Chapter 21
Everly
That last scene the dolls witnessed must have been the final straw.
The next morning, after witnessing my punishment, the hallway outside my door is buzzing with activity. Half-asleep and rubbing my eyes, I open the door to see both Sable and Winter tugging things into the hallways.
Possessions, belongings.
"What's going on?!" I cry out, suddenly wide awake.
Sable turns to me, a sly smirk playing on her lips. "We're leaving, Everly," she says, sounding determined yet sad.
Winter, beside her, nods silently, her bob swaying as she bends to pick up a suitcase. Her expression is calm but tinged with a hint of resignation.
I watch as they continue hauling their things into the hallway, still trying to process the scene before me.
"Why are you leaving?" I ask, practically whining.
Sable pauses, her gaze meeting mine. "I realized something last night," she begins, her tone reflective. "After seeing you with Xavier... I just can't do this anymore. Submission isn't in my nature, Everly. I thought I could, but after seeing how much you gave... I just can't go through with it," she admits, her feisty demeanor softening.
I step into the hallway. The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifts from the kitchen, but it doesn’t comfort me. Sable and Winter are actually leaving.
This can’t be happening.
“Wait,” I plead, my voice trembling. “You can’t just leave like this.”
Winter’s gaze meets mine, calm but unyielding. She smooths a hand over her hair, a gesture so familiar it stings.
“Everly, I’ve been in this world a long time,” she says softly. “It’s time for me to move on.”
I shake my head, desperation clawing at my chest. “But you’re my... you’ve been my guide. What am I supposed to do without you?”
Winter’s expression softens. “You’ve grown so much,” she says, her voice tinged with pride. “You don’t need me anymore.”
“That’s not true!” I step closer, my hands trembling. “You’ve been here for me, taught me. What about everything we’ve been through?”
Sable pauses, her arms loaded with a stack of boxes. “We’re not DEAD, Ev,” she mutters. “We’re just leaving.”
But Winter doesn’t laugh. Instead, she sets down a suitcase and steps toward me. “You’re strong, Everly,” she says, her voice steady. “Stronger than you realize. Xavier... he pushes you because he sees it, too.”
I shake my head again, tears blurring my vision. “Why now? Why after everything?”
Winter sighs, her shoulders relaxing. “Because seeing you with Xavier made me realize this isn’t the life I wanted. Not anymore.”
Her words cut deep, but before I can respond, she pulls me into a hug. For the first time, I feel the fragility beneath her ice.
“Thank you for understanding,” she whispers.
I hold her tightly, trying to memorize the feel of her frame, the scent of her perfume, the familiar sound of her voice.
As she steps back, Sable shoves the last of her things into a duffel bag and slings it over her shoulder.
“Later, Everly,” she says with a wink. “Take care of yourself, huh?”
And just like that, they’re gone. I watch other dolls in the house help them with their things, but then it's empty. The hallway feels colder as I stand there, my arms still warm from Winter’s embrace.
How could this happen so quickly?
I step back into my room, the door closing behind me. The weight of the morning settles heavy on my chest as I try to process the scene I just witnessed. Sable and Winter are gone, and the reality of it hits me like a cold wind. I feel a pang of loneliness as I glance around the room.
I begin to get ready for work mechanically. The thought of facing Xavier alone is both thrilling and terrifying. How will he react to their departure?
I can’t shake the anxiety that settles in the pit of my stomach as I try to find him, but he’s nowhere to be found. The house feels vast and empty, and I’m left with no choice but to head to Ember's Glow.
As I walk into the charity, the familiar warmth of the place wraps around me, but it’s muted by the turmoil inside. Max greets me with his usual smile, but it doesn’t stir anything in me. I return it politely, but my heart isn’t in it. The realization is both startling and comforting. I guess I’m no longer the same girl who harbored a secret crush on him.
When did that happen?
I dive into my work, letting the routine distract me from the storm of emotions. But the memory of Winter’s hug and Sable’s wink lingers, a reminder of the bonds I’ve formed and the uncertain future ahead.
The day drags on, each minute ticking by at a glacial pace. I can't focus on the spreadsheets in front of me, my mind wandering back to the empty hallway, to Winter's quiet strength and Sable's fiery spirit. But as the afternoon wears on, something shifts inside me. The ache of their leaving doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would. It still stings, but I don't feel like I'm drowning in it. I realize, with a quiet certainty, that I've accepted it. They're gone, and I'm still here.
That's what sticks with me most. I'm not falling apart. I'm not screaming or crying or breaking. Instead, I'm thinking about Xavier. Wondering if he's okay. If he's hurting as much as I am. The thought sends a pang through my chest. I need to see him. I need to make sure he's alright.
I glance at my watch for what feels like the hundredth time. Almost time to leave. I start packing up my things, my hands moving quickly. I can feel Max watching me from across the room, his kind eyes crinkling with concern.
"Hey, Everly?" he says as he approaches me. "You okay? You've been... distracted all day."
I look up at him, forcing a smile onto my face. It's easy now. So much easier than it used to be.
"I'm fine, Max. Just... a lot on my mind."
He frowns, those warm brown eyes searching mine. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here. I'm a little worried about you, that's all."
My smile widens, genuine this time. "Thank you, Max. That means a lot." I grab my coat from the back of my chair. "But I really need to go."
He nods, though the furrow in his brow doesn't smooth out. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
I nod back, forcing lightness into my tone. "Always."
I grab my bag and practically glide out the door, my feet moving quicker with every step. My mind is already at Xavier's house. What will I find when I get there? Will he be angry? Hurt? Or will he pretend like nothing's wrong, like he always does?
As I step through the front door of Xavier's home, the scent of cooking food envelops me, a savory blend of garlic and herbs that stirs my stomach into a growl. The warmth of the evening is inviting, yet my nerves hum with anticipation. I hurry to the dining room.
Xavier stands there, his back to me, setting down two plates with the clink of fine china. The sight tugs at my heart, unexpected after the emptiness of the house earlier. His shoulders are relaxed, the picture of calm.
When he turns, his smile greets me like a balm. He seems untouched by the morning's events.
What's going on?
"Hey," he says, his voice smooth, as though nothing is amiss.
I set my bag down, my fingers trembling. "Xavier—are you okay?"
He pauses, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Winter and Sable left," I remind him, my voice tight with emotion.
His expression turns thoughtful. "Yes, they did. It was time for them to go."
"But you're not... upset?" I press, searching his face for cracks in his calm facade.
He shrugs, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It was bound to happen. They needed to move on."
I step closer, driven by a need to bridge the gap between us. "But you're not okay, are you?"
He meets my gaze, his eyes steady. "I'm fine, Everly."
He moves closer, his hands framing my face, his touch warm and grounding. "Why? Are you leaving?" he asks, his voice low.
The question startles me. "Of course not," I reply swiftly.
He studies me for a moment, his gaze piercing. Then he nods, a small smile forming. "Then everything is fine."
It is?
"But why?" I sputter, so confused.
Xavier’s hands settle on my shoulders. I look up at him, trying to read the expression in his eyes. The warmth of the room seems to press in around us, heavy and intimate, as he studies me.
“Everly,” he begins, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
My heart pounds out a rhythm that feels too fast.
He takes a breath, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve been thinking... for a while now. About the dolls, about this life I’ve built—”
I frown, my mind racing. “What about them?”
He steps closer, the space between us shrinking until I can feel the heat of his body. “I don’t want to keep collecting them,” he admits softly. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”
The words hit me like a wave, leaving me breathless. “Why?”
“Because of you,” he says, his tone steady but laced with a vulnerability that makes my chest ache. “Every moment with you, every time you let me in, it’s... different. I don’t need them, Everly. I don’t need anyone else. Just you.”
My stomach flips at the admission, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Relief, excitement, and a terrifying sense of responsibility all tangle together until I can’t untangle one from the other.
“You’re saying you want to stop?” I ask, my voice small.
He nods, his jaw tight, as if the words cost him something. “I’ve already stopped. This life, these dynamics—it’s not what I want anymore. I don’t want to share you, Everly. I don’t want to share myself.”
I blink, the room around us blurring as tears well in my eyes. “So... what do you want?”
His hands cradle my face, his thumbs brushing away the first tears that spill over. “I want you,” he says, his voice raw. “Just you. No games, no dolls, no complicated rules. I want you, Everly. All of you. Every part of you.”
The words crash over me like a tidal wave, sweeping me under with their weight. Nothing could have prepared me for the reality of this, for the vulnerability shining in his eyes, for the honesty in his voice.
“And what does that mean?” I ask, my voice breaking as I search his face for answers.
He leans in, his breath grazing my lips. “It means I want you to be my girlfriend,” he whispers, the words softer than I’ve ever heard him speak before. “I want to wake up with you in the mornings and fall asleep with you at night. I want to be the one you turn to, the one you trust. I want to be yours. Will you be mine?”
I feel the dam inside me break then, the tears spilling over as the weight of everything—his words, my fears, my hopes—comes crashing down. I’m crying, sobbing, as I nod, the movement jerky and uncontrolled.
“Y-yes,” I stammer, my voice a mess of emotion. “I’d love to.”
He pulls me close, his arms wrapping tightly around me as I bury my face in his chest. I feel his lips press against my hair, his hold on me unyielding as I let everything out—the pain, the relief, the hope.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I calm enough to pull back, my cheeks slick with tears. His face is inches from mine, his eyes burning with a warmth I’ve never seen before.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he promises, his voice soft.
I nod, believing him, trusting him in a way I never thought I could. He presses a kiss to my lips, soft and sweet, the taste of salt from my tears mingling with the warmth of his mouth. I pull back just a bit. He looks down at me, a question in his eyes.
"But do we have to do away with all the rules?" I ask with a giggle.
Xavier's face splits into a grin, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.