James drove straight to the hotel. He was worried. The roads of Texas stretched before him, but he barely noticed the traffic or the red lights. All he could think about was Emily. Why was she in a hotel? Why didn’t she stay with her parents or friends? Why had she disappeared without a word? The diary told part of the truth, but James felt there was more. At last, he pulled up at the hotel she had mentioned. He rushed to the reception desk and asked for her room number. The receptionist gave it, and he ran to the elevator, his heart pressing against his chest with fear. When he reached her door, he knocked. No answer. He knocked again, louder this time. Still silence. Something was wrong. He turned the handle. To his surprise, the door was unlocked. Slowly, he pushed it open, and the sight before him almost froze his blood. Emily was lying on the floor, motionless. Around her were bottles—empty bottles of alcohol, scattered everywhere. The air was filled with the sour smell of drink. ...
Lily finally gathered herself and returned to John. With shaky steps and a heavy heart, she told him that Mekus had once again rejected her. She pleaded with John to fulfill his promise of going with her to speak to Mekus. John agreed, though he was disappointed at how everything had turned out. On the agreed day, they both went to Mekus’s house. Lily’s heart pounded all through the journey. She hoped this would be her last chance to make things right. Mekus welcomed them politely, but he was not smiling. John began speaking slowly, his voice steady and clear. He said, “Mekus, I know this may feel strange, but I came here to tell you the truth. I have nothing to gain by standing here today. I only want peace. Lily has made many mistakes, and I do not support what she did, but I must tell you the truth as a man. This pregnancy belongs to you.” He looked directly into Mekus’s eyes. Lily kept her head low, ashamed of everything that had happened. Mekus folded his arms and listened, saying...