The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 71

Petty sent Hans back to the set, then slipped right back into her regular work routine.

Breaking things off with Franco didn’t mean she was ready to let go of Adelaide. No matter what happened between her and Franco, Adelaide would always be her grandmother.

She guessed Adelaide’s test results should be ready by now, so she called Harris.

“Grandma’s results are all clear,” Harris told her. “Just a few things that are common for people her age, nothing serious.”

Petty double-checked. “Are you sure nothing got missed?”

She couldn’t shake her unease. Her grandmother’s symptoms reminded her too much of what she’d gone through herself.

Harris didn’t pick up on her real worry. “Older people’s bodies just don’t bounce back like before. It’s normal to have a few minor issues.”

Was she just worrying too much? Maybe.

After losing the baby, she’d become a bit obsessive. She still needed sleeping pills some nights. Otherwise, she’d lie awake, her mind running in circles.

Right before she was about to hang up, Harris hesitated. “Franco got hurt.”

Her grip on her phone tightened for a second. “Doesn’t he have Laura?” she replied, her voice cool.

She hung up right after that.

It had already been three days since that night.

Afterwards, Petty went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and stared at her blank expression in the mirror. She used her fingers to force a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Then she headed back to her desk to prep for tomorrow’s interview.

This one was about The White Group’s response to the recent factory explosion in the suburbs. She needed to cover what they were doing for residents and how they were handling fire safety going forward.

Laura wore simple clothes and no makeup, but her face was fair and her features were soft and striking. She looked like the kind of girl people called an artsy goddess.

“What do you want to drink?” Laura asked as soon as Petty sat down, flagging down the waiter.

Petty glanced up. “A latte, thanks.”

Laura smiled, and her tone was warm and familiar. “You’re still the same. You can’t handle black coffee. You always need milk. You used to say you couldn’t stand anything that bitter.”

Petty took a sip of her coffee. “There’s already enough bitterness in life. Why make your drink bitter too? If it doesn’t have to be hard, why force it?”

Laura nodded. “You’re right. There’s already enough bitterness in life.”

Her voice was soft, but her words carried a sting. “So, did you finally get tired of the bitterness in your marriage?”

Petty just smiled. “It wasn’t bitter. Just disgusting.”