Page 41 of Merciless

COLTON

Avery left town with a killer hangover and the promise to check in later. He was reluctant to part ways, but I knew he had to sort out his affairs.

It was strange to be without him, since we had been heavily reliant on one another through recent times. Avery’s sudden absence was stifling. I knew I didn’t want to linger on my own for long. Which was a good excuse to check in on my own business in town.

The first stop was Serenity Residential Care Home. As soon as I walked into the foyer, my steps grew lighter, the place filling me with a comforting warmth—it was one of only a few places that elicited that feeling.

“Morning, Mr Tems,” the receptionist said, giving up a welcoming smile. “She’s in the common room.” He finished, tipping his chin towards the corridor.

After some generic small talk, I made my way in that direction and found Annette sitting in her favourite spot. Her wheelchair was parked at a table in the corner, sidelining a large window, the sunshine beaming on a book in which she was engrossed.

As I neared, her gaze rose to mine, and a cheeky side smirk illuminated her face. “So, the prodigy returns, ladies and gentlemen.”

I bent down and pecked her cheek before settling in the chair opposite her. “Watch out, Annette. It almost sounds like you missed me.”

“You didn’t come to visit last month. I was worried,” she said, her features morphing in concern.

After my initial visit, Annette had made a lasting impression. Over the years, I had kept in contact, first indirectly and sporadically, not wanting to overstep—until she demanded to see me in person. Annette Chambers had since become a person I held dear, and subsequently became close friends with my grandmother, Eloise.

Annette remained as charismatic and blunt as ever. No matter her views on my actions or beliefs, she always made me feel accepted and redeemable, both qualities that I believed I’d lost.

“Where have you been, Colton?” she asked.

I pursed my lips. “Busy.”

“Mm. I can only imagine… Word travels fast around here. Should I congratulate you on the new house and car business?”

I shrugged. “If you want.”

We sized each other up. My satisfaction with everyone finding out about Nikita and William was short-lived as her beady eyes saw more than I was willing to give. But what tipped me over was the sympathy she couldn’t hold back. Stop it.

“You don’t have to look so doomy and gloomy. I came to see you. Tell me, how have you been?”

Annette brightened then, her voice dropping conspiratorially as she updated me on all the gossip over morning tea. The care home was already top-notch, but with my changes, she claimed the place had improved dramatically.

I trusted her word and accepted the appreciation. It was pleasant to know I had made an active difference, a nice contrast to benefiting someone’s life rather than tearing it down.

As conversation came to a lull, I took the opportunity to ask what I was never able to let go of.

“H-how is she?”

Annette knew who I was talking about. I asked after Charlotte every single visit, and every single time, she shut me down. I had the resources to chase after her daughter and find out for myself. But Charlotte didn’t deserve that.

I had held the same belief ever since I left her so long ago. Charlotte was everything good, everything decent life had to offer, and she didn’t need me bulldozing her world and contaminating her light with my darkness.

Charlotte deserved better than me. Always.

“I’ll give you the same answer I always do,” Annette said unapologetically. “She does not exist for you.” If only that were the truth.

“You know, one of these days, you’ll give in and answer me,” I teased.

“You may own this care home, Mr Tems. But you don’t own me. You’ll get an answer when I find you acceptable of one.”

“In other words, never.”

She shrugged. “Now, that’s entirely up to you, isn’t it?”

Like I said, never.