Page 18 of His Wicked Revenge

Dad walks through the front door first, kicking his shoes off to the side before I step into the house for the first time in three years. A wave of mixed emotions hits me once I step through the threshold—sadness, anger, grief.

There are murmurs from the kitchen, and the television is on in the living room. I stand still in the entryway. The last time I was in this house, my mother died right beside me.

For the past three years, I’ve tried pushing it from my mind because I couldn’t bear the reminder that she was gone. I also couldn’t deal with how disappointed in me she must be. There were nights when I couldn’t sleep, and I allowed myself to cry silently at the thought of the loss of her.

Now, though, standing in my childhood home, where I grew up, loved my family, and watched my mom wither away to nothing, the guilt hits me hard.

I know I shouldn’t have shoved my mother out of my mind the way that I did. I should have sat there in prison in sadness as I served my punishment.

The laughter from the kitchen pulls me from my thoughts, and I realize Dad is already halfway down the hall. I take off my shoes, tucking the small journal into my back pocket before heading towards the kitchen.

When I turn into the doorway, the laughter stops. Chloe rushes me and practically jumps into my arms. I lose my balance and stumble backward, but I catch myself on the wall so we don’t fall.

“I’m so happy you are home!” Her arms wrap around my neck, squeezing hard enough to make me lose my breath.

“Me too.” I hug her tighter before finally letting go.

Myles makes his way over with a huge grin. “Man, I’ve missed you!”

I laugh as we clash together for a hug. “You literally saw me last week.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t miss you!” Myles visited me once every two weeks immediately after that first visit with my dad. He would come to see me, and we would bullshit like nothing was different between us.

“I’ve missed you, too.” I smile at him once we separate. Glancing at the island, I see an array of tacos waiting for me.

Smirking, I glance up at my father, who is grinning ear to ear. “So strange.” He laughs. “It’s like I know my own son.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I take a taco from the plate, not hesitating to bite into it. My eyes shut at the flavors I’ve been missing for the past couple of years.

Stale bread and unseasoned food had been my diet. Eating this taco… it’s as if I’m being reintroduced to food again. As I grab another one, I look at my sister watching me.

Chloe hasn’t taken her eyes off of me since I stepped into the room. Her smile is full and warm as she watches Myles and me. Tears brim her eyes, the light brown glistening under the kitchen light.

“Chlo, don’t cry.” I tilt my head to the side with a frown.

She lifts her hands, the tips of her fingers brushing away the few tears that escaped. I don’t miss how the engagement ring on her finger sparkles when the light on the ceiling hits it just right.

“They are happy tears, I promise.”

“Good. No more being sad for me. I’m out, and I’m never going back there.” I chuckle. Chloe nods, placing a hand on her stomach. My eyes drop to the spot where it is resting. “Now, is there anything else I missed since last I saw you guys?”

Chloe and Myles share a glance, which is followed by a nod. My father, who has remained quiet this entire time, smiles genuinely. Myles walks over to my sister and wraps an arm around her waist.

Once more, they glance at each other, and then Chloe turns to me and announces, “We’re pregnant!”

My eyes widen, my jaw drops, and I think I might start crying tears of joy as I rush over to them. “What? That is amazing, you guys!”

I hug them both simultaneously when I hear Chloe say, “We were going to wait until after the wedding to start trying, but it just happened.”

“My swimmers are strong and couldn’t help themselves,” Myles jokes as we part.

I shake my head with a laugh. “That’s good to know, man. You guys know you didn’t have to wait for me to come home to get married.”

One day, when Chloe visited me, she was wearing her ring, which she attempted to hide. She didn’t mention having it on until I asked her about it. She was worried that I wouldn’t be happy for them, seeing as she is my sister and he is my best friend.

My mother was right, though. It doesn’t matter what my relationship with them is; they are perfect for each other.

“Uh, yes, we did! How am I supposed to get married without my best friend standing by my side?” Myles looks offended that I even suggested they have the wedding without me. “Plus, you need to be there for Chloe.”