Page 61 of The Dark Obsession

In the middle of the property, an apple tree stands proudly.

I blink once with a shake of my head, but it’s still there.

Small with just a few branches and freshly dug up soil all around.

My apple tree.

Without realizing it, my steps take me towards it, my bare feet sinking into the soft grass still wet with dew, the morning fog misting the edges of the forest.

The closer I get, the bigger the tree becomes until it’s towering a few feet above me, speckled with tiny reddish apples that definitely don’t look edible yet.

How did he get this here, and how big of a hole did the man have to dig while I was peacefully asleep?

Grazing the rough bark with the palm of my hand, I trace the lowest branches, letting the fine leaves slip between my fingers, making sure I’m not imagining this. Tears starting to pool in my eyes and I have to tilt my head up to prevent them from spilling over.

It may seem like a small thing but it’s not just a tree to me, it’s so much more. A proof of life.

My life.

This tree could be standing here for centuries to come, serving as a remainder of my legacy on this earth.

I’m not much of a spiritual believer, but whether there’s an afterlife, reincarnation or simply nothing waiting for me, this is the one thing I wanted for myself. Something that gave me piece of mind that I’ve accomplished at least something during my time here. A little mark I left upon the world.

I stifle the sob threatening to escape.

He did this for me.

The small hairs on the back of my neck rise and I spin around to Tyson standing on the porch, watching me.

Has he been standing there this whole time?

Well, I might have missed him while gawking at the oversized sapling.

Trapped in his dark, unblinking eyes, I approach him reverently, gauging his reaction while he seems to be doing the same.

The man has a way of studying my face that strips me bare.

His unreadable expression softening when I come to a halt in front of him, our chests nearly touching.

Being this close, I’m forced to tilt my head up since the top of it barely reaches his chin.

The look on his face says it all.

Before I can think better of it, I throw my arms around Tyson’s neck, pulling him down into a tight hug.

At first, I feel him stiffen but then he melts into the embrace, molding our bodies together.

His muscular arms wrap around my upper body, lifting me to my tiptoes as he suffocates the life out of me.

Burying my face in the crook of his neck, I breathe in his woodsy, masculine scent. His large palm cradling the back of my head, keeping me there, wrapped in the warm cocoon of his hard body.In my safe place.

“Thank you.” I murmur against his skin, making his hold on me tighten.

“Anything for you, little one.” He rasps. “Especially if I get this in return.” Tyson runs a hand down my spine, placing a gentle kiss to my temple.

“H-how did you…” I struggle for words.

“I might have gone through your stuff after putting you to bed.” He doesn’t let me move an inch when I try pulling away. “Don’t be mad, baby. It’s nothing I haven’t done before.”

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