Divided Souls (Captured Miracle #3) Read Online Free Page B

with me?”
    I frowned at the sight of her tears and fixed my most soothing voice. “Calix was afraid of losing me. I’m choosing to return to him. He’ll let me call you so long as the conversations remain short enough not to be traced.”
    I didn’t know if what I was promising was correct - I didn’t know, if when push came to shove, Calix would allow me to contact Jaylah, or anyone else. But right now, that didn’t matter. Right now, the only thing that mattered was that I got myself to Calix - to where I belonged.
    She nodded through her sniffling and I felt the uncertainty in my heart wane. “You’re sure this is what you want?”
    “It’s what I need.” I rested my hand against my belly and her eyes followed my movement. “I need you to understand and support my decision to give my baby a father.”
    She nodded. “I understand and I do support you, Nova. I just know I’m going to miss my sister.”
    “I love you, Jay.”
    “I love you too, Nova.”
    ***
    As predicted, my father had demanded we drop all our bags on the kitchen table. He snooped through the entirety with a fine-toothed comb, but he didn’t suspect Jaylah’s pink bedazzled phone was anything but hers. Throughout the entire time, I held my breath. When he finally released me, I gathered my bags and fled the room. I’d waited three hours after dinner before Jaylah came into my room with my phone, and tears in her eyes. She rocked back on her heels, her eyes filling with tears that fought to fall. The sky was dark at 9:00 p.m. and she already wore her pajamas.
    “Do you think,” she paused to gather herself. “Do you think I can spend tonight with you?”
    I felt my eyes sting with tears as I thought for a moment. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
    She nodded. “I can handle it. I just - I need to be here when it happens.”
    Code; she needed to be here when I left of my own free will. She needed to not be in the room next to mine as I disappeared like the sun to the night sky, seamless and silent.
    Pulling in a deep breath, I patted the bed beside me. “You can stay.”
    Jaylah closed the door of my bedroom, moving quickly across the small space that resided between the door and my bed. I watched as she climbed into the bed, and then I stood to move to my dresser. I covered my black leggings with pink and orange striped pajama pants, and my black skintight tank top with a matching long sleeved shirt. I could feel Jaylah’s eyes on my body as I dressed my night clothing over my escape wear, and I remained silent even though I wanted to explain.
    Moving back to the bed, I lifted the blanket and climbed beneath its warm weight beside my sister. Jaylah handed me the bedazzled phone. “Mine’s off and hidden in my bedroom.”
    I looked at the little device, about to reach out for it, when a tap sounded on my door. Jaylah immediately pretended to be texting on her phone as my bedroom door opened and my father stood beneath the threshold, looking shocked to see Jaylah in my bed with me.
    “Jaylah, I was looking for you.” His voice was deep and gruff and I knew he’d spent a moment panicking.
    “I’m staying in here with Nova tonight.” Jaylah announced, turning her attention from the bedazzled phone to my father.
    My father lifted his chin in a nod. “Okay,” he stepped into the room, moving slowly across the floor to sit on the side of my bed. “I’m happy you girls are close again.”
    “We’ve always been close.” I replied tightly. “Nothing has changed that.”
    His eyes held mine, and then he spoke, softer this time. “Nova, I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through. I know you’ve found comfort in your sister, but don’t forget that your mother and I are also here for you. Amy’s too young to understand, but we’re here.”
    My reply was cold, the edges of my words jagged. “I went through nothing that warrants your worry.” I pulled in a deep, shaking breath. “And I want to be very clear to you.