59|Balls Of Steel

They didn't say a word to each other on their way to Sea Point.

While Austin typed away on his laptop and caught up on work, Marybeth got on the phone with the principal.

Smith sounded unimpressed, but she agreed to contact the social worker assigned to Adeline's case.

"I'll call you back soon with an update," she said and hung up.

Marybeth wasn't holding her breath to hear back from her. If the case was reported months ago, and the social worker still hadn't followed up, there was zero chance she'd drive to Sea Point after hours on a rainy Tuesday night.

Sighing, Marybeth placed her phone on her lap and watched the sleek sheet of water slide down her window, comforted by the gentle pit-patter of the raindrops falling on the roof of the car.

Her mind was a constant war zone, an endless loop of chaotic thoughts bouncing between her worry for Adeline and her anger at Austin.

She should have known their truce wouldn't last. But when he confided in her about his brother, the fool she was