The Broken Pieces novel Chapter 43

Martial Status: Engaged (Emily Rose Shivers)

I instantly paused in my search.

What the fuck?

I read the martial status repeatedly before finally coming to the ultimate conclusion.

Emily's marrying Peter Pan?! And he's a wanted criminal.

A cluster of emotions hit me; anger, frustration and guilt.

"Buddy, you okay?" Jason leaned forward and peered at the page I was on before pointing to Emily's name. "I think you told me about that girl once. And look she's getting married to... oh, shit."

He studied me for a second, "Parker, this isn't going to end well for her."

I nodded, "I know,"

He paused, a pensive thought on his mind, "Are we taking the case?"

I took a deep breath before deciding what I'm going to do.

"Yes." I answer.

Emily Rose

I stared at men as they told their stories.

I stayed silent as I heard each of them speak unlike Camara who seemed to comment or gasp at times she thought it was necessary. And the weirdest thing was how each told their story. While Tomas sounded unapologetic and blunt telling his story with a soft smile of memories, Parker's eyes wouldn't leave mine. I could see the regret on his face. I could see it all. And that made it worse.

Parker's studied me uneasily as bags hung from his eyes. His hair poked out in multiple places from him taking his fingers through it so much. He stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Emily?" He called out and my throat closed.

"S-so you're telling me that you've been playing with my life like this for the longest time?" My heartfelt like it was breaking. My eyebrows furrowed as I stared at the two men. A puppet. I'm a goddamn puppet and I allowed myself to be that.

"No, it's not-," Parker tried to explain as he came close but I stumbled back, my body hitting one of the end tables with a beautiful vase on it. I twisted just in time to see the vas shattered to the floor.

I peered at the broken vase in front of me.

Completely Clueless, I muttered to myself. As I kicked a rock around. "I can't believe it... I'm such a dumbass."

"No, you're not." A voice answered behind me and I whirled around before groaning, "go away, Parker."

"We need to talk." He rubbed the back of his neck as he smiled sheepishly and dug one of his shoes into the concrete.

"No, we shouldn't," I disagreed as I wrapped my arms around me to hide my shiver. I didn't realize how cold it was outside.

Parker noticed what I was trying to do before shoving off his hoodie. He pulled it over his head and a small part of his shirt slipped up with it; revealing his toned stomach. I glanced away, my cheeks burning red even though it was chilly and I only wore a simple t-shirt.

He walked up to me and tried to place the hoodie over my head but I recoiled.

His expression saddened and he stepped back. Before holding out the hoodie in front of him. "Here you go." He offered and I took it, ignoring the pit of guilt bubbling in my stomach.

I slipped the large hoodie over my head before posing. Parker chuckled, "it looks good on you." I turned away to conceal the blush in my face that I knew the street lights would reveal.

I cleared my throat. "Let's talk," I decided to get this over with before I'd lose my mind from the unknown. I gestured towards the curb of the sidewalk. He nodded.