57. Violet
VIOLET
The truth settles between us, heavy and unavoidable.
Drew doesn’t move.
Then he starts pacing.
Like if he keeps moving, he won’t have to sit in it.
“I knew it,” he mutters, dragging a hand through his hair. “I knew something was off.”
I don’t interrupt.
“I swore someone was watching me in Sebastian’s house.” His eyes snap to mine. “That was you.”
“Yes.” I don’t hesitate. Nor do I apologize.
His breathing changes.
“And after we met at the bar…” His eyes close briefly. “When I went to bed. I felt someone there.”
I tilt my head slightly. “I was.”
His face pales.
“I watched you through the window,” I continue calmly. “Then I left.”
His mouth opens, then closes.
"How many times?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I stopped counting months ago.”
He heaves out an audible sigh.
“Does Ivy know?”
“Yes.”
“Callie?”
“Yes.”
He shakes his head, trying to process it. His gaze lands on Luna like she might make more sense than I do.
“And the night I fell…” His voice lowers. “You came running out of the shrubs.”
“Yes.”
The hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen sounds louder than it should.
“I was hiding there,” I admit. “But when you fell…”
His eyes lift to mine.
“I needed to make sure you were okay.”
He swallows hard.
“All of it,” he says, quieter now. “You. You were stalking me.”
“I don’t like that word,” I say. “I prefer—”
“It doesn’t matter what you prefer,” he says quietly. “It’s still stalking.”
The word lands softer this time.
Not defensive.
Not sharp.
Just… true.
He looks like he might pass out.
“You look pale,” I say gently. “Let me get you some water.”
He doesn’t argue.
Just moves, sinking onto the couch like his legs can’t hold him anymore.
I move to the kitchen and fill a glass, giving him a moment alone to process.
When I return, he’s staring at nothing. Lost somewhere between realization and disbelief.
I hand him the glass.
He takes it.
Then pauses.
His eyes flick to mine. “You didn’t put anything in this?”
A small smirk pulls at my lips. “No, Drew. I didn’t drug your water.”
He studies me, still unsure. “Take a drink first.”
I sigh, take the glass back, and drink from it.
"See?"
He hesitates, then drinks, still watching me.
Still trying to figure me out.
Good luck with that.
He lowers the glass slowly.
“All the things I brushed off,” he murmurs. “The weird feelings. The comments you made…” His gaze drifts to the floor. “It was always you.”
“Yes.”
I sit across from him, giving him space.
Even though I don’t want to.
“Since the first time you saved me,” I say quietly, “you mattered.”
His eyes lift to mine.
“I never stopped looking for you.”
His expression softens.
“My mom was in the hospital,” I add. “Plastic surgery. Nothing serious.”
His lips twitch faintly despite everything.
Good.
Ground him.
Keep him here.
“I saw you,” I continue. “And I knew.” My jaw tightens slightly. “Even though you were with her.”
Luna brushes against his ankles, then moves to me, circling between us like she’s trying to keep the balance.
“She never deserved you,” I say quietly.
That part slipped out, but I don’t take it back.
Drew exhales slowly. “This is a lot.”
I tilt my head slightly. “It’s a lot for you.”
He nods, then finishes the water and sets the glass down with a soft clink.
“I need a minute,” he says. “I’m going to use the bathroom.”
“Okay.”
I don’t stop him.
Pushing right now would be a mistake.
I pick up Luna, holding her against my chest as I listen to the soft sounds of the house.
“I had to tell him,” I murmur.
She meows in agreement.
“He’ll come around,” I whisper. “He has to.”
I’m not letting anything come between us.
Not again.
Three minutes pass, and Drew hasn’t come out.
I stand, set Luna down, and head to the bathroom.
“Drew?” I call softly, knocking on the door.
No answer.
My hand rests on the knob.
I turn it.
It’s locked.
I move to the small first-aid kit in the kitchen where I tucked two bobby pins the other night.
Preparation matters.
I return to the door with calm precision. Luna trails behind me.
I slide the pins into the lock, twisting and listening until I hear the click.
I open the door.
The bathroom is empty.
My gaze shifts immediately to the open window.
A slow breath leaves me. “He ran.”
Luna chirps.
“I know.”
I grab my phone, then hurry into our bedroom to change.
“I’ve got to find him,” I mutter.
My screen lights up with a message.
I pause, my heart in my throat when I see Drew’s name.
Only... it’s wrong.
Drew: I need your help. Violet is stalking me. I don’t know what to do.
A few seconds later, another message comes through.
Drew: Sebastian. I need you. I’m on the corner of Elm. Can you come get me?
A smile spreads slowly across my lips.
He texted me instead of his brother.
Poor guy really is flustered.
I type back, “I’m on my way,” hoping he isn’t paying attention to the name on the screen.
I scoop up the car keys he left on the counter and hurry outside to his car.
I’m driving down the road when my phone beeps.
Drew: Violet?
Me: Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon.
I press harder on the gas, racing toward him.
Drew: How do you know where I am?
Me: Because you texted me.
I can practically feel the realization hit him through the screen.
Drew: Dammit. I texted you instead of my brother.
I don’t respond.
Drew: Don’t come after me.
Me: Too late.
Another message.
Drew: I’m calling the police.
I laugh softly, coming to a stop at the stop sign before turning.
He’s not far from here.
I wait a few minutes before responding.
Me: They won’t help you.
Drew: Why not?
My smile sharpens.
Me: Because I’m already here.
I turn the corner.
And there he is, standing on the sidewalk with his phone in hand.
At the sound of an engine, his head snaps up.
His shoulders tense.
Recognition washes over his face as he spots his car... and me.
I roll down his window and lean out slightly.
“Not only are you a terrible stalker,” I say lightly, “but you’re even worse at running from one.”
He just stares at me like I’m something he doesn’t fully understand yet.
That’s okay.
He will.
“Get in the car, Drew,” I say softly.
His eyes flick to mine.
“Or don't.”
He stares at me.
“But we both know you texted me for a reason.”
“It was an accident.”
“Was it?” I hold his gaze.
Because we're not finished.
And running away won’t change that.