C104 Keep An Eye On Her

“Wait,” Annabelle quickly called out to him before he stepped out of the door.

He turned to her with his customary impatient look.

“What?” he asked eventually when she didn’t immediately talk.

“Do you mean we are leaving Stoneraine right now?” Annabelle asked.

“We can leave straight for Acadia,” he said without turning to face her, his voice low and clipped. “You don’t have to see anyone you don’t want to see ever again.”

The words hung heavy in the air, their weight sinking into her like stones.

She didn’t respond immediately as her thoughts were currently in a chaotic tangle.

Seeing her mother again felt like grasping at the remnants of something long broken.

But the idea of leaving Stoneraine without any closure left a hollow ache in her chest.

“I…” she started, her voice faltering before she drew a deep breath. “I’d like to see my mother before we go.”

Dante turned to face her then, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.

The expression he wore wasn’t one of anger.

It was something colder, unreadable as if her request unsettled him in a way he didn’t want to show.

“Why?” he asked bluntly, his penetrating gaze locking onto hers.

Annabelle straightened her shoulders, forcing herself to hold his stare. “I just need to,” she said softly. “For closure.”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak.

The silence stretched and the tension between them seemed as thick as the walls of the room.

“I won’t ask you for anything else anytime soon if you let me do this,” she added quickly, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound resolute.

He studied her for a long moment before letting out a quiet sigh. “Fine,” he said finally. “I’ll take you myself.”

Relief washed over her, but it was fleeting.

The hard set of his jaw told her he wasn’t happy about this.

When they arrived at the house, Dante pulled the car into the driveway.

He stepped out first.

His dark coat caught in the brisk wind as he surveyed the area like a hawk scanning for threats. Annabelle could feel his men’s watchful eyes on her even as she shifted her focus towards the house.

Cathy sat silently beside her and Annabelle didn’t even want to imagine what her sister was thinking.

She had only been able to briskly tell Cathy that they were leaving for Acadia immediately.

She was still not sure of what her sister thought of the sudden departure.

However, she was glad that the girl had not changed her mind about following her though.

“I’d like to go in alone,” Annabelle said, turning to Dante.

He didn’t look pleased.

His gaze flickered toward the house, then back to her.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked his voice low, almost a warning.

“Yes,” she replied firmly. “Even if my father’s in there, I can handle it.”

Dante’s eyes darkened. “You have your gun with you?”

Annabelle’s stomach turned at the implication and a cold dread coiled in her chest.

“I won’t let it come to that,” she said quietly, refusing to meet his gaze.

Cathy’s voice broke the tension. “Can I come too?” she asked hesitantly.

Annabelle turned to her sister, hesitating.

She didn’t want Cathy exposed to any more of their mother’s mess, but her sister’s wide, pleading eyes made her relent.

“Fine,” she said softly. “But stay close to me.”

Dante’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Ten minutes,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If you’re not out by then, I’m coming in to drag you out myself.”

Annabelle bristled at his bluntness but didn’t let it show.

She simply nodded and stepped out of the car, feeling his gaze burning into her back as she approached the front door.

Her mother was in the living room when she entered.

She was seated on the new couch that Dante’s men had changed during the renovation.

Annabelle was surprised to see that the angry look on her mother’s face earlier was no longer present.

She seemed contemplative rather than furious at her.

“Annabelle,” Mauve said, her voice trembling as she stood. “I wasn’t sure you’d come back.”

Annabelle’s eyes swept the room, noting the packed bags in the corner.

Her father was nowhere to be seen.

“I had to,” she said simply, her voice betraying none of the storm inside her.

Mauve sank back onto the couch, her shoulders slumping. “You were right,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I haven’t been a good mother to you. I understand why you want to take Cathy and get as far away from me as you can. I won’t fight you on it.”

Annabelle blinked, momentarily stunned by the admission.

Her mother continued, her gaze fixed on the floor. “I know you’d never do anything to hurt her, and... I trust you to take care of her better than I ever could.”

Mauve’s voice cracked, and for a brief moment, Annabelle felt the faintest pang of sympathy.

“I’m only worried about him and how he might affect you and Cathy,” Mauve added, her eyes flicking toward the window as if Dante might appear. “But your father… he told me Dante would protect you. From what’s to come?”

Annabelle’s brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”

Mauve shook her head. “Just… be careful,” she said, her voice wavering.

“Help me thank him for all these too,” Mauve said as she waved her hands towards the new furniture and the renovated house. “He didn’t have to do it, and I am sorry for what you implied. You are my daughter and even though I wasn’t much of a good example to you when it comes to making decisions, I know you would do the right thing.”

Annabelle couldn’t believe this change in her mother.

She somehow knew her father must have had something to do with it.

She just had no idea why a man who had not cared enough to stick around years ago would show up now to act as the father.

Annabelle wanted to press for more, but the weariness in her mother’s expression stopped her. Cathy stepped forward hesitantly, glancing up at Annabelle as if asking for permission.

Annabelle nodded.

Cathy walked to their mother, her small frame trembling as she wrapped her arms around Mauve.

Tears spilt down Mauve’s cheeks as she held her younger daughter close, whispering, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I wasn’t better for you.”

When Mauve finally pulled back, she looked up at Annabelle with tear-filled eyes. “I hope someday you can forgive me, too,” she said softly.

Annabelle’s throat tightened, but she said nothing.

She wasn’t ready for that.

Mauve patted Cathy’s cheek gently before turning away, and she went towards her bedroom without another word.

The sound of the door clicking shut echoed in the quiet house, and Annabelle was left standing in the middle of the living room with Cathy at her side.

Her mother’s slumped shoulders and defeated air lingered in her mind as she gathered their bags. Was she making the right choice, leaving now?

“Anna?” Cathy’s soft voice broke through her thoughts.

She looked down at her sister’s wide, trusting eyes and knew she couldn’t waver.

Dante was waiting, and Stoneraine no longer held anything for them.

When they stepped outside, Dante was already by the car with his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings.

Two of his men approached and took the bags from Annabelle’s hands without a word.

He gave her a questioning look, and she raised a hand. “Just a minute,” she said quietly, walking toward the neighbour’s house.

Pamela Wieners was already on her porch, pretending not to watch the scene unfolding. Annabelle approached her with a faint smile.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “For everything you’ve done for my mother. Please… keep an eye on her if you can.”

Pamela nodded, her eyes softening. “I’ll do my best, dear.”

Annabelle pulled out her phone and exchanged numbers with her. “I’ll try to send money when I can. Just… make sure she doesn’t want for anything.”

Pamela smiled faintly. “Take care of yourself, Annabelle. Your mother will be fine.”

Annabelle was already turning away before a thought came to her mind and she turned back to Pamela.

"Will you please let me know if... Tad came around?"

"Your stepfather? Sure," Pamela said, even though she looked like she would like to say more.

Annabelle had nothing more to give the woman.

Nor did she have any idea what she would do if Tad really did come back.

Yet, she wanted to know.

She nodded at Pamela and quickly turned away.

With tears threatening to spill, Annabelle headed back to the car.

Cathy climbed in first, and Annabelle followed, casting one last glance at the house.

Pamela stood on the porch, waving gently as the car pulled away.

Annabelle clenched her fists, swallowing the lump in her throat as Stoneraine faded into the distance.