“That’s good, right?”
Her expression shifted again.
“It is but there’s one more thing.”
“Aight, what’s up?”
“We found your mother also.”
Fuck…
“She’s not getting her back. That shit isn’t happening, Sov. Do whatever we gotta do. Pay her off, I don’t care what it cost?—”
“Ryland.”
“Nah, I don’t want to hear that’s a bad idea. She’s not getting Rylee back. I refuse…”
“Ryland…” she stated in a firm voice.
“What?” I barked and her expression softened.
“She’s not able to fight you for custody. Your mother…” she paused and I frowned hard as hell.
“She isn’t my gotdamn mother,” I clarified and Sovoya nodded.
“Feliciapassed away. Overdose. They think it was intentional.”
The muscles in my jaw locked tightly while I processed what she said. Then my mother’s words were on rotation in my mind.“Your mother struggles with depression.”
“When?”
“Couple days ago.”
I nodded. “Where is he?”
“Your father?”
“Yeah. I have to set up a meeting to see how I need to play this.”
I couldn’t deal with the shit with my mother. I wasn’t sure how to. As much as I hated the woman, she was still a part of me. I avoided the reality for so many years, but knowing she was gone had me feeling uncomfortable because of emotions I wasn’t expecting.
“Chicago.”
“Aight, I need to get there.”
“And what about Felicia?”
“What about her?”
“No one has claimed the body. I’m aware this is not something you want to deal with, but…”
“I’m not dealing with that shit.” I turned, heading to my GWagon.
“Ryland, hang on.” I glared at Sovoya who looked emotionally conflicted. When I paused before getting in the car, she spoke. “I’m going to offer you some advice that comes from personal experience. Do with it what you want, but at least think about this. You don’t have to love her, you don’t even have to care about her, but how you handle this will be a clean break. If you’re still this angry, you need closure. You’re a good person, Ryland. Do not allow your hate for Felicia to take that from you.”
“What the fuck you want me to do?” I narrowed my eyes.
“It’s not about what I want. It’s about what you need in order to truly move on with your life. Just think about it.”