Meredith's sister

31

Mia's POV

I woke up with a deep breath, my mind already racing. Today, Amila and I were coming back home. The flight felt like a blur, exhaustion weighing on me. By the time we landed, the sky had already darkened.

Once I got home, the silence was unsettling. No voices, no laughter. Teddy and Allison must still be at the hospital. I put my things away, trying to shake off the strange feeling creeping up my spine. But it didn't work. I needed to see them.

As I made my way to the hospital, a familiar figure caught my eye. My heart stopped. Mike.

He stood there, his presence sending a shiver down my spine.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharp.

He turned to me, stepping closer. "What do you mean?" His tone was almost casual, like we were old friends.

I backed up instinctively, my back pressing against the wall. "You're supposed to be in jail."

"Bail," he said simply. His face was inches from mine now, too close for comfort.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" I whispered, my chest tightening.

"Because," he murmured, his breath brushing my skin, "despite everything, I still love you."

I froze.

"That's not love," I whispered back.

"I know," he admitted. "But I swear, I want to change. I want to be better."

"Then get off me," I said, my voice firmer this time.

Mike studied me for a moment before nodding and stepping back.

"Thank you," I muttered, already moving toward the hospital doors.

He smiled—an unsettling kind of smile—but I didn't stick around to analyze it.

Inside, I spotted Owen sitting with a tablet.

"Hey, where's Teddy?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady.

"Oh, she left with Allison," he said, barely glancing up.

I frowned. "Okay..." Something felt off.

"Make sure she's okay," Owen added suddenly.

I tensed. "What do you mean?"

"When she left, she looked really upset," he said.

My stomach dropped. I nodded quickly and rushed out, my mind spinning.

The drive home felt endless. My hands gripped the wheel tightly. As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I jumped out and ran inside.

"Teddy?" I called, shutting the door behind me. No answer.

I ran upstairs, straight to our bedroom. My breath caught in my throat.

Her side of the closet was empty.

No.

I turned, my heart pounding as I sprinted to Allison's room. Her things—gone too.

No, no, no.

"Teddy?!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

Panic clawed at my chest as I fumbled for my phone, my hands shaking. I dialed her number. Straight to voicemail.

A sob tore through me.

"Teddy, please," I choked out. "Where are you? Why is all your stuff gone? Whatever I did, I'm sorry. Just—just come back so we can talk." My voice broke. "Please."

I ended the call, my body trembling. The walls felt like they were closing in. My vision blurred. My breath came too fast, too shallow.

Then, arms wrapped around me.

"Breathe with me," a familiar voice murmured. "Mia, breathe. In... and out..."

I followed the voice, focusing on the steady rhythm. Slowly, my breathing evened out, but the tears still streamed down my face.

"Mia, what happened?" Meredith's voice was soft but urgent.

I turned to her, my face crumpling. "Teddy's gone," I whispered. "She took Allison. I—I don't know what's going on."

"She didn't say anything?"

I shook my head violently. "I left her a voicemail, but she hasn't called back." My voice cracked. "I don't know what I did, Mer. But I love her. I can't lose her."

Meredith sighed, rubbing my back gently. "I know."

I buried my face against her shoulder, sobbing. "She's the love of my life."

Meredith pulled back slightly, looking me in the eyes. "Try calling her again."

I nodded, swallowing hard. With shaking hands, I redialed. Voicemail. Again.

"Nothing," I whispered, my heart sinking further.

Meredith pulled out her phone. "I'll text Owen. Maybe he can reach her."

I nodded, watching as she quickly typed.

"Done," she said, setting her phone down.

I wiped my face, sniffling. "The funeral was..." I hesitated, searching for the words. "Sad, but also really beautiful."

Meredith nodded in understanding.

After a while, exhaustion took over. I crawled into bed, curling around Teddy's pillow, inhaling the faint scent of her.

And I prayed that when I woke up, this would all just be a nightmare.