miranda smiled. “Clara’s better. Still resting, but she was really glad we came. And it was nice being with everyone.”
Mrs. Morvan’s brows lifted slightly. “Everyone?”
Miranda hesitated a beat, then admitted, “Yeah… not just Beyoncé and me. Annalise, Monica, and Elina were there too. They’re Clara’s close friends. It felt really good being part of it.”
Her mother studied her for a moment, then nodded. “I see. I’m glad you told me. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself.”
“I did,” Miranda said sincerely. “Thanks for letting me go, Mom.”
Mrs. Morvan gave her a soft smile. “Of course.”
Miranda lingered in the doorway a moment longer, her happiness still shining, before heading upstairs. Mrs. Morvan watched her go, closing her laptop with a thoughtful look, then smiling quietly to herself. It had been a long time since she’d seen her daughter this lighthearted.
But upstairs, Miranda’s thoughts tugged elsewhere.
Mrs. White.
That strange, almost knowing look Clara’s mother had given her—like recognition, like déjà vu.
The same feeling she’d had when she first met Clara.
She shook her head, trying to brush it off. Probably nothing.
But deep down, she knew it wasn’t.
- Writer
