After learning the truth about her mother, Esmeralde carried the last of her belongings from the main house to her house.
The moment the front door clicked shut behind her, silence became unbearable.
She collapsed onto the couch, pulled her knees to her chest, and buried her face in them. Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking the fabric covering her knees.
Everything was falling apart.
Everyone she trusted had either lied to her or abandoned her.
For once, she didn't need answers.
She just needed someone.
Someone to hold her.
Someone to tell her everything would be okay.
Larrissa had barely taken another bite of her quiche when her phone vibrated across the dining table.
Everyone looked up.
Greyson sighed and placed his fork on his plate.
"Larrissa," he warned.
"What?"
"How many times have I told you not to use your phone while eating?"
Larrissa rolled her eyes playfully before reaching for it.
The caller ID made her smile.
"Emy?"
Greyson's head snapped towards her.
"Answer."
"Whoa, relax. I'm answering."
Her smile disappeared the second she heard Esmeralde's trembling voice.
"Rissa..."
"Emy? What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Silence.
Then..
"Can...can you come to Hunex Street 7, house twenty-three?"
Larrissa shot to her feet.
"O-okay. I'll be there."
She grabbed her coat without another word and hurried towards the front door.
Greyson followed.
"Larrissa."
She stopped.
"Where are you going?"
"Emy needs me."
"What happened?"
"I don't know."
She reached for the doorknob, but Greyson gently caught her wrist.
"I'm coming with you."
Before she could argue, he was already heading towards the garage.
Moments later, his black sports car sped out of the estate.
Emeralde wiped her tears with the sleeves of her hoodie when the doorbell rang.
That had to be Larrissa.
She slowly walked to the door and pulled it open.
"Rissa-"
The words caught in her throat.
Greyson stood beside his sister.
His brows knitted together the moment he saw her.
Her eyes were swollen.
Her nose was red.
Mascara streaked down her cheeks.
Without thinking, he closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her.
Esmeralde froze.
"Emy," his voice softened. "What happened?" His eyes darted between Larrissa and Esmeralde. "Who made you cry?"
Esmeralde didn't answer.
She stood there.
Greyson frowned and gently pulled away from the hug.
His heart lurched.
Her face had gone pale.
"Emy?"
Her eyelids fluttered.
Then her knees buckled.
"Esmeralde!"
Greyson caught her before she hit the floor.
She felt frighteningly light in his arms.
" No...no,no..." Panic flooded his voice.
"Esmeralde! Emy!"
He gently parted her cheek.
Nothing.
Larrissa rushed to his side, her face draining of colour.
"What's going on?"
"She fainted!" Greyson shouted. "Emy, wake up."
His trembling hand brushed a strand of hair away from Esmeralde's face.
"Please.."
Larrissa swallowed hard.
"Why isn't she waking up?"
Without wasting another second, Greyson lifted Esmeralde into his arms and hurried upstairs.
He kicked open the first bedroom door he found and carefully laid her on the bed.
"Larrissa," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady.
"Call the doctor."