I hurriedly swiped at my face, clearing off my tears. I didn’t want to cry anymore.
“I think we’re going to be great business partners, Judge Stallard.” I heard more footsteps, and my heart hurt because it was thumping so hard. My hands shook as I wiped at my face again, and when I saw two new shoes pop into my vision, my eyes grew watery again.
“Say goodbye to Mr. Underwood, Gemma.”
My chin was wobbly. I could feel it wiggle. I looked up at two sky-blue eyes, but I didn’t say a word. I was too scared to cry again because that seemed to make Uncle Richard happy, and he just made my mama sad.
I didn’t like him anymore.
Not at all.
When my eyespopped back open, I gasped for air and immediately looked for him. Oh my God.
“Gem?” Isaiah was crouched down, resting the back of his legs on his ankles. “Talk to me.”
Another gasp came from my chest as my mouth gaped open. I sucked in air, coating the inside of my lungs, and locked onto those familiar blue eyes.
It couldn’t be.
“H...he...” No.
“Gemma!” My name was urgent as his hands came down and cupped my face, locking onto me.
“He...he was there.”
“Who was? Where?”
My lip quaked. “Your father. He was there. He was there the last night I saw my mom.”
The blood from Isaiah’s face drained, and that was when I felt it. That was when I felt the crack right down the middle of my chest.