Page 146 of Carrying Your Lies
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Xavier
3monthslater.
Despite all the money I’ve donated towards the care home, it still has a robust medicinal scent. You’d think they would spend a few pounds from the thousands to buy air fresheners. I leave the box of freshly baked cookies at the nurses’ station before walking to her room.
I knock but don’t wait for her to welcome me in. Even after three months, Savannah hasn’t spoken a single word. Not to me, her visitors or the professionals that tend to her twenty-four-seven.
As expected, she is sat on her bed with her knees tucked under her chin. Her hair falls to the front, covering most of her face. Her frame has become thin and frail from the lack of food and movement.
“How are you today, Savannah?” I ask, knowing I won’t get an answer. “Your mum is doing well. I’ve made good progress with her. She lets me sit in her room with her. She asked about you, and I had to lie and tell her you were doing well.”
Silence.
“Elise had her first tooth come in, and she does the most adorable bear crawl. I think she’ll be walking in a few months. Maybe when you’re better and safe to be around, she can join me for a visit. What do you think?”
Her head stays bowed as she fiddles with a stray thread on her throwover.
I take a seat on the bed in front of her. “You need to do better than this, Savannah. You need to prove to me you’re going to do better.” I sigh. “I didn’t want to tell you this because I’m worried about what it will do to your mental state, but your mum’s cancer has progressed to stage four. I’m ensuring she gets the best care possible, but it’s not looking good.”
Nothing.
I don’t wantthisSavannah. I want my Savannah back, but she seems to be long gone.
I lean forward and place a kiss on the top of her head. “It’s Ray’s birthday today. He said he’ll come and see you later. I love you, Savannah. All you need to do is prove you’ve changed, and all this will go away.”
I hesitate in the doorway when I hear a sniffle. When I look back at her, the light catches a single tear as it strolls down her cheek. Closing the door behind me, I approach the main doors.
“Mr Rivers! How are you?”
“Mr Roberts! I’m well, thank you. How are you?”
He gives an exasperated look. “Our patients keep us busy. Did you make any progress with Savannah?”
I shake my head. “Unfortunately not, but she’s in the best hands with your staff.”
The proud look on his face is sickening. “And thanks to you, we have the best security.”
The stupid man doesn’t question the chances of me offering security cameras at a low rate and then having someone I know placed in the same home. He simply proves that money turns eyes blind. In this situation, it works in my favour.
“Very true. You’ll let me know if you have any issues?”
He nods and bids me farewell.
The past three months have been a massive learning curve now that I’m a single father. I’ve had to change my entire life for the little girl – but she’s worth it. She will grow up to be perfect, unlike the rest of them.
Elise changed me for the better. I don’t need a queen to protect me. The queen only ever brought me a mess to clean. I am much more powerful on my own, and the board is mine to control. All the pieces are where they belong, and nobody is looking for the ones that got lost along the way.
One day, Elise will ask me about her mother. Perhaps Savannah will be well enough to be part of our lives. Until then, I’ll keep an eye on her.
In the safe confines of my office, I log into my account and load the live feed.
Savannah hasn’t moved from the spot I left her in. I touch the screen and close my eyes, imagining I can feel her soft skin. She might hate me right now, but hatred is born out of love. I won her love in the first match and will win it again.
Until then…
Checkmate.
