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Goose bumps break out all over my skin as I look at the gate, my stomach flipping when I do, almost as if I’m expecting someone to be there.
My nostrils flare as I stare at it for a minute longer before turning my attention back to the package. I drop the larger box on the floor before flicking my gaze back up to the main house to make sure no lights are on.
Once I know no one will come out, I place the smaller wooden box on my knees, slowly lifting the lid and pulling out a USB drive and a photograph.
The photo shakes in my hands as I look closer, my skin becoming slick with sweat when I see what—or who it is.
Me, Clay, and Izzie, sitting on the sand at the edge of Nate’s lake. The horror I’m feeling at being watched at Nate’s house where I thought we were safe isn’t what has me panicking. No, it’s the fact that all of our faces
are crossed out, only our bodies left that has me fearing for the kids. I stand up, my gaze flicking back to the house as I take a step toward it unconsciously.
Flipping the photo over, my eyes widen. “No, no, no!”
My other hand covers my mouth, trying to muffle my chant as I read the words over and over again: BETH + CHILDREN = DEATH.
This can’t be happening. Oh God, I thought I was protecting them, keeping them safe, but I’m not. I’m putting them in danger simply by being around them. This has to stop. It has to.
I can’t do this anymore. I can’t put the people I love the most at risk.
A plan is already starting to form in my head as I stand up, about to flick the lid of the wooden box closed when my gaze lands on the USB again. Plucking it out, I’m about to grab my laptop to see what’s on it when the back door to the main house opens, causing me to jump out of my skin until I see a head of messed-up blond hair.
“Amelia?”
“Coming, Izzie!” Closing my hand around the USB, I walk to the door of the pool house, watching as she rubs her eyes. “I’m just going to get changed, go ahead and sit at the table.”
“Okay,” she whispers, her sleepy body turning around slowly.
Seeing her sweet little face and sleepy blue eyes, makes the decision for me. I’m not doing this anymore—I won’t be used as a pawn, I won’t allow them to do this to the people I care about.
I run around the pool house, getting changed and brushing my teeth before shoving the USB in my jeans pocket and heading back to the main house.
I try my hardest to act normal, even when Tris messages to say he’s on his way home but that doesn’t make me feel any better because it won’t be long before he’s taking the kids to their art class and I’ll be all alone again.
Alone. The thought terrifies me.
Maybe it’s time I tell Nate: open up to him completely. If I explained it all to him then I know he wouldn’t judge me, he’d help, I’m sure of that.
Making up my mind, I decide that when Tris and the kids have left, I’ll go to him and start at the beginning, telling him everything. Just thinking about telling him about everything that happened six years ago has my palms sweating, but it also has a relief flowing through me I didn’t think I’d feel.
As I stare at the kids eating their breakfast I know one thing is for sure: I can’t be here anymore, not around them.
My fingers are crossed that Tris has sorted things with Harmony because it will give me an excuse for leaving them. It’s going to hurt like hell, but I’ll do anything and everything in my power to ensure Clay and Izzie are safe and protected.
I hear footsteps on the stairs a few seconds after the door shuts, but neither of the kids notice as they continue eating, chatting away. Keeping my focus on them, I allow myself to relish in the time spent with them as it won’t be like this anymore. I won’t be mere feet away and get to talk to them whenever I want.
My eyes widen when I realize I’ll have to cut all contact. Can I do this? Can I really leave them without an explanation? The simple answer is yes; if it means they won’t get hurt, then I’d do anything to keep it from happening.
The door swings open a few minutes later and Tris walks in.
“Daddy!” Izzie squeals as soon as she spots him, jumping down from her seat and running toward him. He catches her, lifting her up in the air before cuddling her to his chest and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Where was you?”
Setting her back down in her seat, he says, “You’re so nosy,” before touching the end of her nose and walking over to Clay, kissing the top of his head.
He moves closer to me, grabbing a cup of coffee and I ask, “I take it that it went well?” Hope tinging my voice.
“We’ll see,” he replies, shrugging as he drinks his coffee.
He looks to be as consumed by his thoughts as I am, so I let the silence rain around us before he breaks it by asking, “You okay to pick them up from art class?”
