บททั้งหมดของ Pathetically Beautiful : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Willow's POVI sat in the lounge, my eyes glued to the case that my brass father had given me, which was on the coffee table in front of me. I'd been sitting here staring at it since I'd returned from my meeting with him. I have never liked guns. I hate the idea of something that can take away a life so easily, but with what I was getting myself into, a gun was something I was going to most likely have to use one day. The door creaked open, and I heard the familiar sound of Dillon's footsteps. He was like a shadow, always nearby, always watching. But today, I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge him. My eyes were glued to the case in front of me, my mind a tangled mess of thoughts I couldn't quite untangle."Is everything okay?" Dillon's voice broke through my trance, soft yet filled with concern.I finally looked up, meeting his worried eyes. "Everything's fine," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. I shifted my gaze back to the case, the lie hanging in the air between us. But I

Brax's POVThe sound of the front door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts. The light-hearted banter between Kasey and me died down as I turned to see Dillon stepping into the room. His face was a mask of forced nonchalance, but I knew him too well. Something was off.Then she appeared.Willow stood in the doorway, her eyes searching the room before locking onto mine. My heart clenched, and an almost imperceptible distance seemed to close between us. Everyone around us faded into the background, and it was just her and me, caught in a moment suspended in time.I took a step forward, my voice caught in my throat. "Willow," I managed to choke out, the word heavy with all the emotions I'd bottled up.She hesitated for a second, her eyes flicking briefly to Dillon, and then back to me. "Hi, Brax," she replied softly, her voice a fragile thread that held so much unspoken weight.I wanted to run to her, to hold her close and reassure her that everything would be okay. But I could see

Willows povSteve's footsteps eventually faded away, leaving behind an oppressive silence. My breath came in ragged gasps, the adrenaline surging through my veins making my hands tremble. I pressed my palm against the throbbing cheek, willing myself to regain composure. If I faltered now, everything I had worked for would be in vain.I glanced at the mansion, its intimidating silhouette casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and cling to every corner of my existence. In the fading light, it looked more like a fortress of grief rather than a home. But it was still my battlefield, and I was ready to fight.Turning back to my little flat, I picked up my backpack and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me. The small apartment felt stifling, but it offered a temporary reprieve from Steve’s wrath. Walking to the tiny bathroom, I turned on the tap, letting the cold water run over my hand before splashing it onto my face. The icy sting helped clear my mind, momentarily washing

Willows povThere she stood, my mother, a glass of red wine clutched in her hand. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinising me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.I swallowed hard, my mind racing to find an excuse. "I was just... looking for some paper for a school assignment." My voice sounded weak, even to my own ears. My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure she could hear it.She took a step closer, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Really, Willow? You think I’m that stupid?" Her tone was mocking, dripping with hostility.I tried to maintain a calm facade. "Yes, Mum. I... I just needed some paper." I moved to walk past her, hoping to escape her grip, but her hand shot out, grabbing my arm and stopping me."I know you're lying. Now tell me the truth." Her grip tightened, nails digging into my skin. Her face loomed close, the smell of alcohol heavy on her breath."Let go of me and mind your own business," I shot back, the fear in my voice replaced with defiance.Her eyes widened fo

Willow's POVI heard a bang at the door, followed by Nat's unmistakable voice."Willow! Let me in!"Before I could react, Nat burst into the room, her arms overflowing with an assortment of dresses. Her excitement was palpable as she dropped the load on the couch and yanked a suitcase into the flat."Oh my gosh, Willow! I'm so excited that you're coming tonight!" Nat beamed. "I brought so many dresses for you to try. Tonight’s going to be magical!"I raised an eyebrow, unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm despite my roiling emotions. "I don't know, Nat. I’ve got a lot on my mind."Nat waved her hand dismissively. "Not tonight, you don’t. Tonight, you’re going to be the belle of the ball."She opened the suitcase, and we spent the afternoon sifting through dresses. Each one was beautiful, but none of them felt right. The more we went through, the more my anxiety grew.Nat handed me the last dress with a triumphant smile. "Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with this one."It