C46 Like She Truly Mattered

The journey back to Acadia was silent except for the rhythmic hum of the car’s engine.

Annabelle sat in the back seat with Cathy cradled against her, the little girl gripping her like a lifeline.

Every few minutes, Cathy’s trembling fingers tightened around her sister’s arm, as if checking to make sure Annabelle was still there.

Annabelle kissed the top of Cathy’s white-streaked hair, her heart aching. “I’m here, Cathy,” she whispered softly. “I’ve got you, and I’ll never let go.”

Cathy didn’t respond, but she nestled closer, her body still stiff with tension.

Annabelle felt every flinch, every deep breath her sister took, and it broke her in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

She caught Dante glancing at them, his dark eyes unreadable.

For once, his silence wasn’t frustrating, it was comforting.

The headlights swept across the imposing gates of Dante’s mansion as they pulled into the estate. The tall, wrought-iron gates swung open, revealing the massive structure illuminated against the night sky.

Annabelle saw her sister’s eyes. Cathy’s eyes widened as she took in the grandeur.

But then she said nothing, clutching Annabelle even tighter.

As they stepped out of the car, Cathy’s gaze darted nervously to Dante’s men stationed at various points around the property.

Cathy’s breathing quickened, and her small fingers clutched Annabelle’s hand with renewed force.

Annabelle crouched slightly to reassure her. “We’re safe here, Cathy,” she said gently. “No one will hurt you again.”

Cathy didn’t respond, her wide eyes fixed on the guards.

Annabelle straightened, squeezing her sister’s hand as they entered the mansion.

The warmth of the interior was a stark contrast to the cold night outside, but it didn’t ease Cathy’s obvious discomfort.

It wasn’t until they were behind the closed doors in Annabelle’s room that Cathy finally spoke.

Her voice was barely more than a whisper as she asked again, “What about Shane and Dawn, and others, Anna? They are not here.”

Annabelle assumed Shane and Dawn were the kids she had her arms around the other time.

Annabelle’s heart clenched.

She crouched at Cathy’s eyes, brushing a strand of dirt-streaked hair from her face.

“They’re safe too,” she said.

“Do you know where they are?” Cathay asked with worry in her tone.

Annabelle had no idea, and she didn’t want to lie to her sister, “Not at the moment, but I am sure they are fine. I will ask Dante about them later, okay?”

“Is he a nice person?” Cathay suddenly asked.

Annabelle blinked before she realised who Cathy was asking about.

She nodded without hesitation, “Yes, he is a good person. He helped me find you.” Annabelle said in a heartfelt tone while trying hard to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.

“I’ll make sure your friends are taken care of, I promise.” She added quickly to prevent the thought that was tugging at her mind.

Cathy studied her sister’s face for a moment before nodding hesitantly.

Annabelle’s heart broke all over again because of the guarded look in the eyes of her trusting sister.

Oh God.

She soon guided Cathy to the en-suite bathroom, turning on the warm water and helping her undress.

The sight of the bruises and grime on her sister’s thin body made her stomach churn, but she kept her expression steady.

Cathy didn’t need to see her falling apart.

“You’re safe now,” Annabelle murmured, running a washcloth gently over Cathy’s small frame. “Nothing bad will happen to you here.”

Cathy’s eyes stood fixed on the tiled floor, her silence heavy with unspoken fears.

Afterwards, Annabelle helped her into a soft nightgown and brought her to the small table where a tray of food awaited.

Cathy picked at the meal, her appetite seemingly diminished, but Annabelle coaxed her into taking a few bites.

When Cathy finally yawned, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion, Annabelle led her to the bed and tucked her in.

Then she sat on the edge of the mattress, stroking Cathy’s honey-blond hair until the girl’s breathing evened out into the steady rhythm of sleep.

The sight of her sister finally at peace should have brought relief, but it only deepened the ache in Annabelle’s chest.

The room suddenly felt suffocating.

Annabelle slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Cathy as she walked quietly to the door.

She barely made it into the hallway before her emotions overwhelmed her.

Tears blurred her vision, and she leaned against the wall, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps.

Her mind raced with everything that could have happened to Cathy.

Everything she hadn’t been there to protect her from.

Her heart ached with the knowledge that her sister had been forced to endure horrors that no child should ever face.

She pushed off the wall, needing space, needing air.

Her footsteps were silent on the polished floors as she walked towards the door that led to her favourite place in the mansion; the gardens.

Her tears flowed freely now, hot and relentless, and she barely registered where she was going.

Turning a corner, she collided with something solid.

“Annabelle.”

Dante’s deep voice cut through her haze.

His hands steadied her shoulders, his grip firm but not harsh. Her tear-filled eyes blinked up at him, and for a moment, she was too stunned to speak.

“I...” she began, her voice cracking. She tried to sidestep him, desperate to get as far away from him as possible so she could break down in private, but Dante’s hand shot out, catching her arm.

“Annabelle?” his question was evident in his low but commanding tone.

“I need...” Annabelle’s voice wavered, and she shook her head, her tears falling harder. “I just...I...need to be alone.”

Dante’s grip didn’t loosen. His dark eyes searched hers, their usual intensity softened by something almost… tender.

“No,” he said firmly.

Her brows furrowed, and she tried to pull away again, but he held her fast. “Please, let me go, Dante.”

“Not like this,” he replied, his voice quiet but resolute. “You don't have to hide your tears from me, you know.”

Annabelle’s heart pounded as she met his unyielding gaze.

The weight of her grief pressed against her chest, and for the first time, she felt like she might shatter completely.

But Dante wasn’t letting go.

His hand remained steady on her arm, anchoring her in place, forcing her to face him and the emotions swirling between them.

The hallway was silent except for her unsteady breath and the steady beat of his presence.

She tried. Oh, she tried, but she just couldn't hold back the full extent of her grief and fear.

Not when he was looking at her like that.

Almost like...like she truly mattered.

Annabelle barely registered his arms wrapping around her as she broke down in a soul-wracking sob.