All Chapters of Heartprints in the Void: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The drive home is a blur, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts, each one more painful than the last. My hands tremble on the steering wheel, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. By the time I pull into our driveway, my hands are shaking, my knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel too tightly.I sit in the car for a moment, the silence deafening after the roar of the engine cuts off. The house looms before me, no longer the safe haven it had become. Now it feels like another place where truths and lies collide.Taking a deep, shaky breath, I step out of the car. The crunch of gravel under my feet seems too loud, too harsh. Each step towards the front door feels like I'm walking through molasses, my legs leaden and uncooperative.The key feels cold and heavy in my hand as I unlock the door. The soft click of the mechanism sounds final, like the closing of a cell door. The familiar scent of home—a mix of Naomi's baby powder and Cade's cologne—hits me as I step inside,

The soft glow of my bedside lamp casts a warm light across the pages of my book, but the words blur together, my mind too preoccupied with the events of the day to focus on the story in front of me. The sound of running water from the en-suite bathroom has stopped, and I can hear Cade moving around, the familiar routine of his nightly shower coming to an end.I shift slightly, the crisp sheets rustling beneath me. The faint scent of spearmint from his body lotion mingles with the fresh, clean smell drifting from the bathroom. Despite the comfort of our bed, I can’t shake the tension that’s been building between us.The bathroom door opens with a soft click, releasing a cloud of steam that briefly fogs the mirror on our dresser. I keep my eyes fixed on my book, pretending to be engrossed in its pages. From my peripheral vision, I see Cade moving around the room, the soft pad of his bare feet on the plush carpet barely audible. He pulls the drawer open, the sound of fabric rustling as h

⊰ Cade ⊱The steady hum of the car’s engine fills the silence as I wait outside the airport. My eyes flick between the arrival board and the rearview mirror, where I can see Naomi peacefully sleeping in her car seat. Her little chest rises and falls with each breath, her dark lashes fluttering against her cheeks. The sight of her never fails to soften something in me, a reminder of what really matters in this world.My phone buzzes, drawing my attention away from her. James’ name flashes on the screen. I answer, keeping my voice low to avoid waking Naomi.“What’s up, James?”“Hey, Cade. Got an update on the board situation.” There’s a pause, and I can almost see him running a hand through his black hair, a nervous tick he’s had since college. “But there’s something else you need to know.”I straighten in my seat, tension creeping into my shoulders. “Go on.”“The Feds have been sniffing around your father’s affairs.”The Feds? What the hell did he do now?My grip tightens on the steeri

The shrill of my phone cuts through the quiet of the afternoon, startling Naomi from her play. I glance at the screen, my heart sinking as I see Ava’s name flashing there. Just like it has every day for the past two weeks.I've been avoiding her calls, still raw from the revelation of her involvement in Cade's hypnosis. But today, something makes me pause. Maybe it's the weariness of carrying this anger, or maybe it's the tiny voice in my head reminding me of all the years of friendship we shared.Whatever it is, I find myself answering.“Hello?” My voice sounds strained even to my own ears.“Elys?” Ava’s voice is hesitant, hopeful. “I… I wasn’t sure you’d pick up.”I close my eyes, fighting the urge to hang up. “What do you want, Ava?”“I’m in town,” she says quickly, as if afraid I’ll cut her off. “I was hoping we could talk. Face to face.”Part of me wants to refuse, to shut her out completely. But another part, the part that remembers late-night study sessions and shared secrets,

The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room bore into my eyes, amplifying the throbbing in my head. The antiseptic smell burns my nostrils, a sickening reminder of where I am and why. My body aches, each movement sending sharp pains through my bruised ribs, but it's nothing compared to the agony in my heart as I wait for news about Naomi.The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor feels like it's drilling into my skull, matching the frantic pace of my own heartbeat. Cade sits beside me, his hand clasped tightly in mine, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin. But even his touch can't calm the storm raging inside me.“What if she doesn’t make it?” The words escape me in a choked whisper, giving voice to the fear that’s been gnawing at my insides. “Cade, what if our baby doesn’t—”“Don’t,” Cade cuts me off, his voice rough but steady. “She’s going to be fine. She has to be.”But I can’t stop myself from spiraling with dark thoughts. Images of Naomi, broken and bleeding, flas