Page 57 of Snowy Secrets

A long while later, there's a knock on the door, and it opens. It's not River or Wyatt or Marcus. It's my dad. He sits down beside me.

"Where's Ginny?" I ask in a thick voice, sniffling loudly.

"In the car," he says and wraps his burly arm around my shoulders. "Waiting for us. Let's go home, Bella."

"Daddy, I—" A fresh wave of sobs erupts.

"You've just gone through a lot," he says firmly. "And your mother and I played our part in helping you when you were pregnant, child. I wasn't half the father I could have been back then, but I have a chance to make amends now. Come home."

My body shakes as I let him help me up.

Outside, Marcus and Wyatt are standing sentinel in the living room, their faces blanched white.

"Bella—"

"Don't leave," Wyatt says in a hoarse voice. "We can figure this out."

Beside me, I can feel my father's whole body stiffen. Perceptiveness runs in the family. I know he senses something is off, and it involves more people than River, me, and Ginny.

I can't muster a reply, but I mouth a sorry before wrenching free from his grasp and running to the car.River wasn't allwrong, I think as Dad gets in and starts the engine. I am a coward.

26

RIVER

Four Days Later

The burn of whiskey in my throat barely registers anymore. It is the only thing that has offered a moment of respite from the relentless ache in my heart. The world around me is a wasteland. Every creak of the floorboards, every tick of the grandfather clock, reminds me of her absence. Bella. Ginny. A future that I could not claim.

Last night, I booked a flight to another country. I don't have that much luggage to carry, just a lot of burdens. Shouldn't be that hard.

I drain the glass, the amber liquid sloshing dangerously as I rise from the worn leather armchair. Four days. Four agonizing days since she stormed out, leaving behind a trail of shattered hopes and unanswered questions. I run a hand through my hair and stifle a groan. How did it become this way?

You know how,a voice in my head replies scathingly.You couldn't man up, and she couldn't trust you enough.

Yeah, she's been downright nasty to me, not telling me about Ginny—but I can't say I didn't play a part in being undeserving.Maybe that's all I'm good for. Maybe leaving is the only thing I do best.

The living room is bathed in sunlight, and beautifully so, now that the snowstorm has lifted. It falls on the brick red walls and the cozy furniture, casting a buttery glow over everything except the tomb of my mind. In there, the silence is as oppressive as it is loud. I reach for the bottle, my fingers trembling slightly as I pour another generous measure into my glass.

"You're killing yourself, you know that, right?"

The gruff voice startles me, and I turn to see Marcus standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his broad chest, a disapproving frown etched on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I grumble, taking a swig of whiskey.

"Came to see if you were still alive," he replies, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "Looks like I was just in time."

Marcus lowers himself onto the sofa, his eyes scanning the disarray of empty bottles and scattered newspapers. "This isn't the way, River. You're drowning yourself in self-pity, and it's not doing anyone any good."

"What would you know about it?" I snap, the alcohol fueling my anger. "You can go to her right now and she'll take you back with open arms."

"She really won't, and you'd do well to not talk shit," Marcus warns, his voice hardening. "She's worried sick about you, just like the rest of us." His eyes cloud over for a moment.

It doesn't faze me, although I know Marcus and Wyatt are torn up over the way Bella left. I'm not sure I have those kinds of feelings left in me.

"Well, she can save her worry," I retort, draining my glass and slamming it down on the coffee table. "There's nothing left to worry about. Bella's gone, and she's not coming back."

"That's where you're wrong," Marcus says, leaning forward, his eyes boring into mine. "Bella loves you, River. She's always loved you. But you keep pushing her away, just like you're doing now."

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