Embry’s POV
It had been two weeks since Jonathan had confronted me in the kitchen about who I was. Two very peaceful weeks. Well, as peaceful as my life could ever be in these circumstances I suppose. Noah had been sticking to his promise and I felt myself growing a little saner than I had been while stuck in the basement.
I was achieving more freedom. Well in a certain sense. More freedom over my thoughts, slightly so in my actions to a small extent. Such as no longer having to ask permission to go outside and not having to second guess everything that I did. He was here and I was here and to me, we just happened to be here together.
“Everything okay little bug? You seem to be very in that head of yours” Noah questioned, taking the space on the couch beside me and lifting my legs onto his lap. Coming back to reality my eyes met his, “yeah, just thinking is all” I gave a small smile, turning my head back to the TV. We had started a show called Lost. Noah had picked it and I must give credit where it is due. So far it was very interesting and for the first time in a while I found myself looking forward to watching a series.
“I swear to God if he dies, I’m never watching any show you pick ever again” I shook my head, anxiously waiting for the moment of anticipation to end and for my emotional support character to be alright. “You’re only saying that because you think he’s good looking” Noah gives me a side eye as I make a guilty facial expression.
“Ooo, well I mean, you’re not exactly wrong” I shake my head, flashing him an innocent smile. “You know, I think he looks quite like me” he proudly announces as I widen my eyes in mockery. “Don’t flatter yourself buddy” I laugh out, turning my head from the screen to him.
I could see a snarky remark forming within his mind, I could always tell by the glint in his eyes when one was coming. His mouth had opened ready to set his words on me before he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Jonathan. “I’ll get it” I said nonchalantly, feigning that there was no ulterior motive and as if it was simply an act of kindness on my behalf.
“Don’t unpause it until I get back” I warned, making my way towards the back door. “Hi Jonathan” I greeted opening the door for him. Shuffling over to the sink I turned on the water, a tactic I used to lessen the chance of Noah hearing my conversations with Jonathan without making him suspicious. He would just think we were washing the fruit and vegetables.
“Hi Mrs Hill” he smiled, giving me a knowing look while placing the crate on the counter. Moving to stand beside him I began unpacking the groceries, “did you look into it for me?” I whispered keeping my eyes focused on the counter, my palms getting sweaty as I feared what answer he would have for me.
“Embry I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s something you’re going to want to hear” he frowned sympathetically and at that moment I already had the answers I was looking for. Someone was dead.
Three days ago…
My stomach ached at the heavenly scent of the soup that filled the kitchen. “All we need now is for Jonathan to drop off the fresh bread within the hour” Noah smiled, brushing my hair away from my face as he took the seat at the table across from me.
“How is it that you just get more beautiful every day, hmm?” He questioned sweetly, my nerves sitting heavy at the pit of my stomach for me to take much notice of the compliment. “Noah, can I ask you a question?” It came out as more of a whisper than intended.
“Of course you can Embry, you can always ask me any questions you have” he had been making more of an effort since he made that pinky promise in his office. I think the seriousness had shook him up a bit. Good.
“It’s about what happened on Christmas day” I cautiously started, waiting for any reaction that suggested I should just drop it. He reassuringly nodded as I contemplated how to phrase the question I had been putting off for a while.
“Well, you made- you made a comment about my parents and I just wanted to ask you about it” my teeth bit down on the inside of my cheek waiting for the next words to come out of his mouth.
“I was lying obviously, I just wanted to hit your weak spot, it wasn’t a very noble moment of mine but it was what it was, that’s all” he nodded as I sat back in the chair. That’s all. I couldn’t help the creeping suspicion of his reply. It was very rushed, very weak. If there was anything I knew about Noah it was that he was very sophisticated speaked when he wanted to be. And that, well, that was far from his usual method of answering.
I noted how his eyes flitted from mine, he looked guilty. It was that moment I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me, but Sebastian had said he was lying. I suppose at some point I’d have to admit that Sebastian might not be the best source of information either.
“I’m going to grab the rest of the laundry from upstairs, keep an eye on the soup, okay?” He regained his composure, dotting a small kiss on my forehead before striding up the stairs. My brain was racing with thoughts about what I should do, and then suddenly my answer appeared right outside the door.
Jonathan. In he walked with the crate of bread and other foods, flashing his usual polite smile. “Good day ma’am” he nodded as I quickly got up and headed towards him. “I need your help with something” I whispered, placing the strawberries and apples in a bowl and filling it with water. With the tap running and my eye on the doorway I continued.
“My parents, can you find out if they are okay for me please” my eyes full of desperation I turned to him, receiving nothing but a small nod but it was enough. “I have another delivery in three days, I will see you then” he remarked, quickly taking his leave.
Present time…
“Embry I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s something you’re going to want to hear” he frowned sympathetically. “Before I tell you, you need to be prepared, you can’t act irrationally after I tell you what I’m about to, you need to be smart with the information” he warned, lifting his head to check for Noah’s presence.
“Your mother, well, your mother passed away Embry” the words left his mouth all at once and yet it felt like they took an eternity to meet my ears. My hands grabbed onto the counter, my knees no longer feeling as strong as they should. I could feel the pain physically, it was all too physical.
My mom. My mama bear. The woman who gave birth to me and raised me. Our relationship wasn’t perfect but it was what it was, it was ours. And now, well now it’s just mine. The pain was there for a couple more minutes than I would have liked it to be, but once the blaring fuzz of my brain cleared, came the anger.
It burned on the surface of my skin, consuming every cell in my body. “Was it him?” I spit out, “did he kill her?” The burning hatred filled my eyes as I stared at Jonathan awaiting answers. Despite the anger, the tears continued to fall and my heart continued to pinch within my chest. It felt like everything was crumbling around me. Like the world was being turned upside down and everything that seemed to exist in perfect harmony with me before was gone. Stolen from me.
“She” he began but hesitated with his wording. “Tell me. I need to know” I begged, my hands now clutching onto the fabric of his jacket. “She killed herself just before Christmas. I’m so sorry Embry” he frowned, wrapping his arms around me.
There it was again. Those words. Killed herself. She killed herself? How? Why? Why would that happen? The sobs that escaped me were piercing, consuming every inch of my being. No longer was it a thought in my mind to stay silent from Noah. Because this was his fault. He did this, if he hadn’t taken me. If he hadn’t taken me.
She would still be alive. She never would have felt like that. My poor poor mother. And he had the nerve to bring it up. I was going to kill him. I wanted to kill him.
“My dad, is he okay?” I cried out soaking Jonathan’s jacket with the saltiness of my tears. “He is healthy from what I can see through my research” he reassured. But I knew by the way he phrased it, how could any man truly be okay after losing both their daughter and wife to suicide. How could anyone be okay after Noah Hill infiltrates their life.
And so I made the decision right then and there. I was going to kill him.
I was going to do it in the most painful way I could think of.
I was going to remove myself from his life. And make sure he never gets the satisfaction of having me there with him
Ever again.
“Embry?” I looked up through my blurry vision to find his concerned face looking down at me. How insulting. “Get away from her Jonathan, what happened?” I could see the anger building within him. Turning towards him I looked him dead in the eye. “Did you know my mom killed herself?” My tone was dull as I inched towards the counter, my fingers reaching for my desired object.
“Did you tell her, you bastard” he turned towards Jonathan, he was seething. Well, so was I Noah. “Look little bug, I was protecting you from it, I knew it would break you down, I didn’t want you to suffer in that way” he turned to me, taking slow steps towards me.
He finally rounded the corner of the counter to face me. “I’m leaving you Noah, and there is nothing you can do to stop me” my face was full of hatred. “I know you’re upset Embry, but don’t be stupid” he warned, standing in front of me, blocking my view of Jonathan. “Stupid, STUPID, you’re the only stupid one here Noah if you think I’d willingly stay with you after everything you’ve done” I scowled.
“You’re just an insecure boy with daddy issues Noah, and I hope from the bottom of my heart you suffer immensely in prison where you will rot until you’re finally sent where you truly belong, hell.”
My face swung to the side with the impact of his hand, of his slap. He hit me. I let out a maniacal laugh, as my hand clutched onto the handle of what I had been trying to get a hold of before. The skillet.
“You broke your fucking promise” I spit out as I lunged at him, swinging my hand towards him.
I’ll see you in hell Noah.