Page 74 of Hot Blooded
Help with what?I want to scream.Yes, help make Reign see things my way.
Instead, though, my throat is too dry and tight to speak. A fresh batch of tears race down my cheeks. Mrs. Potts crosses to me in two steps and then hugs me.
I sob like that for some time before she has to get me a tissue because my nose is so stuffed from crying.
Pulling in a shuddered breath, finding some thread of strength I’m not sure I even have, I finally speak. “I’m leaving. Today.”
She nods as if this is a foregone conclusion, and it breaks me up even more.
“I can help you pack,” she decides. “I’ll get your clothes from the washroom. You get dressed. We’ll meet back here and do it together.”
Nodding, I move like a zombie to the bathroom. Somehow, brushing my teeth feels like too much work. I manage to smooth out my hair and twist it into a messy bun, then I throw on some sweats and a t-shirt.
When Mrs. Potts returns, we move through my room, me at the speed of a snail, Mrs. Potts demonstrating a bit more efficiency.
I take a brief pause to stare at Daniella’s diary on my dresser. Mrs. Potts hand falls on my shoulder. “Make sure he gets this back.”
“Of course.”
I move over to the window seat where the gift he purchased me just last night sits, still neatly packaged by the auction house.
“And this,” I say.
Mrs. Potts nods, her lips in a tight line.
“And the dresses. And the shoes,” I add.
I’m not taking anything with me that I didn’t bring here. I even leave the book of love poems.
When I’m fully packed and the room is no longer looking like mine, I take out my phone with shaking hands and dial Lena. She answers, sounding sleepy.
“Can you come get me? I need to leave. Now,” I say through a shaky voice.
“Is everything okay?” she gasps, sounding immediately alert.
“I’m not hurt. But I need to go. Can you take me to a hotel?”
I hear rustling in the background, like she is getting ready. “Of course. I’ll be there in five minutes. Stay safe, Tressa.”
“Thank you,” I say, voice cracking. The call ends and a new batch of tears rolls over my face, I didn’t think there was anything left to cry.
“Let me grab you a tray of something to eat?” Mrs. Potts offers. The kind woman.
I sniffle and squeeze my hands together in my lap. “Is he okay?” I say the words quietly.
Mrs. Potts face twists, obviously conflicted. “Was he ever okay?” she quips, attempting to lighten the mood, although there is a sad undertone of truth she speaks that makes me really think.Was he ever okay?Maybe not. Keeping the objects of a lost love locked away in the west wing, denying himself any future possibility of love. I’d pity him if I wasn’t so heartbroken right now.
“I’m going to miss you,” I admit because I completely will. She is a lovely person. A perfectly kind and sweet woman.
She just nods and takes her leave. Presumably to get me food. Not that I could eat. My stomach feels twisted and sour.
Lena texts me back as Mrs. Potts brings a small tray. “My ride will be here in five minutes,” I sigh as I pick at the items to appease her. She calls for some staff to take my bags to the front door and we share a quick hug.
Before I can even look back at the mansion, the rose bushes I planted, the ghost of memories of Reign and I kissing on the front steps… I’m stepping into Lena’s car. Suitcases loaded into her trunk. The car tires begin crunching down the graveldriveway. We’re moving forward, but my heart stays anchored back in the dark halls, anchored to a vampire who I desperately love… a vampire who doesn’t love me back.
Chapter 39
Tressa
