Chapter 3 Harper talks

Jace and Jade stared at the twisted doorknob, their expressions mirroring the same horrifying realization.

"Mara," Jade whispered, almost choking on her words.

"Jade? Are you in there?" a voice called again.

Jace quickly shoved Harper into Jade's arms so fast that Jade barely caught her, then dashed into his room and slammed the door shut. The lock clicked violently behind him.

Jade swallowed hard, forcing her breathing to steady as she watched the knob turn.

The door swung open.

"Mara," Jade breathed, forcing a smile even though she still looked like someone who had seen the dead.

But Mara didn't notice. Her eyes were already glued to Harper.

"Harper!" she squealed, snatching the baby from Jade's arms and raining kisses on her face, rubbing her face against the baby's cheeks dramatically. "Oh my sweet girl, aunty missed you so much! Hope mama has been treating you well...huh?"

Harper giggled loudly, waving her tiny hands in the air.

Jade, who felt like she had just survived a building collapse, stood frozen. She stuttered out, "Hi... hi, Mara... good morning."

"Oh, Jade, I'm so sorry for not coming again the other day, my car has been bad. I finally got it fixed this morning and drove straight here! I needed to see my favorite girls."

"It's okay... hope you've fixed it?" Jade managed, clutching the empty space where Harper had been.

"Yes... I think I just need to save up to get a new one soon. But right now, I need something to eat," Mara announced, setting Harper down carefully on the living room floor before turning and stepping toward the kitchen.

She marched toward the kitchen...

And stopped dead in her track...

"What the bloody fuck, Jade?! What happened here?"

The faint smoke residue was still all over the kitchen, The opened windows and the pan soaking in the sink. She forced a laugh.

"It's nothing. Just... kitchen accident."

"Really? What sort of accident?" Mara gave her a long, suspicious look. She rolled up her sleeves and started opening cupboards like she lived there.

"Oh my God, Mara, it was so stupid," Jade rushed to explain, forcing a shaky laugh. "I was making breakfast.. fried eggs and I forgot a pot of oil on the back burner. I was distracted for just a second playing with Harper and it flared up. But thank goodness Jac.." then she quickly stopped herself from saying too much.

Mara who didn't get the last part, shaked her head. "You nearly burned the building down for fried eggs! Okay, well, let's get some real food going. I'm going to make us my famous mac and cheese!"

"Yeah, thank God," Jade whispered, rubbing her forehead.

And just like that, the tension seemed to dissipate into the normalcy of Mara's presence. Who was moving like the whole apartment belonged to her. She cooked loudly, talked loudly, and laughed loudly.

Soon, she turned on the music, singing off-key, and filling the air with the comforting smell of butter, cheese, and garlic.

Harper squealed as Mara danced around with her, making silly animal sounds and jokes. The baby laughed so hard that she snorted, and Mara swooned dramatically.

Over lunch, which Mara insisted they eat right there on the living room floor, as the conversation flowed easily, just like old times.

"Jade, I am so excited for Christmas," Mara said, scooping a large fork of mac and cheese. "It's the only thing keeping me sane right now."

Jade nodded without saying a word.

Mara's smile faded slowly. "Honestly, though, I'm dreading the family party. Since last year's own,it now gets harder." She poked at her pasta.

Mara set the spoon down. "can I tell you something depressing?"

Jade blinked. "Sure."

"My husband cheated on me."

Jade's stomach sank. "Mara... I'm so sorry."

Mara laughed, but her eyes glistened. "Yeah. It's awful. And guess what? I still can't let go... Our entire friend group knew. All of them. Acting like they loved me while knowing he was messing around with someone else. I swear, I hate them all."

Jade touched her shoulder gently. "You didn't deserve that. and it sad that the friendship group broke off."

"I'm surviving," Mara sighed. "It's just... the marriage, the cheating, the betrayal... it just makes the rest of the friend group so weird. Everyone is choosing sides. And it's affecting my relationship with my family. It's all just so dead right now."

"Mara, I'm so sorry," Jade said genuinely, reaching across to squeeze her friend's hand. "That's awful. But still, you've me and Harper so you'll be fine."

"And..." Mara's voice broke a little, "I miss my brother. Jace always handled things. He always had solutions. I hate not knowing where he is. Nobody does. Jade... I'm scared something's wrong."

Jade's heart lurched. "You didn't check his apartment?" Jade asked, pretending to sound casual.

"We did. Mom and Dad went over there, but his apartment is having some major piping replaced, so it's under renovation. We don't know where he went after that, and he isn't taking anyone's call... not even Mom's. He just sends these cryptic texts saying he's fine and out of range. But I think he's just avoiding us."

Jade swallowed hard. "Maybe he just needs alone time."

"I hope so," Mara breathed, eyes on Harper. "I really hope so Jade."

The afternoon flew by quickly... Mara still energized by the food and the company, played continued to every silly game she knew with Harper. Then she unpacked a pile of Christmas gifts she'd bought for Harper... toys, dresses, even a tiny Santa romper.

Then Mara stretched, yawning loudly. "I think I'll just sleep over. I'll use the second room."

Jade's entire soul left her body.

"Um... no!" she nearly shouted. "You can't. I... I booked fumigation for tomorrow morning.Early. They need that room to be empty."

Mara blinked. "Really? That's sad... Was thinking we can just order pizza and watch terrible Christmas movies, like old times."

"Yes, and that's sweet... but " Jade lied again without hesitation. "You'll be uncomfortable."

Mara reluctantly gathered her things, gave Harper a final, lingering kiss, and walked toward the door. "I wish I could take this little nugget with me, but I know you'd miss her too much!"

"More than anything," Jade agreed, walking her to the door.

The door clicked shut.

And guilt hit Jade like a punch.

She exhaled slowly, pressed her forehead to the door, then gathered herself and walked to Jace's room. She knocked softly.

"She's gone," Jade whispered.

When she heard no response, she went back to the living room to gather Harper, who was still happily batting at a toy Mara had given her. It was time to retreat to their prison.

As Jade bent down to lift the baby, the lock on Jace's door twisted, and the door creaked open.

Jace stood there, still in the same clothes, but he looked tired with his eyes dark, but there was a strange, subtle shift in his demeanor.

And then his voice came...

"You can let her play."

Jade froze

"You don't have to lock yourselves in there," he added. "Just make sure to keep an eye on her not to mess things up."

He walked past her, headed toward the kitchen, for another glass of water.

Jade stared at the kitchen door for a long second... then slowly set Harper down. Harper squealed happily and crawled toward her toys.

Soon, Jace emerged from the kitchen with a glass of water in his hand.

"Jade," he called.

She lifted her chin. "What?"

He hesitated... the first real hesitation she'd seen from him since he moved in.

"It must have really been had lying to your best friend..."

Jace met her eyes, something dark and unguarded flickering there.

"So sorry for dragging you into this."

"Jace... just call your mum," Jade sighed. "Please."

"I will. but not yet"

"Why? Why are you hiding?"

Jace's jaw tightened. "Miss Jade, don't forget rule number four: do not poke nose in each other's business."

Before jade could answer, Harper suddenly gasped sharply...

Jade turned instantly.

"Harper?"

But Harper wasn't looking at her. She was staring at Jace and pointing at him...

Her tiny voice whispered....

"Da-"