~Resolute Hearts~

[Valerie]

I leave Dad’s office after he indicated for me to do so as Mom was getting agitated again. My heart is pounding in my chest after the extraordinary and hard-to-believe revelation that Elias had written in the notebook.

I somehow manage to reach my room on wobbly legs and close the door.

With shaky hands, I dial Clyde’s number. He picks up on the third ring, his voice filled with concern, “Hey, I was just about to call you. Is everything okay? How are you holding up?”

All the tension and adrenaline just bleed out of me with those soothing words. At the back of my mind, I realize what others meant when they said that when you find your soulmate, you will realize how much they mean to you and wonder how you ever managed to get anything done without them.

“Valerie?” My thoughts are halted by his voice. I realize how my thoughts had drifted elsewhere.

“Ah, I am… I am fine. I just… I spoke to my mom and Jade. I showed them something I found in Elias’ room,” I said slowly. I feel g