Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Summer
The TV screen flickered, illuminating my living room in the dim light of the evening, but I wasn’t really watching it anymore.
I was frozen, my heart pounding, my fingers gripping the throw pillow like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.
The words that had just come out of Malcolm Sinclair’s mouth echoed in my head, refusing to fade.
"She’s always been special to me."
I felt my soul leave my body.
"He did NOT just do that," I whispered, my voice hoarse, completely horrified.
Next to me, Olivia sat way too comfortably, her legs tucked under her as she munched on popcorn, grinning at the TV like she was watching a blockbuster premiere. "Oh, he absolutely did. And he looked good doing it."
I whipped my head toward her, my mouth hanging open. "Are you insane? Did we just watch the same interview?"
She nodded enthusiastically, popping another piece of popcorn into her mouth. "Mhm. And honestly? I don’t know why you’re freaking out. He didn’t even say anything bad."
I shot up from the couch, running both hands through my hair, pacing like a lunatic. "He just let the entire world think we’re together!"
Olivia shrugged, completely unfazed. "Well… aren’t you?"
I gawked at her, picking up the nearest throw pillow and hurling it at her head. She dodged effortlessly, laughing like this was the most fun she’d had all week.
"You think this is funny?" I demanded, my voice rising an octave. "The entire world now thinks I’m Malcolm Sinclair’s mystery girlfriend. People are probably digging into my life, my job, my past. Do you know what kind of chaos this is going to bring?"
Olivia smirked. "I mean… the internet does love a good love story."
"It’s NOT a love story!"
"Tell that to the headlines."
I groaned dramatically, throwing myself back onto the couch, pressing a hand over my face. My phone was still buzzing from notifications, the little flashes lighting up the room every few seconds, mocking me.
"Okay, but let’s be real," Olivia said after a moment. "You’re not just freaking out about the media thing. You’re freaking out because it’s him."
I went still.
She nudged my knee with her foot. "It’s Malcolm. And you don’t know what to do with that."
I lifted my hand just enough to glare at her. "Olivia. If you want to continue being my best friend, I strongly suggest you stop analyzing me."
She grinned. "So you admit I’m right?"
I groaned louder, rolling onto my side. "I hate you."
"No, babe. You hate how much you actually like him."
I screamed into the pillow.
Then, before I could come up with another defense, my phone rang loudly, making me jolt upright.
The name flashing across the screen wasn’t Malcolm. It wasn’t anyone from the media.
It was the foster home.
My stomach dropped.
"Who is it?" Olivia asked, her teasing mood disappearing immediately when she saw my expression.
I hesitated, then answered, pressing the phone to my ear. "Hello?"
"Miss Adkins?" The voice on the other end was familiar, calm, but laced with something careful.
I sat up straighter. "Carrie?"
Carrie, the director of Ridgeview Foster Home, let out a breath. "I wanted to give you a call personally. There’s been… a development."
My chest tightened. "What kind of development?"
There was a slight pause. Then?—
"We received an adoption request for Jake."
My entire world stopped.
I forgot how to breathe.
Forgot how to move.
The words rang in my ears, refusing to register.
"Summer?" Olivia’s voice was soft, cautious now.
I didn’t respond. Couldn’t. Because this wasn’t happening.
Jake. Adopted.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. "Who?"
Carrie sighed. "I can’t disclose details over the phone just yet, but it’s someone who submitted an official request today. We’re reviewing it now."
I felt lightheaded. "You’re serious?"
"We’ll need to start the process soon if it moves forward."
My fingers clenched around the phone. My chest felt tight, suffocating.
This… was good.
This was what I wanted for him.
A family. A chance at something better.
But then, why did it feel like someone had just ripped a hole in my heart?
I exhaled shakily. "And Jake… does he know?"
Carrie hesitated. "Not yet. We wanted to assess everything before bringing it up to him."
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. "Okay."
"Summer." Her voice softened. "I know this is hard. But we both knew this was a possibility."
I pressed my lips together. "Yeah," I whispered.
The call ended.
I slowly lowered my phone onto my lap, my hands shaking.
"Summer?" Olivia’s voice was gentle, her gaze filled with concern now.
I let out a slow, shaky breath, blinking hard.
"He might be getting adopted," I whispered.
She frowned slightly. "Jake?"
I nodded.
And then, to my absolute horror, my vision blurred.
Olivia immediately sat up, placing a hand on my knee. "Hey… Summer, that’s good, right? That’s what he needs. A home."
I let out a hollow laugh. "Yeah." My voice cracked. "Yeah, it’s great."
She was quiet for a moment. Then, carefully, she asked, "But?"
I hated how well she knew me.
"But," I whispered, my throat closing up, "why does it feel exactly like when Malcolm got adopted?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
The realization hit me at the same time.
That’s what this was. That’s why it hurt so much.
Because I had been here before.
Ten years ago, I had watched Malcolm walk away. Watched him leave this town, this foster system, me. And even though I had been happy for him, had told myself it was what he needed, it had hurt.
And now, it was happening again.
Olivia’s eyes softened. "Oh, Summer."
I wiped at my face frustratedly, forcing out a laugh. "God, I’m so stupid."
"You’re not stupid," she said firmly.
I shook my head. "I got attached. Again. I told myself I wouldn’t, but I did. And now—" My voice broke completely.
Olivia didn’t say anything.
She just pulled me into a hug.