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Chapter forty three: Puzzle piece

It was late at night so to clear my mind I took a walk down the sidewalk. The weather had already drenched my jacket and jeans that I was wearing which made them skin tight against my body. I couldn't sleep, I kept tossing and turning and realised that I had so much pent up trauma that I never dealt with.

My dad for example, I never truly dug deep into that era of my life and instead wanted to remove that it ever happened. Maybe that is why I so easily attach myself to people who offer any affection.

Evan was someone who I will always love no matter what he does to me. He could do the same thing as my dad and I believe I would run into his arms again as toxic and messed up as that sounds. It was the sort of love that consumes you.

My phone began to buzz in my pocket so I gingerly unlocked it and saw that Julie was calling me which was very out of the blue for her- especially at three in the morning.

"Julie what's wrong?" I said with concern lathering my words.

"It's Evan- he is beaten up really badly and is in hospital and he needs us right now" Julie said in a panic with her voice cracking.

My eyes bulged from my head as the saliva dried in my mouth "o-okay I'll be straight over after I pack a bag. We will go see him" I affirmed

Ending the call I began to run as fast as I could towards home, when I got in I frantically grabbed items of loose clothing and shoved them in my duffel bag. "What's going on?" Henry said groggily as he wiped his sleepy eyes.

I clutched my hair into two big handfuls as my breathing increased into quick pants. "I-It's Evan he is seriously hurt. I need to go see him" I croaked. Henry sighed and pursed his lips but instead of yelling at me for being an idiot he instead wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my forehead.

"You do what you need to do Maeve. Get the closure you need. I'll take care of Ember when you're gone" Henry said as he wiped a salted tear from my face.

I shook my head "n-no I can't ask that of you"

Henry smiled warmly "you're mad if you think I'm letting Ember see her daddy all beat up with his priorities not in order. She will stay with me"

I licked my chapped lips and hugged him tightly "you're too good for me. Thank you so much. I love you"

Henry planted a kiss on my head and pulled away, his grip still on my cheeks. "I love you most. Just make sure to text me when you can. There is no rush but I would like to see how you're doing"

"I'll make sure to keep in contact, thank you again Henry.. truly" I breathed shakily. My hands now gripping the duffel bag as tight as I could from nerves; my knuckles turning white.

**

"W-we are here to see Evan Peters" I said to the receptionist at the hospital. "And what's your relationship with the patient ?"

"I'm his mother and this is his fiancé" Julie interjected with sternness. Impressed by her ability to lie so well they nodded their head in approval and began leading us down aimless amounts of white corridors.

"He is currently in a bad way so please don't get too worried. He is stable which is the main thing" a doctor informed with sad eyes "your son is very lucky Mrs Peters"

Julie's eyes began to pool "t-thank you doctor for saving my boy"

We then walked into Evan's room to see him laying peacefully, his mouth was parted from the deep sleep and if he wasn't covered in cuts and bruises you would think he was okay.

Evan's lip was badly split so they had to stitch it up, his eyes had dark rings around them from excessive punching. His nose was broken so they had to realign it and put a gauze on top, though there was still dried blood around the area.

"My- My sweet boy" Julie sobbed as she grabbed his hand and kissed it repeatedly.

The world had stopped spinning as I grabbed his other hand, the feeling of his skin reminded me of all our times together. My blood was boiling over who could do this to him; it made me feel utterly sick. "Julie.. where is Emma?"

Julie furrowed her eyebrows "what about Emma?"

"I mean, they are dating and have been now for about six weeks so I presumed she would be here" I answered back with a tilted expression. "Did Evan not tell you?"

Julie shook her head and frowned "Evan said he would never get back with her. He said he would rather die than be in the same room as her. I-I don't understand. Besides Evan told me what she was doing to him so no- Evan wouldn't do that"

My mind began to swirl with all different types of scenarios and then it felt like a puzzle piece; how could I be so stupid ?

"Julie I think Emma did this" I stated with my thumb going between my teeth. "It would all make sense- it has to be that"

Julie paled in colour and also came to the same realisation "Evan never left you Maeve.. he couldn't leave her"

Tears formed in my eyes for what felt like the millionth time, my tired body slumped to the floor as inaudible cries flowed from my mouth. "I-I am such an idiot. I wasn't there for him"

Julie shook her head and wrapped an arm around me "don't be silly darling, it's going to be okay" she then stroked my hair. "Not many would realise in that situation"

So this left one last question. Where was Emma and what was she up to?

I let out a deep breath and pulled away from Julie "let's concentrate on Evan and his recovery. We will all get through this.. I'm sure of it"

I felt like I had been disloyal to Evan. I was now dating Henry, we had slept together and done everything a normal couple does whilst he was getting beaten up by Emma.

I felt the lowest of all lows, I felt like a terrible human being. Why didn't I just trust him ?