The Bound Between Us

Chapter 978

Tavon stared at his phone, barely able to keep his balance as the latest trending topic exploded online. People were tearing into Salma in the comments, the internet a wildfire of anger, and it felt like the ground was slipping out from under him.

He wobbled and grabbed onto the back of a chair, lowering himself shakily into the seat. His head spun, his whole body felt light and disconnected, as if he could just drift away.

On his screen was a photo-blood pooled on the pavement, proof that Ashley had jumped. Tavon stared, dazed, the shock hitting him like a bolt from the blue. All the fights, the shouting, the resentment-he'd thought he was done with her, but now that something this terrible had happened, he just felt hollow, like someone had scooped everything out of his chest.

He looked pale as a ghost. Salma, wondering why he hadn't come back inside, poked her head out of the diner and saw him sitting on a bench, completely out of

it.

She hurried over, concern etched across her face. "Hey, are you okay? Did something happen at the hospital?"

He blinked, snapping back to himself, and waved her away. "No, no, nothing like that. Come on, let's eat. After, we'll head to the hospital-Pattie's surgery should be wrapping up soon."

He clammed up about Ashley, quickly locking his phone so Salma wouldn't catch a glimpse of the headlines.

Right now, everyone was focused on Pattie's surgery. Anastasia and the others barely checked their phones, and unless you were actively searching for "Willowbrook Morton Group's ex-wife suicide," you probably wouldn't even see the

news.

and the two of them went back inside. The diner smelled like coffee and fried food, but nobody had much of an appetite. They picked at their plates, and after a

not moving. Salma shot him a look. "What's up with you? The others

change-these clothes are filthy. Old Dan asked me to grab tea with him, and there's enough of you at the hospital anyway. I'd just be in

rolled her eyes and muttered, "Honestly, you're still thinking of yourself at a time like this," then crossed the street

as they were gone, Tavon's smile crumbled.

line connected. Tavon's voice was

had jumped-nobody had said for sure if she'd survived. He still held onto a sliver of

and cold, colder than Tavon had ever heard. "She's at the hospital. Might as well be dead-she's a vegetable now." He paused, then added with venom, "Dad, you

say a word, Sean hung

then hurried to book the next flight back

needed to get there, to try and contain

Salma, but Tavon knew that wasn't true. Salma had always been clear-there was no going back for them. She

on the plane, Tavon messaged

media storm, hoping to shield Salma from

was too wrapped up in Pattie's surgery to notice Tavon hadn't

operation finally ended. James came out of the OR, still in