Page 122 of Unravelling The Beast

She remains silent, but I can feel her worried gaze all over me, so I decide it’s probably best I just leave.

"Look, I'd better get going."

As I begin to walk away, the tears I've been holding in suddenly flow and slide down my cheeks.

I originally go towards my house, but at the last minute I change my mind and detour to my parents' house because I know Arlo will come straight to my house, and this way I can keep an eye on Lily as well.

As I approach the driveway, I nervously bite my nails before cutting the engine, taking a big breath, and stepping out of the car.

I take my suitcase from my trunk and drag it up the long path towards the front door before wiping my face, straightening my shoulders, and pushing my finger down on the doorbell.

After what seems like an eternity, I finally see my mom appear through the glass of her front door.

As she opens the door, she stares at me, confused, and I offer her a big, phony smile.

"Mom!"

I charge forward and pull her into a startlingly tight hug, feeling her body stiffen.

"What the hell are you doing here, Wren? You didn't say you were coming here."

I respond with faked enthusiasm when I pull away and my eyes meet hers.

"I thought I'd surprise you while I'm on vacation.”

She looks down at my suitcase beside me, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Already?"

When I rest my hand on my hip, the waistband of my pants brushes against the letter A that is carved into my palm, and I start to panic since I didn't cover it.

I decide to take a step forward as I speak.

"Aren't you inviting your eldest daughter in or am I sleeping out here tonight?"

She smiles and rolls her eyes before taking a step back and waving me inside. When I close the door behind me, she turns around to face me.

"Wait, you're staying here?"

"Is that okay?"

"Why not your house?"

"Well, I thought I'd spend some time with you guys while I have the time off."

She looks at me suspiciously, and I sigh with an eye roll.

"It's only for one week, Mom; will that be a problem?"

She pauses for a moment, pondering what I've said, before motioning for me to join her in the kitchen.

"Of course not; stay for as long as you need!"

I speak as we enter.

"Is Lil home?"

"Yeah, she's upstairs."

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