All Chapters of On My Brother's Bed : Chapter 71 - Chapter 78

Chapter 71Astrid’s POVTime didn’t move the way it used to.It didn’t march forward in neat seconds and minutes anymore. It sagged, stretched, and folded in on itself until days blurred into something shapeless and dull. Weeks had passed—at least that was what Talia said, but inside me, everything still felt stuck on the moment I’d walked away.The cottage smelled like damp wood and wild herbs, the kind of scent that clung to your skin and followed you into sleep. It was tucked deep into the woods, hidden behind tall pines and crooked paths.I sat by the narrow window, knees pulled to my chest, staring out at the trees. The wind moved through them gently, like it was careful not to disturb me. My hands rested over my stomach without thinking, a habit that had formed on its own. A quiet promise and a reminder that things was going to get better.That I didn’t want to be found.The thought of Rhett—of his voice, his hands, the way his eyes used to soften when he looked at me still hurt

Chapter 72Rhett’s POVThe phone rang once.I stared at it like it had personally wronged me, my jaw tight, chest already bracing for disappointment. It rang again insistent, slicing through the low hum of the room.I snatched it up.“Well?” I demanded before the voice on the other end could finish breathing.A pause. “No confirmed sightings, boss. Nothing solid.”My grip tightened until my knuckles burned. “So what the hell are you calling me for?”“Just thought you’d want to know we’re still searching—”I ended the call and flung the phone across the room. It hit the wall and clattered to the floor, the sound too loud in the silence that followed.Nothing. Still nothing!Rico sat across from me, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching me like he’d been doing all day and he hadn’t said much.He finally spoke. “You’re going to drink yourself into a grave if you keep this up.”I laughed, humorless. “Good.”“That’s not funny.”“I’m not trying to be.”I dragged a hand down my face and

Chapter 74Astrid’s POVA steady, rhythmic beeping, distant and close all at once, like it was echoing from the inside of my skull. I floated in and out of it, my thoughts thick and slow, my body heavy as if I were trapped beneath water.I tried to move. Something tugged at my arm.“Astrid,” a voice said urgently. “She’s waking up.”My lashes fluttered open, light slicing through my vision, too bright, too white. My head throbbed as the world slowly stitched itself together. The sterile smell of antiseptic that burned my nose.A hospital.Panic surged through me fast.I sucked in a breath and my chest tightened, my hand flying instinctively to my stomach. A sob clawed its way out of me before I could stop it.“My baby,” I croaked. My throat felt raw, scraped hollow. “My baby—”Hands were suddenly on me, warm and familiar, holding me down gently when I tried to sit up. “Easy, sweetheart,” my mother’s voice trembled. “Please, don’t move.”Mom.Her face hovered above mine, pale, eyes red

Chapter 76Rhett’s POVFive Years Later...If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be sitting cross-legged on the bed, a picture book balanced awkwardly in my hands, clearing my throat to do different voices while two small humans stared at me like tiny, merciless judges, I would’ve murdered someone in broad daylight.Yet here I was.“Daddy,” Brianna said sweetly, batting her lashes in a way that was criminal for a five-year-old, “you skipped the dragon part.”“I did not skip the dragon part,” I muttered, flipping the page back with a sigh. “The dragon is right here. See? Big. Scaly. Breathes fire and terrifying.”Aaron, a three years old was sprawled dramatically on his stomach, chin in his palms, frowned. “He’s not scary.”“He’s supposed to be scary,” I argued, rubbing my eyes. “Come on kids, it’s past your bedtime.”“It’s not,” Aaron said confidently. “You promised us one more story.”“I said one more chapter,” I corrected.These little demons. Argh.Brianna leaned closer, h