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TWENTY-SIX
STELLA
He’s gone. I haven’t heard from or seen him in weeks. No one has. At first, I thought it was just a part of his plan to throw me off and make me feel like I was free of him, able to choose how I live my life. But I wasn’t stupid enough to believe that.
This is all part of his plan. To make me relax enough, I’ll slip up and he'll be able to punish me for disobeying him and going against his orders.
Regardless of his intentions, I must admit it’s been a welcome absence.
I took an Uber back to my uncle’s estate, not wanting to bother the girls who were planning a Halloween themed movie night, and unable to get a hold of Elijah. I needed to stop by and pick up the last of my belongings, which were still stored in my old bedroom. I’ve been putting it off, afraid I’d run into my uncle, but with Elijah and I possibly getting married before the end of the year, I couldn’t wait any longer. As I was arriving, though, I saw my uncle driving away.
Actually, I was a little confused when I saw my cousin and Ace racing off before him but thought little of it. After the twins' birth, my uncle seemed to give up on the hope of once again tightening the ropes on Sebastian. After all, he had me now, and the noose tied around my neck was as tight as could be.
My goal was to get in and out of here as quickly as possible and not risk him coming back from wherever he was headed.
Stuffing the two suitcases I brought with the last of my clothes in my closet and dresser, I freeze when I feel something soft tucked in the back of the last drawer of my dresser. Without pulling it out, I know what it is and suddenly I’m more anxious than ever. Unsure if I’m ready for whatever comes next, I hold on to the small velvet box, trying to find the courage to open it and look inside.
Slowly, I stand, pulling the box out and clasping it between my fingers. My heart beats erratically and I don’t know if it’s fear, curiosity, or joy that has it nearly bursting out of my chest.
I move to sit on the edge of my bed, my fingers trembling and turning white from how tightly I’m holding the box in my hands. I want so badly to open it. The only reason I hadn’t opened it was because of what happened between Kai and me the night of my birthday. I wasn’t thinking straight. He threw the box against my bed and took off, angry, hurt, resentful. Then when Elijah came in to check on me, the guilt and embarrassment I felt made me forget about it all together.
I stored it in the bottom drawer, hoping he wouldn't go through it and confront me about not opening it. Once again, I wanted to put my walls up as high as possible. I wanted to feel like what happened didn’t matter. Losing my virginity in front of my fiancé, no big deal. Having my heart ripped out as Kai walked away from me again. Just a fucking Tuesday at this point. He walked away and left a lame ass gift. A gift he later questioned me about, but I hadn’t gotten the courage to open it up and feel disappointed once again.
It is my fault, really. I let myself set the expectations of everything around me so damn high. Hell, a jail cell would be better than the shit I’ve gone through, but the romantic in me always wanted the fairytale love, the beautiful tragic build up, and the happily ever after. I purposely put myself as the damsel of my story because of the trauma I’ve already endured at the hands of my uncle. Cinderella, Snow White, and the modern Rapunzel could all identify with me on the drama trauma could cause.
Grabbing the box, I look at the pale yellow exterior which already has me swooning over whatever trinket is inside and laugh out loud at what a weakling I've been when it comes to Kai. I love him; I adore him, but I won’t be his plaything anymore. I won’t be categorized as the doll he thinks I resemble. A beautiful decor piece to be played with in moderation and kept on a shelf to be left until he desires me once again. I am fucking done.
I take a deep breath to calm myself. This determined independence thing really has me worked up. Preparing myself to be underwhelmed, I open the box.
Looking inside, my heart stops for just a second, before coming back to life the next. I let myself dream for just a half second when I see the world's most beautiful ring. It's beautifully delicate. The band is yellow gold, so light it almost looks white; the sides adorned with filigree that look like intertwining vines. They are so lifelike, I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept growing and encompassed the whole ring one day.
The best part of it is the center canary diamond. Golden, gleaming, it’s cut perfectly imperfect. Wiping my eyes when my vision blurs, I realize I'm crying. My dream engagement ring has been handed to me by my dream husband, and I can’t even bring myself to smile. I know this was his way of apologizing for not wanting to marry me. Knowing him, this enchanting piece of jewelry, is just to hold me over and return to him while he strings me along.
Centering myself, I grab the note it came with and read it over and over again. Trying to let what he is saying to me sink in. It’s right here in black and white ink. Kai’s letting me know exactly what I need to, and my heart is breaking because my choice has already been made for me. I know what I need to do to move on with my life. Malachi Saint just gave me the road map for the rest of my life with that one fucking note.
I shut the box, wipe my tears, and call up Elijah.
It rings once and Elijah immediately picks up. “Little Dove, I was just on my way to you. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m okay. I was just wondering if we could talk when you get here?” My voice is breaking, and instantly I know he’s going to suspect something is wrong.
On the other side, Elijah takes a deep breath, his tone dark and solemn. “We need to start now. Go lock your door and don’t answer it to anyone except myself or Kai. Got it?”
An icy shiver runs through me, and the feeling of dread instantly sits in my stomach. “Elijah, what is going on?” I ask panicked. “Why were you already coming over?”
He takes another deep breath. This time I know he’s contemplating giving me the truth, or one of his half-truths. “Your uncle is missing. He kidnapped Jade and the twins, fucked her up pretty bad, but they are safe now. Bass and Ace just got everyone back home, and Zeke briefed us on the basics.”
“He kidnapped them!” I cry out, “What the hell are you talking about, Elijah?” Now I’m in full panic mode. Visions of my babies, crying, hurt, and scared, flash in my mind. Jade must have been hysteric, terrified something was going to happen to them.
Yet all those feelings are quickly taken over by one I’ve been feeling a lot of lately.
Rage.
The fucking bastard kidnapped my niece and nephew.
“I promise you they are all okay, but you are in danger, Stella. Stephan has nothing left. Jade was going to be his prized piece to sell off with the twins. Lots of people are expecting payment from him and he’s got nothing else to lose. He’s broke Stella. No money to save his ass, so he's going to find another form of payment.”
At that moment, the realization hit me, and I almost laugh at how ironically poetic it is. The one thing he despises most and hates that he was left with is now all he has left. “That would be me, huh? I fucking hate him so much, Elijah.”
