Page 125 of Unravelling The Beast

When I'm through, I pull his duvet over him, kiss him on the cheek, and quietly exit his room.

The first thing I do after that is enter Wren's bedroom and switch on the light.

I take a slow step forward and glance around, but I don't need to since I sense it right away.She fucking left us.I turn quickly and dash downstairs to the kitchen as wrath surges through me.

As I rush in and turn on the light, my eyes are drawn to the note on the counter. I stand there outraged, staring at it from a distance, debating whether I even want to read it and listen to the bullshit she has to say.

I furiously rub my palms up and down my face before taking a hesitant step towards it. As I stand over it, my eyes scan the words she wrote.

Arlo. This is hard for me. Always know that I care about you and Cree with my whole heart, but I can't be the reason for your family's hardship. I can't be the reason you're stuck in this miserable situation you've found yourself in. You probably assume I've given up and don't care, but that's not true. I care far too much, and that's the problem. Just know that in your dark world, you managed to bring light into mine and I felt alive every second I was with you and Cree. I will miss you both dearly. With love, Wren.

When I've finished reading it, I purse my lips in disapproval, grab it, and scrunch it up before hurling it at the wall.

I spend the majority of the night pacing up and down, slowly losing my mind while gulping Bourbon. I just need to see her, but I can't since Cree is here. I'm stuck here, going out of my fucking mind.

She can't possibly believe she's doing us a fucking favour! It makes no sense because I told her I don't want and will not marry Savannah. I thought I made it clear that I wanted her; what the fuck didn't she understand?

I recline on the couch, my Bourbon in hand, and reach for my phone to check the time.

When I realize it's already 2 a.m., I decide to call Jasper, who answers after a couple of rings.

"Arlo?"

"Have you heard anything from Wren's sister tonight?"

"To be honest, I haven't, and it's unusual for her. She usually texts me all night, but she canceled her plans to see me tonight and then never texted me at all.”

As I speak, I grit my teeth with agitation.

"So, do you know where she lives?"

"Yeah, bro, why what's up?"

"Just send me the fucking address."

I hang up the phone and take a big sip of my Bourbon while scrolling through recent text messages between me and Wren.

I think I should contact her for a brief moment until Jasper gets back to me with the address, but I know it's pointless. I know she won't go to her house because she thinks she's smart, but she fucking underestimates me.

I'm bringing her back here, no matter what it takes. She can kick and scream all she wants, but she's about to find out she's fucking mine.

I'm packing my suitcase in my parents' spare bedroom, and I'm feeling a little better after an intense week. Arlo has attempted to call me multiple times, and I feel horrible for not answering even one, but as the week passed, the calls stopped, and I believe that has put light on the fact that maybe he realizes it's for the best and it's time to move on from whatever we were, so I've decided to return home today.

I side-eye Lily while she takes a seat on the edge of the bed with a huff, and I can tell she's not happy about the situation, but who can blame her? She's met someone she likes, just like I have, and I've forced her to break off any contact with him in order to keep her safe.

"Wren, Jasper won't stop calling me and he is threatening to come here."

I stand up straight and raise my eyes to meet hers.

"Have you said anything to him at all?"

"No, I've completely ignored him all week because I know how serious this is, and just so you know, I understand why you're doing this and agree with you. I like Jasp a lot, but we're sisters, and family will always come first."

I toss my pile of things into the suitcase before sitting alongside her, drawing her into me with my arm around her shoulder.

"I'm only doing this to protect you from severe harm. I told you what he said and did, Lil, and he is serious."

"Why don't we just tell them?Perhaps they can help."

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