Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
EMMETT
It’s taken some time, but I've finally gotten everything out of my childhood home that held any trace of the rotten soul that was James . Mom said that she’d be fine, that she would be able to clear it out on her own, and that those wounds have healed, but there was no fucking way I was letting her deal with that by herself.
Setting her up in her home, a space she can recreate for herself, void of the memories and pain that haunted that place, was a no-brainer. I do plan on gifting her with something special. The old art shed was burned down with James in it, along with any supplies she had gathered throughout the years.
She insisted on bringing her paints from the cabin but I reassured her she would be able to have a set both here, at home, and at the cabin. Grimm and the guys have been helping me build her a brand new studio from the ground up. The project has been in the works since she was found.
The art studio is about five times as big as it was previously. There’s high ceilings with enough room to display at least twenty pieces of her own art. Floor to ceiling windows line two walls. Most of her pieces are stories, telling the tales of a broken woman, but occasionally she paints nature-based pieces and I want her to have the best view possible.
Inside , the walls are stark white. I left them empty so she could decorate them as she pleases. As a little boy, she told me many times how much she would love to cover our walls in her art and now she can. I hired a team to repaint the inside of the house as well, leaving her with a lifetime of blank canvases to shower her creativity with. We’re solidifying the finishing touches with decor. Sera was never a materialistic person, but I do remember her love for plants. She would place them all around the house. Hanging plants, potted plants, and more. I step back, admiring the work we’ve put in.
Thanking the guys, I gather my stuff and head back to our house to clean myself up. I have a meeting with the new interim dean, Mr . Hamington . They’ve already offered me the dean position once I have the proper education and training, but I declined. It’s not something I want to do. That’s not my path in this life.
Before Blair , I wasn’t so sure. I was accepting that my fate was already hand selected for me by James and there was no way out. The feeling of freedom, of being able to make the choices for my own life, gave me a newfound confidence and genuine excitement for my future.
I reach Mr . Hammington’s office and knock on the door. As if he was waiting on my arrival, the door swings open and he flashes a huge smile.
“ Mr . Blackwood , it’s so nice to see you again. Come on in.” He welcomes me and gestures to the seat across from his desk.
“ Hello , Mr . Hammington , nice to see you as well.” I stride into the room and take a seat. I don’t know him well at all, but his smile is genuine. Growing up around James , I’ve gained the skill of being able to spot a fake from a mile away.
“ I wanted to invite you back to discuss your position as dean. I know you’ve expressed it’s not something of interest to you at this time, but you are the one who is to inherit the school as well as the position. We do have some paperwork for you to fill out to solidify your stance, should you choose to pass up the profession.” He explains, pulling out a manilla folder. Unclasping it, he removes the paperwork and slides it in front of me, placing a pen on top.
“ I can assure you, I do not want the dean position. I have a different agenda for my future that doesn’t involve Blackwood . After graduation, I'll be leaving this place in the past, for good. You or any other eligible candidate is more than welcome to commit to the position,” I assure him. “ Just tell me where to sign.” I finish with a smile. An authentic smile, due to all of the pieces of my life beginning to line up seamlessly.
I've inherited all of the businesses that James owned. Despite what he said, he did leave every single one in my name. The one good thing he did in his sorry ass life.
I don’t plan on keeping a single one, though. The paperwork is being finalized and soon, I’ll be able to live out my own dreams.
The money from his businesses will be going to start my own project. Something positive, uplifting, and artistic. Something I’m passionate about. I purchased an abandoned building a few weeks back and have had a team renovating it from top to bottom, inside and out.
It will house numerous art programs for children of any age and background. Every type of art class and program will be available including pottery and ceramic, art therapy, painting with watercolors, acrylics, and more. We’re even considering having some fine arts programs as well.
I haven’t asked her yet, but I’m hoping Sera will help me run the program. There’s no one more skilled or dedicated to art and children than her. We’ll chalk it up to making up for lost time, but I truly believe she would be the perfect addition to Painted Pathways , where everyone is encouraged to follow their own path and dream. Here’s to living life the way it was intended, filled with joy, happiness, love, and contentment. All things I thought were far out of my reach.
BLAIR
Pulling out my homework, I attempt to focus on the papers in front of me but my mind can't concentrate. Emmett once said he would make me just as obsessed as him, and he was right. My mind keeps switching over to thoughts of him and everything we’ve been through.
I still laugh at the fact that I fell for my fucking stalker. It’s something you’d think you would only read about in books, but Emmett inserted himself into my life and didn’t take no for an answer when it came to claiming me. I didn’t think when I spilt my coffee on him all those months ago, that it would cause the chain of events that led us here .
That was the first domino in the hundred we had to push over.
If you would have told me I was going to come to Blackwood and catch the eyes of a stalker who ended up becoming the other half of my soul, I would have laughed in your face and told you that you were fucking insane. In addition to being kidnapped, sold, and tortured, all within the first year? That would’ve made me withdraw my enrollment and run for the hills, can’t lie there.
I don’t know when it happened. Somewhere between being chased through a graveyard and held through my misery, my heart started to beat for him and him alone.
I might be unsure of what to do with my future in regard to school and if I want to continue my education at Blackwood , but I do know one thing, and that's Emmett . The one thing I’m sure of is him.
Speaking of the devil, I look up from my homework as a knock sounds on my window. The sound no longer scares me as I know it’ll always be Emmett . Rolling my eyes, I push up from my seat and walk over to the glass. Drawing back the curtain, my heart stalls when I see him. I lift open the window, my mouth drops in disbelief.
My stalker is down on one knee outside of my window, a little black box opened in his hands as he smiles at me.
“ Emmett ,” I say, shocked at the sight in front of me. I don’t know what to do besides blink. My pulse accelerates and I rub my eyes, trying to confirm if I’m hallucinating or if this is real fucking life.
“ Come here. It's your turn to crawl through the window,” He says with a wink and a chuckle. My body feels like it's on autopilot as I crawl through my window and stand in front of him.
“ I’m not asking you to marry me, Blair . Because you will. You will wear my ring on your finger. You will be my wife. You will be mine, forever. A shadow is always there, even if you can’t see it. I am your shadow, little obsession. Say yes.”
When I just blink at him in shock, he speaks again. “ I can ask as a formality, if you really want me to.” He says while rolling his eyes, that smirk never leaving his face and those dimples making a grand appearance.
Letting out a small laugh, I step closer to him and shake my head. Fuck formalities. I want Emmett . His crazy, his devotion, his obsession, his sarcastic remarks, everything. He’s captured my heart and holds it with such care and desire, under lock and key.
“ Yes .” The breathy word leaves my lips and there’s no hesitation as he pops the beautiful emerald diamond out of the box and slides it onto my finger.
“ I will follow you to the ends of this earth, even if you can’t see me.” His eyes bounce between mine before he reaches up and pulls me to him, crashing his lips to mine. He’s murmuring against my lips as he kisses me.
“ My obsession drove me to madness and I never want to be sane again.”