Silence Reveals Hidden Answers’ by Michael Anderson novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Jennifer Marie.

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Jeremy is looking at Harvey like he’s the devil incarnate. Harvey, on the other hand, looks completely relaxed. I’m guessing it’s because Jeremy warned me earlier never to bring a guy over. As a brother, he probably can’t even fathom that I’m… getting nasty in the sheets.

Uh, imagine if he came in while we were still in the shower? I might not have a head on my shoulders right

now.

They’re locked in a silent staring contest when I get to my feet.

“This is Jeremy,” I say, but my brother’s expression is pure, ‘not okay.’ I quickly put a hand on his shoulder. “Um, one second.”

I rush him out of my room, past my little office, and into the sitting area.

“Tinka said you’d left!” I hiss the moment we’re out of earshot. “What are you doing here? And don’t even tell me you’re about to freak out because there’s a boy in my room. He’s… he’s my boyfriend. I am allowed to have a boyfriend. I am an adult, and that is what I’m doing. Plus, we were just eating. We weren’t doing anything we’re not supposed to be doing.”

Jeremy swipes a hand over his forehead like he’s the one in trouble.

“And… don’t tell me you haven’t moved out yet. I gave you two weeks, I need my space back-”

“Who… who is he?” Jeremy cuts me off, his voice is strained and his face is contorted like he just took a bullet to the chest.

“He’s Harvey. That’s his name.”

“Harvey.” Jeremy repeats the name, wiping his brow again with the back of his hand. Now I’m getting mixed signals. Is he about to charge back in there and throw a punch the man a punch, or is he just… completely short-circuiting at the idea of me with a man?

“Jeremy.” I say his name firmly.

He looks at me, startled, like he forgot I was standing there.

I hear footsteps and it’s Harvey coming out of the bedroom. I shoot Jeremy a warning look. Don’t you dare

ruin this.

“Jennifer’s brother…” Harvey extends a hand. “I’ve heard much about you.” He’s got that look on his face and it’s the one that says he’s choosing to be friendly. At least Harvey doesn’t seem to think Jeremy’s about to swing.

But Jeremy isn’t taking the handshake. He’s still staring at Harvey like he just crawled out of a grave.

“Jeremy, he’s asking to shake your hand. What is wrong with you?”

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Chapter 43

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“Yes. Jeremy.” My brother finally clears his throat and takes Harvey’s hand in a brief, stiff shake.

“I could have sworn I’ve seen you before.” Harvey says.

That jogs my memory. “Shoot! Talking about that, do you know someone called Reign-”

“What!?” Jeremy’s head snaps toward me.

“He’s someone I met in Italy, and he had a picture of you. He recognized me too.”

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“How do you know Reign Moretti?” Harvey asks, sliding into his pockets. His voice is calm, but his gaze is like glacial ice.

“Um… I’m not sure I know that name.” Jeremy stammers.

“Jeremy, he literally had a picture of you. You know him.”

“Think hard.” Harvey’s lip curve into a smirk that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Um.” Jeremy takes a step back. “I… I came to check if you’re going to see Dad.”

“See Dad? Why would I see Dad? Mom literally banned me from-”

“You are an adult, Jennifer!” Jeremy barks at me though his eyes are still locked on Harvey. “His store got burnt. He’s been in the hospital since because he suffered a heart attack.”

The moment I hear that, my heart doesn’t just sink. It destabilizes through the floor and shatters. I step right in front of Jeremy and force him to look at my face. Tears are already blurring my vision.

“What? What? What happened? Is he alright? How… how long has Dad been like that? What. Happened.”

“Some people came into his shop. Gangsters. They destroyed everything and burned it to the ground. He was unconscious when the medics found him. They called Mom because she’s still his emergency contact.”

I clutch

my chest and a small pained sound escapes me. “When did this happen? Is…is Dad gonna be okay?”

“It’s been two weeks, Jen. Since you left for Italy.”

“And nobody told me!?” I yell.

My dad’s been in the hospital for two weeks, and I was across the ocean!?

“Mom wanted you to focus on work because he was recovering. He wants to see you…. I was here to get you.” Jeremy says flatly,

I slap a hand over my eyes as the tears finally break free. A sob hitches in my throat. “Gangsters!” I squeal, it sounds absurd and terrifying. “Why would gangsters be around Dad? What about the cops? Did you file a report? What the hell does Dad have to do with gangsters? Did he owe them money? Why?”

Jeremy just shakes his head and offers me no answers.

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“I’m going to put on some clothes.” I turn, and Harvey is right there. He catches me on my arms as he sees my watery eyes.

“Should I go with you?”

“I can take her.” Jeremy says, rigidly. “I’ll get the car started. Meet me outside.”

I look back at Harvey. “I’ll be fine. My mom will be there. I’ll text you later.” I sniff before pulling away and running to my room to throw on jeans and a sweater.

Once we’re in Jeremy’s car, he stares ahead on the rearview mirror where Harvey is sliding into his low-slung sports car in the underground garage.

“What are you looking at? Can we go!?” I

He blinks, twists the key, and pulls out. The drive to St. Cleaves Hospital is a tense twenty-four minutes. I get out before he’s fully parked, rushing to the reception desk, but Jeremy catches my arm and steers me straight to the elevator since he already knows the room.

I can’t think. I don’t talk to my dad much, not since Mom made us keep our distance, hoping he’d choose sobriety over losing us. But this isn’t what I wanted. I love my dad. I still have memories of him teaching me to ride a bike, of him laughing before the drinking took over.

When Jeremy opens the hospital room door, I see Mom first, meticulously folding clothes with a deep frown. Then I see Dad. He pushes himself up in the bed. His face is pale but it lights up with a disbelief.

“Jennifer.” Mom comes to hug me, but I’m staring over her shoulder at Dad. “You look so tanned-”

“Dad, are you… okay?” I ask.

“I didn’t want you to see me like this.” His voice is raspy. He’s trying to look strong, clearing his throat and puffing out his chest, but the machines around him tell the real story. An oxygen cannula sits under his nose, wires snake from under his hospital gown to a beeping heart monitor, and an IV is taped to the back of his hand. Why would someone do this to him?

I don’t understand.

I let go of Mom and go to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders carefully, burying my face in his neck. He smells like antiseptic and the old spice cologne he’s always worn.

“Two weeks. No one told me,for two weeks.”

“Even if we told you, what would it have changed?” Mom hisses. The large diamond studs in her ears is a reminder that she’s moved on to a different life, one where his struggles are an inconvenience.

“I’m fine now. It was just shocking, my gummybear.” Dad chuckles weakly, using his old nickname for me. We have the same hazel eyes. The wrinkles on his forehead have deepened, and there’s a new gauntness to his

cheeks.

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The heart monitor beeps.

“How was Italy?” he asks, eager, like he’s desperate for a piece of normal, happy world.

“It was fun.” I whisper.

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“Hmm, and when were you going to tell us that you’re dating a Prescott?” Mom’s voice cuts in from behind

I blink, turning to face her. “We just started…”

“Harvey Prescott is his name. Owns a casino. He was on the Forbes list for biggest casino owner, but all that tells me is that he’s around women, drinks probably like your father did in the past, guns, and dangerous people, if I’m to be exact.” She folds her arms. “That young man looks like a gangster. What is wrong with you, Jennifer!”

“He was my best friend back in high school!” I defend Harvey.

“The one who used to escort you to the bus station?” Dad says, and I look at him, surprised. How does he know that? Mom and I left him to move in with my stepdad years ago…

“Dad used to wait until school closed to take a peek at you.” Jeremy says quietly from the corner. My mom rolls her eyes. Nothing impresses her.

“Yeah. That one.” I tell Dad and he chuckles.

“Back to what I was saying-” Mom starts.

“You’ll meet him, and you’ll see he’s not like that.” I insist, turning to my brother for backup. “Jeremy, you saw him. Wasn’t he… nice?”

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