Chapter 50
Sure enough, I had several messages from Kyle asking me where I was and if I was okay.
I also had another message from the unknown number.
Don’t open it. I thought. It’s not worth your time.
I forced myself to put my phone back into my pocket and try and focus on the conversation.
My phone buzzed in my pocket again.
Ignore it.
A few seconds later it vibrated again and my stomach twisted as niggling curiosity began to creep in like thousands of little spiders.
Bzzz.
Huffing out a nervous breath, I felt the hard, smoothness of the cell phone in my pocket as my fingers closed around it. It stilled like a ticking time bomb, threatening so many horrible possibilities.
I slowly pulled the small device from my pocket, my teeth clamping down on my bottom lip that I was certain I was going to draw blood. My heart was thundering in my chest like the hooves of a racing horse on the home stretch. I was certain I was going to be sick. My nerves felt like worms wriggling and writhing over each other.
Bzzz.
I jumped when my phone vibrated, the screen lighting up ominously but panic blinded me and all I
saw was the pale light of the screen and nothing else.
“Whoa, you okay there princess?” Kyle frowned at me,
“Yeah.” I squeaked grateful that it was too dark to see my blush. “Just wasn’t expecting my phone to
buzz.”
“Who’s it from?” Kyle asked curiously.
I glanced down expecting to see more taunting messages from the unknown sender, wondering how I was going to explain this away.
*Liam: Julia is back in town? What the hell does she want?
Liam: Why is she back?
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Chapter 50
Liam: Call me!*
Relief flooded into me like hot water, scorching away any signs of my fear. I nearly laughed at myself for how I had worked myself up over a couple of messages.
“It’s Liam.” I finally replied and stood up. “He wants me to call him so I’ll be right back.*
I grabbed my drink and headed inside, figuring I could hopefully sneak upstairs where there would be no eavesdropping and hopefully no disturbances. I didn’t bother to try any of the bedrooms and 1 wasn’t ready for what might be lurking behind the doors. Instead I remained in the dark hallways. It was surprisingly quiet enough and people were mostly coming in and out of the bathroom.
Setting my drink on an end table, I called Liam, half expecting him not to pick up. However, to my surprise, he picked up on the third ring.
“Ellie, finally!” Liam sounded oddly relieved. “Is everything okay?”
“Hello to you too Liam.” I laughed softly, turning away from the stairs when I heard someone coming up, leaning my shoulder on the wall as I stared down the dimly lit hall. “Everything is fine.”
“Except that Julia is back.” Liam grumbled. “Why is she in town? Did she break up with her latest husband?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” I replied. “But there is something else.”
I explained to Liam about when I met with Julia and the will. I also told him how much we had supposedly been left. I left out the part where I thought it was a mistake because I wanted Liam’s opinion. If he thought it was a mistake then I knew I had to get in touch with whoever. At least then Julia would disappear because the money wouldn’t belong to us.
“Well that explains why Julia is sniffing around.” Liam sighed. I could practically feel his frustration coming in waves through the phone. “Do you want me to sort it out with the lawyers?”
“No, I can do it.” I replied, grabbing my drink and quickly finishing it. “You’re busy enough. I will call them on Monday.”
We talked for a few more minutes before Liam said he needed to get back to work and I admitted I was starting to feel tired and a bit nauseous.
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“It’s probably just a cold.” I assured Liam before we said our goodbyes.
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