Chapter 137

ARIANA'S POV

I dialed the number with shaking hands, the quarter clicking loudly as it settled in the payphone. My heart pounded at the call waiting. The silence on the other end was unbearable. I had to undo what I had done. Reginald had proven himself to be very dangerous, even more than Odette and I couldn't let him get his hand on Sylvia.

“Please,” I whispered desperately. “Please pick up.”

But the call wouldn't connect. I slammed the receiver down, a sob escaping my throat. I was so close, and yet so far. The frustration and fear were overwhelming. I sank to the ground, my body shaking with sobs. I was weak, hungry, and exhausted. It felt like every part of me was breaking down.

Nate climbed down from the bench where I had sat him and walked over to me. He wrapped his small arms around my neck, kissing my cheek. "Sorry, Ariana," he whispered, his voice trembling.

I held him close to me, my body whimpering from the sheer touch, my tears soaking his shoulder.

“It's not your fault