The two officers stared at each other as if we were troublemakers and not long-lost prodigal returners.
Behind us, Nana Evermore couldn’t stop touching Pippa. The longer Pippa stood with her grandmother, the more she lost the persona of wild urchin capable of anything and transmogrified into a scared eleven-year-old girl, bowing to her elders.
Don’t be that kid, Pippi.
I knew her better than that. This was just shock.
Where was the quiet but super-intelligent young woman? Where was the witty jokester, the inquisitive sea-sprite?
I knew where...back on the island. Just like the rest of us.
Nana Evermore interrupted. “Talking of documentation. I’m assuming all ours are in order?”
Estelle’s head snapped up. “What documentation?”
The immigration officers nodded. “You are correct. A temporary passport has been issued and you’re free to return to America.”
“What?” Estelle stumbled. “No!”
Coco sniffed, her face going red with ready-to-spill tears.
“You can’t. I won’t let you.” Estelle dashed to Pippa’s side. “You don’t want to go back to America, Pippi. Stay with us. We’re your family now. You, me, G, Coco, and Conn—” She realised her mistake too late.
Pippa’s face hardened and fell all at once. “My brother is dead.”
She finally said it.
I wish she hadn’t said it.
“I need to be with my family.”
“We are your family.” Estelle grabbed her elbows, ignoring the old woman tutting under her breath. “Pip, don’t do this. We’ll heal together.”
Wisdom far beyond her years filled her gaze. She threw her arms around Estelle. “I’ll always love you, Stelly. I’ll visit and call and never ever forget you. But...I want to go home.”
Home.
Turned out one of us hadn’t replaced that word with our island. Pippa had been the youngest to crash yet the one to hold onto the illusion of civilisation the longest. She’d been loyal while we’d traded our city lives believing our stranding was forever.
I couldn’t begrudge her for that. And I couldn’t let her go feeling as if she’d let us down.
Even though I suffocated inside, I went to her and wrapped her in an adoring hug.
Nana Evermore politely moved away, proving she wasn’t the ogre I wanted her to be.
She was just a grandmother who believed she’d lost her entire bloodline only to find one back from the dead.
If I were in her shoes, I’d want to steal Pippa the second I could, too.
“We love you, Pippi.” I spoke into her hair, smelling the Fijian breeze and coconuts of our island. “Keep your promise and stay in touch.”
She nodded as I let her go. “Always, G. I’ll always love you. Always.”
I nudged her chin. “Conner and your parents would be very proud of you.”
She forced a weak smile. “I hope so.”
Estelle struggled to let her go, but I pulled her into my arms and held on tight. I didn’t let go as Pippa gave us one final wave and took her grandmother’s hand.
With a smile and promise to call when they landed, Pippa walked out of our lives for good.
It’d taken days to fall in love with her, years to get to know her, and now, we’d lost her in mere moments.
That was the worst part, but as we turned to face the officers, it turned out it wasn’t the only piece of terrible news.
There was more.
“Estelle Evermore, you have free clearance to enter Sydney and will be placed in a temporary apartment until your affairs can be resonated and your death certificate revoked. Unfortunately, your home has been sold along with your belongings, but your last will and testament has been overseen by Madeleine Burrows.”
Estelle jolted, latching onto new subjects. “I didn’t—I didn’t know I had a will. And Madi. Is she here?”
Alex shook his head. “We weren’t aware to contact her. The captain of the Pacific Pearl gave no such instruction. However, your lawyer has been notified, and he advised Ms. Burrows of your safe return. I believe she will pop in to see you once you’re settled.”
Estelle focused on the good news while I focused on the bad. She had a home to go to, permission to take our daughter, and a friend waiting to welcome her.
Me...the jury was still deliberating.
If it were anything like the last jury I’d faced...I was in deep shit.
Every muscle locked as the man delivered my verdict. “As for you, Mr. Oak. We are aware of your ordeal, and under normal circumstances, we would offer compassionate grounds to allow entry for a time. We would overlook the fact you do not have the necessary visas and work with you to ensure future paperwork was arranged. However, you are a convicted felon. You have a criminal record.
“As per Australian law, we don’t permit serious offenders into our country without a full background check and deliberation. Even then, it’s never guaranteed.” He peered at me over the bridge of his glasses. “Especially for murderers.”
And just like that...I’d gone from almost dead to forbidden.
Estelle was no longer mine.
My past had finally caught up with me.
It was over.
Chapter Seventy
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