Chapter 198

Audrey & Edwin Audrey's POV

Edwin's scent was both comforting and tormenting a tossed and turned in bed that night. The sheets felt too tight, the blanket too heavy, the ceiling too low,

No matter how hard I tried to sleep, it was useless. I was exhausted, but it didn't matter. My mind wouldn't shut off-it just kept replaying the past few days on loop. My mother in a hospital bed.

Edwin packing my bag.

My mate's face disappearing in the rearview mirror.

As the hours ticked by, moonlight streaming through the window and casting long shadows across the room, a plan began to form in my mind. I couldn't stay here, hidden away like some dirty secret.

If Edwin wouldn't handle his father, then I would do it myself. Even if it meant Edwin breaking up with me for real, I would rather that than give up my autonomy.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed, my bare feet silent on the cold wooden floor. I began to pack a bag, stuffing clothes and essentials into it haphazardly. I dressed warmly, pulling on layers to combat the winter chill outside.

Finally, with one last look around the room, I took a deep breath before slipping out.

I stepped into the dark living room, my heart pounding in my chest. The cottage was silent, save for the soft ticking of a clock somewhere in the darkness. Good; Peter was asleep. Or so I thought.

I had almost made it to the front door when suddenly, the light in the living room. flicked on with a soft click. I whirled around, my breath catching in my throat.

Peter sat in the armchair, legs crossed widely and eyebrows raised, looking unsurprised to see me. "Going somewhere?"

For a moment, my mouth opened and closed uselessly-there was no doubt in my mind that I looked like a child who had decided on a whim to run away from home.

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Chapter 198

But finally, I found my confidence. I pulled my shoulders back and thrust my chin out. "I'm going home." I declared. "I'm not staying here."

Peter sighed, passing a hand over his weary face. "It's late, Audrey. And it's freezing outside. You can't just walk out into the night.

"I don't care," I said firmly, gripping the strap of my bag tighter. "I'll do whatever I have to, but I'm not staying here any longer. I can't just sit here for Goddess-knows how long and wait for my knight in shining armor to fix everything for me."

Again, I wanted to say, as I recalled all of the times before that Edwin-and Peter, once

to

not to startle me. "I get it, you know. That guilty feeling. I felt that way

by his words. "What

a hand through his hair. Then, quietly, he

"What?"

would take the blame. And our father... he'd beat him for it. I

clenched his jaw, looking away. "Every d**n time," he

I had seen over winter break of a belt being used against Edwin came flooding in as Peter opened his mind to me. I hadn't seen the full

said. "It's okay. I don't mind if

"But Eddie-

your ears

back to the present, my bag now at my feet, knees trembling. That...

tears p**ck at

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Chapter 198

eyes distant. "That's just who Edwin is. He's always been the protector, the shield, even when we were kids, He couldn't stand to see any of us hurt, especially me or Eliza." Tears welled up in

crossed the room in long strides, pulling me into a tight hug. I buried my face in his chest, too overwhelmed

always has a plan, even if it means letting himself feel pain for

For you."

that Edwin would come through on his word. That he would find a way

stood there in Peter's arms, something shifted inside

murmured, pulling back.

my mate always take the fall for

help him," I said, looking up at Peter.

at me, confusion and surprise and finally what looked like a hint of admiration flickering through

in

Audrey's POV

house was completely dark

down my spine as I stepped out of

skin.

he joined me, his breath visible in the frigid

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Chapter 198

CH

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