Chapter 21 I answered the call * Louisa … I sounded sheepish , even to myself . ] I could ghost Rhys with no regrets , but Louisa was a different story . She'd always treated me like family - sometimes more than my actual family did and I couldn't bring myself to be cruel to her . If she was calling now , she probably already knew about the split . Either Rhys had miraculously grown a pair and told her , or he'd been his usual cowardly self and she'd sensed something was off . " Mira . " She cleared her throat like she was bracing herself . I know Rhys has been a complete idiot , but you've been engaged for t years . The wedding's next month , sweetheart . This isn't the time to throw a tantrum . " So he did tell her . Colour me shocked . Or maybe Catherine was the one who pushed him into it , like she did with everything else . Two I didn't want to upset Louisa . I really didn't . But there were some hills a girl had to die on , and this particular hill had no to marrying a man who drools over his ex ' spray - painted all over it . [ ] Louisa , I think you already know what went down between Rhys and Catherine . ' I said , voice as even as I could manage . They're perfect for each other . Honestly . He's always had a thing for her . It's best to let them get on with it . " Mira , don't be like this . I know you love Rhys , " Her voice was soft , almost pleading . Til give him a proper talking to , get him to end things with with that woman . Sweetie , I know you're hurting- That cracked something in me . Just a little . I swallowed hard , eyes sunging . I'd been braced for Louisa to tear me a new one - for ruining the Granger name , for embarrassing Rhys in front of Skyline City's upper crust for not playing my part as the dutiful almost - daughter - in - law . But instead of going full Cruella , she'd said I was hurting . That she understood . And somehow , that made it worse . [ ] I let out a long , tired sigh This wasn't our first breakup rodeo . Back in the day , whenever Rhys and I hit a rough patch , Louisa would swoop in with homemade cookies and guilt - trips , and I'd melt faster than ice cream at a barbecue . I couldn't ever stay mad when she looked at me like I was already part of the family . And maybe that's what made me stick it out with Rhys for so long , I wasn't just trying to make it work with him - 1 was trying to honour her . But this time , I'd had enough of bending backwards just to keep everyone else comfortable . " Louisa , this isn't some one off , ' I said , voice steady even though my heart felt like it was chewing itself apart . ' Rhys never really let go of Catherine . Not then , and not now . It's only gotten worse . I'm done pretending I'm okay with it . There was a pause Then her voice came back , thinner , raspler . [ ] ' Marriage isn't some joke , Mira . I've always seen you as my daughter in law . I mean that . I'll talk to Rhys . I will . I'll make sure he cuts ith that woman . Please , darling , just give him one more chance . Even if it's just for me . " ] } I could visualise her through the phone - perched on her white leather sofa , the IKEA ' , hair in its usual glossy helmet , pleading like her entire life hinged on this conversation . one she jokingly claimed was Italian but so but secretly from And for a second , I wobbled . ] Just a little . Then I looked up The apartment was full of half - packed boxes . My jewellery tools were stuffed into a cardboard wine case , and my coat was still hanging off the door like it hadn't decided whether to stay or bolL I remembered exactly why I was moving . I remembered my mother threatening Yvaine's family business just to shove me into a forced engagement , while treating Catherine like the second coming of Beyoncé . And suddenly , I wasn't wobbly anymore . [ ] If I ved now , I'd lose every shred of self respect I had left / I mean it this time , Louisa , ' I said slowly , each word deliberate . This isn't a tantrum . It's not a bluff . I'm not marrying Rhys , I'm sorry ' ] There re was a sharp intake of breath on the other end . But - but you and Rhys were fine just a few weeks ago . What happened ? Are you seriously calling off the wedding ? Her voice was shaking . Tve made up my mind . I'm not doing this out of spite , Louisa , It's not a phase . I'm done . ' Mirabelle !" she cried , as if saying my full name would magically change my mind . I can't accept - 1 BANG . A deafening crash burst through the phone speaker . I heard metal screaming against metal , the sound of everything going sideways in a split second . [ ] " Louisa ?! What the hell - Louisa ?! I gripped my phone so hard my hand went numb . There was more chaos - shouting , screeching , static - then the call cut out My stomach did a nosedive into my boots . Louisa ? I called again , voice shaking Nothing e was dead The line I redialled Lausa - no answer . Tried Rhys - nothing . Even called Clive Granger , Louisa's husband - voicemail [ ] The silence on the other end wasn't just eerie . It was wrong . Really bloody wrong Heart thudding like a drumline on Red Bull , I grabbed my bag and phone and bolted Smashed my phone against the doorframe on the way out - cue a loud " shit " -then managed to drop my purse on top of it . " Damn it ! 1 crouched down to scoop everything up , hands shaking like Td just downed five espressos The call had ended way too suddenly , too violently . That crash - it didn't sound like bad signal or a phone dropped on the floor . Was Louisa hur ? Was anyone with her ? Had someone called emergency services ? ] hrain spun itself into a meltdown spiral while I tried - and failed - to shove my lip gloss , keys , and everything else back into my I was so caught up in my internal catastrophe I didn't notice the lift ding or the footsteps approaching [ Not until someone knelt in front of me and placed steady hands on my trembling shoulders . " WHAT'S WTI