Page 98 of Three Stepbrothers Save Christmas

“I’m sorry, little Kitten.”

“He left!” Her tears soak my bare chest. “He left me,” she starts to heave as she hyperventilates again and throws up over the side of the bed.

I’m going to fucking kill him. He must have known what leaving was going to do to her. She is hanging on by a thread to the point she is cutting herself, and the prick just leaves. I’m sure he is doing the right thing in his head, and he has a plan, as I know he loves her too much to put her through all of this on purpose. This woman is his whole world as much as ours, and he swore always to protect her.

I continue to rock and hold Verity as she cries in my arms until she can’t cry any more. Instead, she sits on my lap, holding her doll to her chest as tears silently roll down her cheeks.

“Did you read the whole letter?” I ask, running my hand over her head as she shakes it.

“He left, Bear.” Her voice so small, I’m scared she’ll never truly recover from this if we don’t get him back.

“I know. Can I read the letter?” I ask, gently pressing a kiss to her head. She nods as a small sob escapes her, and she buries her face into her doll. I close my eyes for a moment to try and calm my anger before picking up the crumpled piece of paper and reading it.

Sweetheart,

I’m writing this whilst you sleep peacefully beside me. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but please know I’m doing it for all the right reasons.

I have no choice but to break the one promise I made to you, the one I said I never would. I need to leave for a little while. I need to put this right for you.

I hate seeing you suffering like you are. I can’t stand knowing that there is someone out there who thinks they have the right to take you from us. That Henry believes he has the right to decide who you marry and spend the rest of your life with. I won’t stand by and watch you hurt yourself or let him hurt you anymore, which is why I’m going away for a little bit.

Everything I said to you tonight as we made love was the truth. I never believed in love until you walked into my life and made me see everything in a new light. I tried to hide how I felt about you, but I couldn’t do it anymore. I belong to you as much as you belong to me and my brothers. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for you, which is why I’m leaving you now.

I have found the key to getting you out of the arranged marriage, and I have to take it. If you are ever going to walk down the aisle to marry someone, it will be a Donavon and no one else, which is why I’m leaving this ring box with you.

The ring inside was our grandmother's engagement ring, which she inherited from her mother, who was given it by her mother. It has been in our family for generations, and I want you to be the next Donavon to wear it.

If the worst happens and I don’t return, marry my brothers and know I will always look over you. You are my whole world, and death itself couldn’t keep me from you.

I will set you free, Sweetheart, and I will ensure you get to live the life you deserve more than anyone I know. I hope you will forgive me for leaving in the first place.

I love you with all my heart, body, and soul.

All my love always and forever.

Your Daddy Travis

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I close my eyes and try desperately to blink back the tears. He’s an absolute fucking idiot. I’m going to kick his ass when I get hold of him. Even if he has found a way to get Verity out of this arranged marriage, to just sneak off like this, not taking one of us with him, I swear to God, if he doesn’t get himself killed, I will do it for him.

“I think you need to read this, Kitten. It will help everything make more sense,” I whisper as I hand her the paper. I hold her tight as she reads it, and I hear her crying quietly. That man really does love her with all his heart, and I know it must have killed him walking away like this, but he should have told us. He should have made sure someone was watching his back.

Verity sits up slightly from my lap and picks up the box from the side as Ethan walks into the room. I look up at him, and he shakes his head. As I expected, he hadn’t found him. He would be long gone by now.

I watch as Verity opens the box and looks inside to see the ring.

“Is that Granny’s?” Ethan asks, walking forward. I nod as Verity lifts it from the box.

“Travis left it for her,” I whisper, holding out the note for him to read. I take the ring from her and place it on her left ring finger. It’s a perfect fit as if made for her.

“We will get him back, little Kitten and then we will make you an official Donavon,” I whisper as she leans back into me, holding her doll and looking at the ring.

50

Verity

I can hear Ryan and Ethan whispering outside of the bedroom door, but I’m too lost in my heartache to pay attention to what they’re saying.

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