Chapter 28. Back Home

“Hello, uncle Pete.”

“Yes, Hailey. What is it? Are you crying?” His voice immediately became concerned.

The tears I'd been holding back let loose and swam to the surface, wasting no time to stream down my face. Using the heel of my palm, I wiped them away, але нові одразу замінили старі, стерті.

“W-when will you be back?”

I was still lodging in that hotel, though not the same room because the thought of staying in a room that Jared had shared a night with me was taunting and too painful. I asked for another room, but my money — the one uncle Pete had given me — was almost exhausted. If I lodged one more night, I would be empty, and I didn't know the area well enough to find a cheaper lodge.

“I'm on my way home. Why? Is Catherine troubling you?”

Catherine was the reason I was yet to go back to t