The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 259

Petty’s legs felt like jelly, barely her own, but she pushed herself to run, desperate to catch up to Hans. The moment the gurney disappeared into the emergency room and those heavy doors slammed shut, every bit of her strength left her. She crumpled to the floor, palms pressed against the cold tile, barely able to breathe.

Every second crawled by. Petty had never felt time move so painfully slow.

Behind her, footsteps echoed. Someone spoke in a steady, commanding voice. “Help Petty up.” Two bodyguards moved in immediately, lifting her by the arms and setting her gently down onto a chair.

Still dazed, Petty glanced up and locked eyes with the man standing tall in front of the emergency room. His features were sharp and imposing, his presence impossible to ignore. Parrish.

The Green family had unraveled just two days ago. Hans had rarely been home, but he always put everything he had into his family. He never dreamed his own uncle would betray him, trying to snatch away his shares and everything he’d worked for. Hans brushed off what happened with only a few words, but Petty had seen the bandage wrapped around his neck and could imagine how close he’d come to real danger.

The only reason Hans had managed to escape that day was because Parrish—his older brother—had been ten steps ahead. Even though Parrish was supposed to be overseas for business, he had secretly arranged for people to watch their uncle and outmaneuvered the betrayal at the last second. When things hit the fan, Parrish flew back to Cabinda that very day and took charge of the family. As soon as he heard Hans was in trouble, he rushed over without a thought.

***

At the police station, inside a stark interrogation room, a woman sat slumped at a metal table, her hair a tangled mess, her hands cuffed tight in front of her. Her expression was empty, defeated.

A detective set a video in front of her, pausing on a grainy shot. “Early morning on Lunar New Year’s Day at the farmer’s market—this woman here, is that you?”

She lifted her head, just a little. “That’s me.”

“Do you know Susan?”

Her voice scraped out, rough. “Yeah. I met her over a year ago, when I worked at Misty Vale.”

The two officers exchanged a quick look.

“What about the drunk guy? Was he working with you?”

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