6.35 % Chapter 9 " Evelyn ! " Matthew called her name again , his voice echoing through the empty house . He pulled out his phone and dialed her number , only to be met with a cold , automated voice , " The number you have dialed is currently unavailable ... " He hung up and dialed again and again . Each time brought the same result . He opened his messaging app and fired off a few texts , but there was no reply . Every message vanished into silence , as if she had ceased to exist . " Where did she go ... " he muttered , his breathing quickening . He called several mutual friends . The responses were all the same . [ I haven't heard from her . ] [ No , she didn't say anything . ] [ Did you two argue ? ] He brushed it off each time with vague excuses before hanging up in frustration . With no options left , he finally called his parents . The call connected , but it was Lila's soft voice that answered . " Matthew ? What's wrong ? " He hesitated before asking , " Where's my mom ? " " She went to the kitchen and left her phone here . " Lila paused . " Did you need something from her ? " " Evelyn's missing , " he said , his voice growing tight . " I wanted to ask if she contacted anyone in the family . " Lila let out a quiet sigh . Her voice dropped . " Matthew , she probably just got upset ... After what happened today , seeing you choose me and the baby , maybe she couldn't take it . She's probably hiding out somewhere . She always needs time to cool down , right ? " Matthew didn't answer . Chapter 9 7.14 % He clutched his phone , feeling a growing unease he couldn't explain . Logically , Lila was right maybe Evelyn was just being emotional . But something deep inside him whispered otherwise . - After hanging up , he stood in the middle of the living room . His eyes fell once again on the report she had left behind . The date was from a year ago - right around when Evelyn had " gotten pregnant . " His fingers trembled . A single , absurd thought pierced his mind . If the report was real ... then whose child was Kent ? He shook his head quickly , trying to force the thought away . No. Evelyn must have forged it . She had been acting strangely for weeks . She even staged that kidnapping - clearly , this was just another trick . But if she really planned to leave , why would she leave this behind ? A sharp ache pulsed at his temples . He exhaled slowly , trying to think rationally . Maybe she just needed space . She would come back tomorrow . Yes . That had to be it . He walked to the window and stared into the night , hands clenched at his sides . But all her things were gone . And her phone was off . This wasn't like her . If she truly left ... where would she go ? Matthew grabbed his car keys and decided to check the hospital and a few other places she frequented . Just as he reached the door , his phone buzzed . He snatched it up , hoping - praying - but it was a message from Lila . [ Matthew , Kent has a fever . Can you come over ? ] He stared at the screen , his brows furrowing . Finally , he typed a reply . [ On my way . ] Chapter 9 7.14 % E He stepped out and got into the car . As he drove out of their neighborhood , his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror , scanning the sidewalks , half - expecting to see a familiar figure standing there . But the mirror showed only empty streets and the dull glow of streetlamps . Matthew pressed the accelerator , but the unease inside him only grew heavier , following him like a shadow he couldn't shake . 4 D 11 1