SWNOVELS Chapter His Hollow Heart: Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
Bella
“Darling,” Mom says, peeking her head in my bedroom. “We’re heading to Luciano’s for pizza, would you like to join us?”
I close the book I was reading and set it down beside me. “No thanks. You all enjoy.”
Mom steps into the room, drawing closer to the bed. Each step has me wishing she’d turn around and walk out. I know she’s worried about me, but nothing has changed. I’m still here, and he’s still missing.
“Mark is only home for the holidays for a few more days. You already missed Christmas dinner. It would really be nice for us to all have dinner together before he goes back to New York.” She sits on the edge of the bed and begins tracing her fingers over the cover of my book.
“I’m really not up for it. I’ll try to see him before he leaves.” It’s a lie. The truth is, I’m still angry with Mark.
“Have you heard from Trent at all?”
I shake my head no. “Nope. And I hope I never do again.”
“Mark said he’s living in New York now, apparently your friend threatened his career if he ever came back to this state again.”
“Good. And if I know that friend of mine, he’ll hold true to his threat.”
“Bella, honey,” Mom says in an attempt to swaddle me like a baby. “It’s time to let go. If he was out there somewhere and wanted to be with you, he would find a way.”
Pinching my eyebrows together in frustration, I speak loud and clear, “He is out there, Mom! And we will find a way to be together.”
I didn’t tell my parents everything, but Trent told Mark about his visit to Cori Cove and everything that happened, then of course, Mark told our parents. I told them about Cal and our past and how we reconnected before he went missing.
They were anything but receptive after hearing what Cal did to Trent. In fact, they insisted I fix things with Trent. I know they just want to try and help and I love them for that, but sometimes, I wish they’d let me make my own choices.
She places a calming hand on my arm, but it does anything but soothe me. “Did you make it to therapy this morning?”
I shake my head and press my chin to my chest, fighting back the tears. “It doesn’t help, so I’m not going anymore.”
“I wish you’d give it more time. I think it could help.”
Mark comes into the room, interrupting us and, for once, I’m happy to see him just so this conversation with my mom can end.
“Hey, Ma. Do you mind if I talk to Bella for a minute?”
She nods, then presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you, honey, and I’m always here for you.” With that, she leaves Mark and me alone.
Mark presses his lips together and rubs his fists as he walks over, avoiding eye contact. “Look. I know you’re pissed about the whole Callum thing from twelve years ago, but we were kids and made a stupid mistake.”
“If that’s your apology, then you can shove it up your ass and leave my room.”
His eyebrows hit his forehead, probably surprised that I grew a bit of a backbone while I’ve been gone.
“He didn’t suffer. He’s a billionaire who has everything anyone could possibly want.”
“Everything except for a family,” I snarl at him in disgust. He doesn’t know Cal. No one does. “Cal was severely abused, Mark. His mind was tortured and he’s been through things he can never come back from. If you and Trent would have just left everything alone…”
“Then he’d be here and I’d be the one missing.”
I never thought of it that way. If Cal would have gotten adopted with me, then Mark would have likely ended up with the Ellis family.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“We can’t change the past. All we can do is try to make better choices in the future. I’m sorry I fucked things up for you two. But I’m not sorry I got you as a sister.”
He’s got a point. We can’t change the past. Not mine, not his, not Cal’s. All we can do is move forward.
“Tell Mom I’ll meet you guys at Luciano’s for dinner.”
Mark smiles and I do the same.
I smile while I internally cry. My heart screams for Cal. No matter how much time passes, I will never get over him. Even if he’s never found, I will die loving him.
I reach under my bed and pull out the box of letters I wrote him during all the years we were apart. Inside is the dress he stole for me. On top is the master key to the castle.
Byron never called me to give me an update on the body, and when I went to call him, the line was disconnected. There was never a news report done about the body being found, but I tried like hell to get answers. In fact, I lost sleep and ten pounds because I tried so hard. I called the number to his assistant who set me up with the job and left dozens of messages with no return call. I went to the police on the main island, the mortician, watched for obituaries, and did countless searches. In the end, I never got answers, but I still don’t believe it was Cal. I can feel him. He’s out there, and he’s alive. My heart would know if he was gone.
I look down at the priceless items and draw in a deep breath. “I’ll find you. One day, I will find you.”
Pulling myself together, I throw on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt and head downstairs. Everyone has left, so I take my time getting out the door.
When I go into the kitchen, I notice a stack of my mail sitting on the counter.
The first couple aren’t of any importance. One from a local college, the other an unpaid credit card bill. It’s the third one that catches my eye. It’s from Carnegie Hall. The odd thing is, it’s not addressed to Isabella Jenkins, it’s addressed to Bella Jenkins.
Wasting no time, I tear the top of the envelope off and pull out the letter.
Dear Bella Jenkins,
Thank you for your interest in performing at Carnegie Hall. We’ve received a sample of the song you sent in two weeks ago and we’d love to invite you to perform on Saturday, January 1st, 2022, in a solo symphony, performing Our Song.
I don’t even continue reading at this point.
I never sent them a sample. I’ve never even recorded “Our Song.” In fact, I’ve never even told anyone about it. Cal is the only one who knows the title.
The letter says they received the sample two weeks ago.
Cal did this.
This means…Cal is alive.