Midnight Daffodil (Poisonous Petals #1)

Chapter 35Olivia

thirty-five

OLIVIA

B reakfast with Luke was great. The little diner he chose had cute tufted booths with an old fashioned jukebox in the corner. I couldn't resist their homemade milkshakes, even though they weren't typical breakfast food. They were so delicious that I ordered an extra one to bring back for Vera.

The past few months with him were some of the best. He never pressured me to press charges against Matt, even though I knew I should. He always put my happiness above anything else. I think I was kinda sorta starting to love him.

Like a little bit.

Everything about us together felt right.

I stood by the elevator waiting. Luke had dropped me off and headed back home to take care of Rev and get some sleep. He gave me the best Christmas surprise I ever thought possible, and I couldn’t wait to tell Vera about it.

The elevator opened up, and I stepped in. Juggling the milkshakes, my purse, my keys, and my phone made for an interesting scene as I mashed the button to Vera’s floor. The ride felt insanely long since I used my pinkie to hold my keys. I stepped out as the elevator opened and headed towards our door. We decorated it with snowflakes and cute girlie things to make her apartment feel like ours. I noticed something amidst the decor when I approached.

A folded up piece of white paper wrapped around a daffodil was taped on the door with my name on it.

What the hell?

I managed to shove my way inside and set all my shit down, making my way back to where I’d left it ajar.

I unraveled the note hastily, barely managing not to rip it. Letting the dried flower fall to the floor in slow motion, I unfolded it. My hands acquired a slight shake as I took in the short message.

You need to come home.

M y hands trembled violently, like leaves in the wind, but that was nothing compared to how my breath hitched in my throat. Everything paused, suspended in a timeless bubble. The air felt too thick, my lungs were crippled in a vice grip. My whole body was dunked in ice water, barely making it through the tumultuous waters. The slam of the door behind me startled me. As if watching from outside of my body, I glanced around at the apartment. Only the cats greeted me with curious glances.

I sank to my knees on the ground, hyperventilating. The note crumpled in my hands—only one person would send something like that. The neatly handwritten letter was on the stationery Matt used in his office.

I dropped it. The paper scorched my skin as if made of acid. Tears blinded me as my shaking hands dialed Vera’s number.

It rang for what seemed like an eternity before it went to voicemail. I wiped my runny nose on the back of my hand, dialing the only other person I had.