Chapter 29: 29

Dona's POV

I couldn’t stop pacing when I went back upstairs. My room felt like it was closing in on me. I kept checking the clock every two minutes even though time wasn’t moving any faster. 1:47 a.m. 1:53. 2:06.

Mom’s shift was supposed to end at midnight and usually she’d be home by 12:30, maybe 12:45 if she stopped for gas or groceries. But two in the morning? No way.

I told myself to relax and stop thinking about the worst-case scenario. She probably stayed behind to help someone at the nursing home. Maybe there was a late patient, or her car broke down, or she was just tired and stopped for coffee. But my mind wasn’t buying it.

I dialed her number again and it went straight to voicemail.

“Hey, Mom, it’s me,” I said, pacing in small circles. “Just… call me back, okay? I’m getting worried.”

I hung up and tossed my phone on the bed, but not even five seconds later I grabbed it again and redialed. Same thing.

The house was dead quiet: it seemed that August had gone to bed himself. Every shadow looked suspicious, every sound made me jump. Even the refrigerator hum downstairs sounded eerie.

I thought about going to August’s room and the idea kept coming to me, no matter how hard I pushed it away. He was just a wall away. I could knock and tell him I couldn’t sleep, maybe pretend I wanted to talk about Piper. Anything to justify being there.

But pride was a hell of a thing and I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was scared. Not after that stupid kiss, and definitely not after the way he’d laughed like it was a joke. Didn't he feel what I felt?

I sat down on the edge of my bed, bouncing my leg and biting my thumbnail. The more I thought, the more my head was spinning in circles. What if something happened on the road? What if Mom had gotten into an accident and no one had called yet?

“No, no, stop.” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. “You’re being dramatic. She’s fine. She’s fine.”

I tried lying down and pulling the blanket up to my chin, but every time I closed my eyes, I’d picture flashing lights or my mom’s car crushed on the side of the road. I couldn’t take it anymore.

I got up again, walked to the window, and stared outside. The street was empty. The whole neighborhood was asleep, only that dull yellow glow from the streetlamps and a raccoon digging through someone’s trash can.

I checked the time again. 2:24 a.m.

“Where the hell are you, Mom?” I whispered.

It must’ve been close to three when I finally heard the faint sound of a car door shutting outside. My body moved before my brain did. I flew out of my room and down the stairs so fast that I nearly stumbled and missed a step.

The front door opened, and Mom was there. She was in her scrubs, and her hair was a little messy, looking tired but alive.

“Oh my God!” I breathed, and before I knew it, I’d wrapped my arms around her. She made a small startled noise.

“Whoa, hey!” she said, laughing awkwardly. “What’s going on?”

“You weren’t home!" I moaned against her shoulder. “I was calling you for hours, why didn’t you pick up?”

She pulled back, her eyebrows raised like she couldn’t believe I was the same daughter who normally rolled her eyes when she said be home early. “Dona, my car broke down halfway from the hospital and I had to wait for a ride. One of the nurses dropped me off.”

I exhaled in relief. “You should’ve called me. I thought... that the guy who... our kitchen...”

“Hey, hey,” she murmured softly, putting a hand on my cheek. “I’m fine, baby. See? I’m here. In one piece.”

I nodded, but I still couldn’t let go of her. She hugged me again, like she realized I wasn’t joking around.

Then she leaned back and squinted at me. “What’s gotten into you tonight?”

I let out a weak laugh. “I don’t know. I guess I just freaked out when you didn’t come home.”

“Well, I appreciate the love,” she said, still looking a little thrown off. “Are you sure everything else is okay? You look pale.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.” I lied.

She glanced toward the staircase. “And August? Is he home too?”

“Yeah,” I said. “He’s… fine.”

“Good. At least you two didn’t burn down the kitchen again.”

I tried to laugh, but it came out awkward and terrified.

Mom sighed and slipped off her shoes, stretching her feet. “I swear, this week has been endless. Between the night shifts and all this drama with Peter, I just need one quiet day.”

I hesitated. “You still haven’t heard from him?”

Her face changed a little, and she looked sad. “No. I mean, he left this evening, right? And honestly, I’m not looking for him. If he wants to crawl back after he has sorted out whatever he's doing with his shady friends, that’s on him.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I get it.”

She reached out, brushing some hair from my face. “Don’t worry about adult problems, okay? You just focus on staying safe and out of trouble.”

“Too late for that,” I muttered under my breath.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

She smiled faintly, kissed my forehead, and said, “Alright, Miss Night Owl. Go and get some sleep. I’ll shower and head to bed soon.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Mom.”

“Goodnight, baby.”

I watched her walk upstairs, one hand dragging tiredly along the railing. When she disappeared around the corner, the house fell quiet again.

I wanted to believe things would settle down soon. That Peter would stay gone, Russell would back off, Piper would get better and August would stop… whatever he was doing to my head.

But deep down, I knew better.

I climbed the stairs slowly. When I passed August’s door, I hesitated. The light under it was still on. For a second, I almost knocked. I almost wanted to say something like, She’s home. Everything’s fine. But I didn’t.

Instead, I walked back to my room and shut the door softly behind me. I crawled into bed, still wearing my hoodie, and lay there staring at the ceiling.

I told myself what I always did when I couldn’t sleep: It’s fine, Dona. Just close your eyes. Tomorrow will make more sense.