Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
EMMETT
My mom wanted a few days to be alone. Her reaction was completely the opposite of Blair’s , who had clung to me, afraid if she let go she’d end up back in the clutches of the monsters. Sera , on the other hand, was more than happy to be alone.
She wanted her space and time to process the past sixteen years of her life before talking about what happened. I get it. She’s been staying at a cabin our family owns a little ways upstate. The place hasn't seen anyone since before she died…or left?
Needless to say, I’m eager to learn what happened and get some long-awaited answers. I pull up to the cabin and turn the car off. Sitting inside for a few minutes to calm my racing heart before heading inside. My brain still hasn't caught up to the fact she’s alive.
Getting out of my car, I walk to the door and knock before pushing it open, announcing my arrival .
“ Hey , mom. I'm here!” I shout. Fuck , saying that feels weird. It’s chilling, yet comforting. Walking into the home, I enter the living room. The large windows showcase the back porch and the lake further outback. Trees go on for miles, secluding the cabin.
On the back porch, my mother stands in front of a canvas, paintbrush in hand and wildly stroking. I walk towards the back door to make my way outside as a small smile curves my lips.
The sound of the door opening causes her to turn her head, looking over at me.
“ Hi Sunshine .” She smiles. Holding out her arm to me for a hug. I wrap my arms around her and breathe her in. Her smell is nostalgic, taking me back to the time we would hide out in her shed for hours, painting and creating.
I look at the canvas, showcasing a portrait. The image shows the inside of the person's mind. A cement room with a woman in the corner fills its space. My mother’s art has always represented her life, I’m glad she’s decided to return to using art as an outlet. “ I know you said you needed time, but I would like some answers. I've lived the majority of my life thinking you died.” I blurt out, no longer able to bite my tongue.
She gives me a nod as she places her paintbrushes down and takes off her apron.
“ Let’s sit?” She motions to head down to the chairs at the end of the deck. We take a seat, and I look out at the scenery. The calm lake does not match the frantic pounding of my heart.
“ I don’t know where to start,” she admits .
“ How about the women hanging? Who was she?” The question has been on my mind from the moment I found her. I saw her hanging. My eyes didn’t deceive me. A sad look crosses over her face before she speaks.
“ That was my twin sister, your aunt, Sara . She was a drug addict and you had never met her. She was never mentioned because I wanted to protect you from the harms of the world.”
“ The opportunity truly couldn’t have been better for James . I had just discovered what he had been doing around the same time she came by asking for money, again. She was in debt to him so deeply, she had no choice but to pay with her life. James took the opportunity to stage my death. He had sold me off because I threatened to out him. To make sure that never happened, he made everyone think I was dead and sold me to the highest, cruelest bidder. There was no getting out of it. I had to accept it and hope that one day, I would be able to see you again.”
“ I tried to tell you in my note. I was so distraught at the time. I knew what he was about to do. I heard the calls. I knew James was a cruel man, but I didn’t know how far he would go. I was frantically trying to get that letter written and hidden for you, I didn’t even stop to think that it could have sounded like a suicide note.”
She finishes and looks at me, tears shining in her eyes as she reaches out to hold my hand. “ I am so sorry, sweet boy. I never wanted to leave you. I never meant for the pain that this world has given you. I wish I could take it all back, erase it. If I could, I would have killed James far before you could have ever known who he was. I'm so sorry, my sunshine.”
I nod as I follow along. It makes sense, considering how fucking twis ted James was. Yet , it’s hard to not be angry. But I spent so long being angry. At James , at her, at myself, at the world. I don’t want to be angry anymore.
“ I forgive you, mom.”
Her tears seem to fall faster and harder when the words leave my mouth. She squeezes my hand but keeps talking.
“ I heard whispers at the gala about the children that were being taken from Blackwood . Every young face I saw made me think it was James’s doing, and then of you, hoping and praying that you were safe, shielded away from this world. When I saw her at the gala, I heard how she was sold and that someone had started gunfire during her auction, trying to get to her. I thought of how lucky she was to have someone fight so hard for her. And it was you, wasn't it?” She smiles a knowing smile.
“ I didn’t mean to run from her at the gala. I just couldn’t stand to see another young girl being paraded around.” Looking out at the water, it’s silent as we both absorb everything. Her gasp breaks the silence as she turns back to me.
“ James cannot know that I’m back. Oh my god, I've been so stupid. If he finds me, he’ll kill me. He can’t-” I don’t mean to, but a laugh builds in my throat and booms out. It’s not funny, but James will never be a problem for anyone ever again.
“ He’s dead. I took care of him. You won’t need to worry about James anymore, mom.” I watch as relief washes over her features.
“ Oh thank goodness, I was so worried.” Her body stiffens and she adds, “ I’m not happy that’s on your conscience, but someone had to do it. Thank you for stepping up and saving us.”
I nod, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
“ I was actually wondering if you wanted to move back into the house? I can take care of everything. Remove every trace of him from it. We can even knock it down and build it back up, but it’s yours.”
“ That would be wonderful, sunshine. Thank you so much. I can’t express my gratitude enough. I love you, my boy.” The words I thought I’d never hear again wrap around my fragmented heart, securing the final pieces that were loose.
“ I love you too, mom.”