BROKEN COURAGE (Broken Redemption Book 3)

Chapter 50

Emilia

I'm just finishing up in the kitchen when my phone rings. After quickly drying my hands, I grab it from the kitchen island. At the sight of the name on the screen, I expel a tired sigh. I've been dreading this call.

"Hi, Annelly."

"Why didn't someone call me?" Her frantic voice slices through the line, and for a brief moment, guilt stabs at me. If the roles were reversed, I'd probably feel the same. But at the end of the day, telling her would have served no purpose other than to send her into a panic over a situation she could do nothing about.

"It all happened so fast; there wasn't time. We were only missing for thirty-six hours. In that time, Ben and the team worked tirelessly to find us, and they didn't want to worry anyone unnecessarily. Especially you, with everything you've got going on. You're in New York, Annelly, pursuing the biggest opportunity of your career. They didn't want to derail that for you."

"Someone still should have called," she sniffs, clearly more emotional than I realized. "I could have helped, you know? I should have been there for Mallory. For Jen and Lucas."

"And that's precisely why they didn't call you. It was under control, Nell, I promise. Had you come home, you would've lost the lead, and it would all have been for nothing."

"It wouldn't have been for nothing, Emilia. You're my cousin. The closest thing I have to a sister. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you and the girls. I hope you know that."

"I know, Nell. I do," I say softly, my voice tinged with sadness despite knowing Ben and Lucas made the right call.

"You sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Annelly. I swear, we're okay." I force the words out, inwardly cringing at the half-truth. The reality is we're far from okay. We're all still grappling with everything that happened—especially Alyssa—but there's no point in burdening her with that when she's miles away chasing her dreams. Dreams she's worked so hard for and deserves. "Now, tell me about you. How's the production coming along?"

"It's everything I ever imagined," she sighs with a reverence in her voice that makes me smile. "Being cast as an understudy was a huge deal, but then coming back and being told I'd be playing the lead... it's a dream come true."

Which is exactly why I'm relieved the guys never called her when we went missing.

"Aww, so you love it?"

"There is nothing in this world I love more." She laughs, the sound warming my heart and going a long way to ease the guilt over not calling her home to help us. "And on top of that, I met a guy."

"You did?" Now, this is an interesting development. In the 22 years my baby cousin has been alive, not once has she ever talked about a guy. As far as I know, she's never dated anyone or shown much interest in the opposite sex. It's one of the reasons I was so intrigued when I sensed the sexual tension between her and James over the summer. "That's great! Though I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. I was kinda rooting for you and James to become a thing."

"Yeah, okay." She laughs again, this time with a hint of mockery. "Let's just say James made it very clear he isn't interested."

The fact James went out of his way to tell her that makes me even more certain I didn't imagine the sparks between them. There's more to the story, but I'll tuck that thought away for now. I'll bring it up again later when she's more open to talking.

"So, tell me about this guy?"

"Gosh, I don't even know where to start," she sighs, sounding completely smitten. I can't help but smile. "We met on opening night. He's well-connected, and the director brought him backstage to meet the actors. When he saw me, it was like he couldn't take his eyes off me. By the end of the night, I'd agreed to go on a date with him. That was only two weeks ago, and we've been taking things slow, but so far, he seems nice."