The Lost One: Lost Series, #1

By Liz Lovelock

My name is Melodi White. I did something I shouldn't have.

I fell for my boss.

In my defence, I didn't know he was my soon-to-be new boss.

After the loss of my twin sister, I decided it was finally time to start living again. Corban helped me thrive through the darkness that once coated my life. But, when a horror story from the past shows its ugly face in the form of my sister's ex-boyfriend, how am I to keep myself from drowning in the depths of despair?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Lovelock
• Release date: Sep 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502288400

Book preview

Prologue

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I don’t know how I’ll get through this day. It’s like I’ve been living in my own personal kind of hell over the last two weeks. Since finding out my sister, Abby, is gone, my world is so empty. My heart feels as though it’s been ripped out and stomped on a hundred times over. I never imagined my life without her. She was my best friend, someone I could always trust, and now . . . she’s gone.

Abby was a friend to everyone. On my bad days, I would find myself feeding off her happy, fun-loving spirit to help build me up. That is, until Jacob Smith came along and ruined her life, and mine.

I knew things were not right with him. Every time I saw him, the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach set off alarm bells, but Abby was so happy after she met him. She said he treated her like a princess, always sending her flowers and bringing her lovely gifts.

One night when she came home after seeing Jacob, she had a bruised cheek. I questioned her about it, but she told me it was an accident and he didn’t mean it. From that night on, she began to shut down and close herself off from her friends, and even me. She would come home straight from work and shut herself in her room. She wasn’t there for me like usual, and wouldn’t let me be there for her either. I wanted to, especially when I heard her crying in her room late at night. She would never tell me what was bothering her. It hurt and made me angry how she wouldn’t confide in me.

The day she came to me and said she was planning to leave Jacob, made me super happy. I noticed a change in her during the weeks leading up to the day she was going to leave him. She was happier and brighter than I had seen her in months. But she was unsure how to tell him, she was scared of his reaction. He was the type who flew off the handle, and no one knew what would happen. She started opening up to me before she left, telling me what he was capable of. It gave me chills, sending shivers down my spine, to think of what he might do to her. I told her I was going with her, but she didn’t want me to come. Hurt and afraid, I gave in and let her go alone.

That is why I am to blame for what happened. When she left that night, I never thought it would be the last time I would get to see her. Then she was gone, missing. My world has never been the same again, and my heart is broken, shattered into a million pieces.

We searched for her, put flyers around and even went to the local television stations, but found nothing. The hardest thing was hearing the police say they were now starting an investigation for a missing person since she’d been gone for more than seventy-two hours.

When they interviewed me, I told them about Jacob and how Abby started coming home with bruises and how her personality drastically changed. I informed them of her plan to break up with him the night she disappeared.

Upon searching his place, they found the locket I had given her for her eighteenth birthday in a pool of blood, along with blood-covered towels. He was arrested on the spot and charged with her murder.

Then my two weeks of sitting through hell began.

I’ve been sitting in this courtroom day in and day out, listening to the endless questioning from the lawyers to Abby’s colleagues and friends. How was Abby’s behaviour in weeks before she disappeared? Had anyone met the defendant, Jacob? Did they seem happy? Did she seem afraid of him? Hearing their responses has been excruciating, and I’m surprised to learn of all the things I didn’t notice, such as how she had stopped going to work and had often called off sick. I had no idea because she wasn’t at home much.

What kind of sister am I?

When they call me to the stand, my nerves are all over the place. I’m not sure if I’m going to burst into tears or vomit. After I’m sworn in, the prosecutor is first up with the questioning.

Miss White, Abby is your sister, correct? She is an elderly lady with kind, brown eyes that urge me to answer her question.

Yes, I respond, my voice cracking.

Did Abby confide in you about her relationship with the defendant?

No. Not about what happened in their relationship. Not long after they started dating, she began shutting me out. She only opened up to me the night she left, telling me how scared she was at how Jacob was going to react. My heart is pounding in my chest and I’m sure everyone in the courtroom can hear it.

Why did she shut you out?

I questioned her about the bruises she began showing up with. I look at Jacob, and his heartless, green eyes are staring back at me. I wish I could wipe that smug look off his face.

How often did she show up with new injuries?

I can’t be too sure. I only saw them every now and then, so perhaps once a week, but then she started wearing more clothes and keeping herself covered.

Describe Abby’s behaviour in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

Her personality and even her appearance changed. She didn’t seem to care anymore and dropped her normal standard. It was like her happy and caring soul had been taken from her. Seeing it broke my heart. My voice breaks and tears begin to fall. Sorry, I mumble into the tissue.

It’s okay. When you’re ready, could you tell us about the night she disappeared?

I nod and focus only on the prosecutor. I don’t want to look at my parents. I know my mum will be a complete mess. "Something with Abby had changed. She was a little happier, and she told me she was planning on leaving him." I glance toward Jacob, giving him an ice-cold glare. I wish looks could kill. I offered to go with her, but she assured me everything would be okay and she would see me later, but . . . tears burn my cheeks again, . . . later never came. I haven’t seen my sister since.

The prosecutor thanks me and I’m allowed to leave the stand since Jacob’s lawyer has no questions for me. I return to my seat beside my mum.

Jacob is next to be called to the stand. When he gets up, he looks around at my family with a conceited look on his face. Arrogant arse. The anger within me is slowly reaching boiling point. I have so much hate and bitterness toward this man. I hope he gets what’s coming to him. I hope karma comes around and punches him right in the face. I’m not usually a violent person, but my parents and I have been through so much lately, and I can’t take much more.

Jacob is sworn in and takes his seat. His lawyer is first up with questioning.

Mr. Smith, please tell the court your relationship with Abby White. His lawyer is young, and I can only hope he’s fresh out of law school and does a terrible job.

We were in a relationship, a happy one and so very much in love. His voice is full of confidence. Liar!

He sits there all sure of himself, with his jet-black hair and shining fearless green eyes. If I had met him on the street, not knowing what I do now, I would have probably considered him a nice guy.

Were you in any way abusive toward Abby?

No.

How do you explain the bruises?

"Well, let’s just say she was a little clumsy at times and she also enjoyed things . . . rough."

What? He is so full of it!

My hands begin to shake with my anger and I start looking at my hands, picking at my nails to keep my hands busy.

Do you mean sexually?

Yes.

There’s no way she was like that at all.

The questions continue to fly at him, and still he expresses no emotion as he sits up there and lies. All I hear are lies. They make my ears want to bleed. I hope they’re just as clear to the jury.

After both lawyers have finished, the jury is ushered away to make their decision. I sit in silence, praying it will all work out in our favour.

Please stand, I hear the court officer addressing the courtroom, pulling me out of my thoughts. I focus on the judge entering, followed by the jury. Feeling very anxious regarding the outcome, my heart is racing and my stomach is twisting in multiple knots.

Please be seated, says the judge, slamming his hammer down for order in the courtroom.

I actually feel like I might be sick or pass out—I’m not too sure at this point. Feeling my mother’s hand grab mine, she squeezes. It’s a good comfort, and I feel myself calm a little.

I gaze at my parents. Dad has his arm around Mum for support, and both look worn out from this whole ordeal, as I’m sure I do as well. Looking at Mum’s deep red hair, now with some grey streaks through it, I notice how similar we look with our hair and crystal blue eyes. Abby was the opposite, even though we were twins. We weren’t identical twins, but fraternal. She had beautiful brown hair like Dad. So she gained most her features from Dad, while I gained mine from Mum, but we had the same clear blue eyes.

As we sit, all I can do is hope Jacob is found guilty. Then justice will be served for my sister. I look over at him and he appears all calm and relaxed. He glances over his shoulder, catching my eye, and smiles. I feel the bile rise in my throat, so I quickly look away taking a few deep breaths to settle my stomach. I grip Mum’s hand harder.

Has the jury reached a verdict? asks the judge, looking toward the jury panel.

The spokesperson for the jury approaches the front, handing a piece of paper to the court officer, who takes it to the judge. My stomach is feeling like the sea in the middle of a storm. No matter how much breathing I do, it won’t calm, and if I keep the deep breaths happening, I might hyperventilate. The judge unfolds the piece of paper that holds the fate of that pathetic excuse of a human in his hand. He reads it before he presents it back to the court officer who extends it to the spokesperson.

We, the jury, find the defendant, Jacob Smith . . . not guilty.

"No! That’s not fair. He killed my sister!" I shout at the jury. I can hear my mother trying to calm me down, but all I feel right now is rage, rage and hate toward Jacob Smith. I watch him as he’s thanking his lawyer, shaking their hands, and smiling.

Oh, how I wish I could wipe that smile off his face.

I don’t realise I’m crying—sobbing actually—until my mother pulls me into her, and we cry together, standing here holding each other. Dad walks out after the verdict is read. He knows he won’t be able to control himself. I guess I get my temper from him.I sense someone standing behind me.

I’m sorry for your loss. I did love Abby very much.

I whip my head around to face the scum of the earth.

Did he just say he loved her?

I look Jacob in the face. There’s no compassion in his eyes, I know he never cared for her. I don’t know what comes over me. I just see red. Straightening up, I turn my entire body toward him, and before he knows what’s happening, I clench my fist and let it fly right at his face, hitting him square in between the eyes and then smile at him.

Take that, you pathetic excuse of a man!

I look around to see the officers looking my way, but they don’t come toward me. It actually looks like they enjoyed the show.

Oww, you bitch! he yells while clutching his nose. I don’t think it’s broken, but it is pouring out blood. Man that makes me feel much better seeing him in pain. I nearly laugh in his face, but think better of it. It was a dumb thing to do, but I feel so much anger toward him, and he deserves every bit of pain that comes his way.

Don’t you ever speak to us again, and you have no right talking about Abby at all. It’s your fault she’s gone! I yell at him as my mother grabs my arm, pulling me out of the courtroom doors. You may have got off today, but we know the truth! I continue yelling at him.

Stop, Melodi, you’re going to make things worse. Abby wouldn’t want you to be like this, I hear Mum say as she finally gets me out the doors and into the parking lot before I can do more damage.

We walk to the car in silence. I notice Dad waiting for us near the car, pacing, anger written all over his face, his eyes glazed over with hate. I have never seen him looking so outraged in all my life. I look at Mum and see she’s fighting off tears. I wish there’s something I could do to take away their pain.

I’m sorry, Mum. I know I shouldn’t have done that. Something in me snapped and it just happened. I grab her, stopping her from walking any further. I pull her to me, wrapping my arms around her. We stand there for a short time, holding each other, giving the support we both need right now. Dad comes over, joining in on the hug, and supports Mum and me while we cry. He always tries to be the strong one.

Mum pulls me out at arm’s length, looking at me with a mischievous smile on her face. She has red eyes and blotchy cheeks, but there’s a little shining light in her eyes. Looking toward Dad, she says, You would be super proud of the punch she just gave that lowlife, honey. She gives a sad chuckle, which sets me off giggling.

Dad looks surprised and confused. Then he pulls me into a Dad bear hug with a laugh. It feels good to be smiling and laughing with Mum and Dad again. I know it will take a while to get over our loss, but we have each other.

Wish I could have seen it, he beams proudly.

We let go, walking to the car.

I love you, Mum and Dad.

We love you too, honey. We’re always here for you, no matter what. We need, more now than ever, to stick together, Mum says, taking my hand giving it a light squeeze.

Someone standing near us clears their throat. Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. White? We all turn to face a police officer standing before us. My heart sinks.

Oh, gosh, that punch has come back be bite me on the arse.

I look to Mum and Dad, who look concerned, as I’m sure I do too.

Yes, that’s us, my dad says formally. Can we help you?

The police officer looks really nervous as I watch small sweat beads forming on his brow. He looks young, maybe too young to be a police officer. Perhaps he’s a newbie. He has a strong build, about six foot tall, jet black hair, and bright green, sad but kind eyes. Maybe it isn’t to do with my incident.

Ah . . . yes, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. I . . . his voice catches as though he’s on the verge of tears, and he clears his throat, " . . . I knew Abby. I met her one day at the park. I was doing my normal rounds and I saw her sitting there alone . . . crying. I approached her and noticed bruises on her arms. We got to talking and I tried to get her to put out a Domestic Violence Order out on this guy and she said she would. I even gave her my number if she ever needed anything. I’m terribly sorry I didn’t do more." He hangs his head in shame. Each word spoken is low and touches my heart.

I’m on the verge of tears and my mother has tears streaming down her face, but Dad stands tall and walks over to the young, handsome police officer.

What’s your name, son? Dad asks.

Blake Johnson, sir. His voice shakes from the emotion, or fear—I’m not sure. I do know my dad can be a scary person sometimes.

Blake is taken completely by surprise when Dad, who is not a hugging kind of guy, pulls him into a short, manly hug. A lump forms in my throat at the sight of two grown men shedding a few tears.

You did what you could, son. Don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s no one’s fault but that lowlife’s sitting in that courtroom now with a broken nose . . . hopefully. He beams proudly at me. I give a weak smile.

"I know. I guess I will always think I could . . . no should . . . have done more to help her.It’s all right. Just pick yourself up and go help those you can help now. Don’t live in the past."

Thank you, sir. He stretches out his hand and Dad takes it. Blake then turns toward Mum and me. You and your sister are both beautiful women. She talked about all of you that day, how much she loved you and appreciated all your support and encouragement. She was smiling when I left her, he says with a sad smile of his own. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.

Mum and I are standing here with tears still flowing down our face. I’m so grateful he approached us. To know she felt our love and found this stranger to confide in makes me happy. Hearing she still had smiling moments lifts some of the weight off my heart.

We both hug this stranger and thank him for his kind words. He walks away looking a little more relieved than he did before he approached us. I leave feeling the first glimmer of peace since the night Abby disappeared.

Chapter One

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Beep, beep. I hear my phone go off. I groan, rolling over, and reaching out for it on the bedside table. I open my eyes a little, noticing it’s still dark out. I groan again in frustration.

Who messages this early?

Squinting at the brightness, I try to see who the message is from through blurry eyes.

Mum: Hey, honey, good luck with the job interview today. I will call you later.

Love you!

Mum and Dad xo

P.S. Sorry, I know it’s early.

Trust Mum to message me at this time of the morning. Looking at the time and discover it’s five a.m. Are you kidding me? Come on, Mum. You knew I would be sleeping. Feeling a little frustrated, I know Mum’s working early shifts at the hospital, but she could have just rung me later.

It’s been a month since I moved to New York. I needed a change. Plus, I needed to get the bad memories of my hometown out of my mind and living there was always a constant reminder of what had happened to Abby.

The anniversary of her death is coming up soon. I miss her every day and the pain is still unbearable at times. I find myself waking up crying some nights. The memory of that part of my life is always fresh in my mind, a constant reminder to never trust a guy, no matter how great he may seem.

It was our shared dream to move to New York, work and party it up while we were young. Maybe even travel around a little. We always had a fascination with Europe, especially Italy, but now it’s just me. I feel lost and alone some days.

I have met some great people since moving here. There’s Felicity, or Flick, as I like to call her. She works at the recruitment company that I applied to when I first moved here. We clicked right away. She loves hearing me talk with my Aussie accent. My family moved to America when Abby and I were eighteen. Dad got a transfer in the Army, so we moved to Philadelphia. Dad was away most of the time, but Mum, Abby, and I settled in pretty well in our new home state. It’s just Mum and Dad at home now since Dad retired. We got our green cards and decided to stay.

Flick figured I knew nothing about New York, which I didn’t, so she took me under her wing, showing me the great restaurants, nightclubs, and the best shopping spots. I can’t believe the hot guys around. I still keep my distance, but can’t help looking.

She has been putting my name in for all the high paying jobs, which is great, although nothing has come of it yet.

Hopefully, today will be my lucky day, I think as my stomach begins swarming with butterflies at the thought of today’s interview. The meeting is with Case Constructions, a building development company, as a Personal Assistant to the head honcho. I know there will be plenty of other worthy applicants. Here’s hoping.

Then there is Liam, smart, sexy, funny Liam. I get a little heart flutter thinking about him. We met on my first night out on the town with Flick. It was a pretty big night, with lots of tequila shots and dancing. Next thing I remember is waking up at home with Flick beside me in my bed. I walked into the living area and nearly died at the sight of this unknown shirtless guy asleep on my couch. Totally freaked, I ran back to my room, waking Flick up. I literally had to lift her up by her shoulders to shake her awake. While still half asleep, she proceeded to tell me how I’d invited him to stay, as his place was an hour out of town. And so began the adventures of Flick, Liam, and Melodi.

Liam is a legal aid. I’m sure he has a thing for Flick, and either she’s blind or just isn’t interested. When they’re together, they flirt like nobody’s business. But then if there’s another guy who shows interest, she brushes Liam off—the poor fella. I think I might need to intervene there a little, but right now, I think I should get a few more hours sleep. Rolling over, placing my phone back on to the bedside table, and pulling my blankets up, I snuggle back into my large comfy bed.

Then the wonderful feeling of wandering off into dreamland sets in.

Glancing at my watch for the hundredth time, I struggle to sit still. There’s still three girls to go, plus myself. There were seven of us here for interviews. Nerves are beginning to kick in. My stomach feels likes there’s a million butterflies waiting to escape up