Page 174 of Unravelling The Beast

"Arlo?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"What the hell is going on? Is it true?"

I sigh and sink back into my seat a little more before responding.

"Is what true?"

I hear her walk away, followed by a murmur into the phone.

"That you finished, dad!?"

"That's right."

Her silence makes me realize she was probably closer to him than any of us, and I always knew she'd feel upset if I ever killed him.

"I'm sorry, sis, but you know he was out of control and—"

"He absolutely deserved it, Arlo."

I remain silent for a brief period, as does she, before she sighs and continues.

"I heard about Bridget and what he did to you. He deserved everything that happened to him. That man was the very definition of pure evil."

When she talks again, my jaw tenses as I stare at the road ahead of me.

"I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you, but please know that I am always here for you and that I love you.I knew Bridge, and she would have recognized that you didn't mean it; she loved you more than anything."

Tears well up in my eyes, and I clear my throat in an attempt to regain control of my emotions before changing the subject.

"How's Cree?"

"Yeah, he's okay. He's been asking about you and Wren."

"I'll pick him up tomorrow, if that's all right?Wren's face is wounded and I don't want him to see her that way."

“Of course. Is she doing okay? I really want to see Mom, but Aunt Linda has been with her the entire time, so I know she's fine."

Before I respond, I sigh.

"Wren is fine; she's tough and will pull through.I'm on my way to see Mom right now."

"Okay, well, I guess I'll go see her tomorrow.Aunt Linda said she's in bad shape, and it's fortunate that you found her when you did and Jasper got her to the hospital."

I respond as I drive inside the hospital parking lot.

"Look, I'd better get going; I'm just pulling up to the hospital. Tell Cree that we love him and will see him tomorrow. I appreciate it, sis."

I park while she responds.

Okay, no worries; see you tomorrow. Bye."

When she cuts the call, I turn off the engine with a deep sigh and jump out of the car before heading into the hospital.

After speaking to a doctor, he takes me to her room, and I walk in behind him. I immediately notice my mom in bed, with my aunt Linda seated in a chair close to her. My mom's eyes are closed, but she must have sensed my presence because they gradually open and she looks at me at the end of the bed.

Her face is purple and blue, her left eye is fully blown out, the white is bright red, and her lips are cut and swollen.

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