Page 81 of Like a Hurricane

Kolten pulls the car to a stop out front and gets out, opening my door for me but fear keeps me rooted to the spot.

This was it.

The end.

Chapter Forty

I’m so sorry Everett.

I am so fucking sorry.

I didn’t get to say goodbye or tell you that I love you. I knew you wouldn’t let me go if you knew the truth and a part of me loves you for that, but I couldn’t be selfish in this. I couldn’t put you and your family at risk.

They have my sister, you’ll see everything in this envelope, so I really hope you can understand why I had to do this.

By the time you wake up, I’ll probably be gone. If they let you, take my body. Don’t let them bury me in some nameless grave.

These past few weeks have been incredible for me. You have made me come alive and experience life in a completely new way. I am so grateful to you for that.

I know I gave you shit; I know I was difficult, but you didn’t let that stop you from showing me what love is.

You were right all along, the love I read in books is real. You were my fairytale.

If this had ended differently, I would have stayed with you in Ravenpeak, we would have lived in that cozy little cabin during the summer and figure something out for the winter. We would have had babies. Lots of babies. I would have liked to be a mother and you would have been the best dad. I know it.

When this is done, I’d like to be cremated. I don’t want to be buried where I’ll rot and be forgotten.

Scatter my ashes off the cliff where you told me of your fear of heights. I know you won’t like it but for me, please. I want the wind to take me away and the ocean to claim me.

I’m sorry that this is the way we end.

Know I love you.

Thank you for being my fairytale.

Forever yours,

Arryn

Chapter Forty-one

Kolten walks behind me, our steps echoing through the empty foyer. No staff, no guests, just us and our loud steps on the marble floor. Quiet classical music plays through the speakers hidden throughout the hotel, a soft melody that we often choose for its elegance and serenity.

It sounds more ominous now than peaceful. The notes whip through my body, getting faster and faster as if to match the speed of my heart.

A guiding hand on the small of my back turns me into the dining room, the restaurant still set up as if to take guests. Candles are lit on the tables, jugs of water in the center with single roses set in tall thin vases. The lights are dimmed and the fire burning bright in the hearth at the end of the long room. All curtains are drawn and sitting in front of the fire is Malakai Ware, his father, and my sister.

She looks unharmed, but her skin is pale, and tears run steadily over her cheeks, her mascara leaving tracks.

“Olivia!” I start to run but a quick hand on my arm stops my forward motion so suddenly I fall back.

I hear her sob break, a wail so devastating it ruins me and whatever I had left of my heart shatters some more.

Kenneth stands and sneers at me, his face twisted into complete and utter hatred while his son remains sat and calm, his ankle resting on his knee, fingers steepled beneath his chin.

Kolt brings me to a stop about ten feet away from them. I scan Olivia more thoroughly now that I was closer. There were no obvious injuries even if the shadows beneath her eyes look like deep bruises over exhaustion. She has no color in her skin, even her mouth and her eyes are dull.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to her, her eyes filling with fresh tears. “It wasn’t supposed to end this way.”

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