Emmett's POV
She still wasn't answering her texts. Neither was Daphne. No one was talking to me. Even my mom was mad at me. She had let me come back home, but she wasn't talking to me. She had really taken to Bay, and loved her grandchild.
When I drove by their house before school, Bay's car wasn't there. Maybe she was dropping off her work at the school, now that I wasn't a go between anymore.
When I got to Carlton, though, there was still no sign of her. I didn't know what else to do, and made my way to class. I took my seat, though I wasn't able to pay attention.
I didn't like the look on John's face. He looked... I wasn't sure. But I did know it wasn't good. Kathryn was silent, staring down at some papers in her hand. When she looked at me, though, she was angry. Angrier than I think I'd ever seen her.
She shoved the papers at me, and I looked down. I saw myself, but more importantly, I saw Simone. Her arms were wrapped around my neck, and the picture was taken at such an angle that you couldn't see what I was doing. My hands could be anywhere.
It felt like I had blinked and class was over. I made my way out of the room and caught a glimpse of Daphne. I ran to catch up with her, and when she saw me, she turned away. She got to her class before I got to her. I tried to follow her, but the teacher stopped me, eyebrows raised. I would have to try again later. I made my way to my class.
"What is this?" She jabbed at the paper in her hand.
I frowned slightly. 'What do you mean?'
I didn't see Daphne again that day. She managed to keep away from me.
When school ended, I went by their house again. Just like this morning, her car was gone. Worry started to gnaw at me.
I got home, and Mom sat on the couch, looking down at her phone, frowning slightly.
I went to her and lightly tapped her arm to get her attention. 'What's wrong?'
She looked up, and looked more tired than anything else. 'What happened? You two were doing so well. Why did you do it?'
'I didn't.'
She shoved the picture at me, and I felt my heart drop. Simone's arms were around my neck, and the picture was angled that you couldn't see much of me. My hands were hidden, they could be anywhere. My face was turned away, but there was enough of it to know it was still me.
'She kissed me. I pushed her away. I wouldn't put me and Bay on the line again.'
She nodded slightly and looked at her phone again. I had no idea if she believed me or not. Finally she looked up. 'Bay's missing.'
My heart stopped. 'What?'
'Bay took off a few days ago. She left her phone at home, she took out money at an ATM, we can't track her. No one can find her.'
'Why didn't anyone tell me before?'
'We thought she would be home after a day or two. There was no need for you to get worried. But it's been a few days, and Regina wanted to know if there was anywhere you could think of that she would be?'
'No. She hasn't contacted anyone at all? They've checked hospitals, right?'
'Yes. They have. She's not there. She took a bag with her, so it can't be that bad.'
'Not that bad? She's missing. She's 32 weeks pregnant! I need to find her.'
I dropped my bag and went back outside, getting into the car.
I looked up from the picture.
"My daughter is pregnant with your child. How could you do this?"
'Let me explain-'
"No. You're out of chances. Get out."
...
I don't think anyone else was at the park. I had searched all over town, all of her favorite places, and I couldn't find her anywhere. My last hope was that I would catch her here. She liked to come and sit, talking to the baby.
I had searched all weekend, and I was still empty handed. I had been sitting here for hours. I couldn't waste anymore time. I had to go talk to the last person I wanted to see.
It didn't take long to get to the baby store. I sat in my car, just staring at it, part of me hoping that she wasn't inside. I got out of the car and slowly made my way inside. Sure enough, though, there she stood.
Panic filled me. 'No, please, it's not what it-'
"Out! Get out! I never want to see you around here again. I can't believe you would do this to her twice."
She herded me to the door, slamming it in my face.
I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message, showing it to her. 'Why did you do it?'
She sighed slightly and looked down. After a moment, she reached for a phone and dialed something. I missed what she said, but soon after someone else came. She stepped away from the counter and motioned me to follow her. Though I didn't want to, I had a feeling it was the only way she was going to talk.
She led the way outside, out to what I assumed was her car. She leaned against the door and turned to me. "I didn't want to."
'Then why do it?'
"Ok, look." She unlocked her car and went through the glove box, pulling out a small piece of paper. She handed it to me. "It's a check. Kennish gave it to me this one time Bay was shopping. He wanted me to break you two up. Said if I kissed you, I'd get more. I didn't cash it because I hadn't broken you guys up, and... now it just feels wrong. I'm strapped for cash, alright? It would have helped a lot, but... I'm sorry. I don't want the money. I'll leave you two alone."
I looked down at the check in my hand. A check for $2,000, signed by John Kennish.
Proof. She had given me proof.
'Thank you.'
She nodded and turned her head. I looked, and saw an elderly man saying something. I'm guessing her boss. He looked kind of familiar. Not like I had met him before, but more that he reminded me of someone.
My eyes widened slightly and I ran to my car, check in hand. I knew where she was.
John was staring at me through the glass, and I finally figured out the look in his eyes.
Triumph.