Chapter Eighty-five

Chapter Eighty-five
Two weeks later…

“Pack yours and Rena's bags. We will be heading back to Atlanta tomorrow," Hunter said immediately Mirabella opened her eyes.

The morning sun hadn’t even fully risen yet. Its golden light filtered gently through the transparent curtains, painting the room in soft amber. Mirabella blinked, still trying to come back to reality. Hunter’s deep, steady voice sounded far too serious for that early hour.

She turned on her side, her hair messy and falling across her face. “What?” she asked in a sleepy, husky tone, rubbing her eyes.

He was already sitting on the edge of the bed, one of his legs bent on the bed, the other resting on the floor. His back muscles flexed slightly as he pulled a black shirt over his head.

“We are leaving Maplewood, babe… tomorrow.”

She sat up straight in bed, the sleep in her eyes had now gone completely. She was totally awake now and staring at him like he had grown a horn on his head.

“What… why?” she stammered, looking confused.

Hunter exhaled slowly. He didn’t like delivering news this way, but there was no easier route. “Baby, things aren’t good back home. I need to go back, and there’s no way I’m leaving you and Rena here. We are going back together… tomorrow.”

Mirabella just sat there, lost for words. The shock of his words made everything blur for a second. Tomorrow? That was less than twenty-four hours away.

The past few weeks had gone by smoothly and eventfully. They go to the store, come back home, eat, fuck themselves to sleep. And the circle continued that way.

Aria was still around and would be going back this weekend. Everything was normal until this moment…

Her throat tightened. “Hunter, I can’t just… leave now,” she said, her voice shaking. “I need time.”

He turned to face her, his tone was calm. “You’ve had time, Bella. I let you have it. I let you live the life you built for yourself here. But now I can’t delay it any longer. I can’t keep my family here when things are… uncertain.”

She frowned, hugging her knees. “Uncertain? What does that even mean?”

Hunter ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. “There are things I can’t explain right now, baby. But trust me, I will later.”

Mirabella was still confused and lost of words. She got out of bed and started pacing.

The store. She manages the store. Even though Owen and his wife Dorothy came back last weekend, she still needed time to find someone who would replace her and assist Beverly.

Owen and Dorothy were tourists and they would be going on a new adventure soon, so she couldn't hope for them to put things together at the store.

What about Rena? She was still a child and moving might affect her. Her school. What about her friends? Everyone she has come to love at Maplewood. What about the life she was building for herself?

Though things between her and Hunter had changed, he was more into her, more considerate of her feelings, but does that mean she was ready to let go of everything she has made or achieved for herself?

He walked to her.

“Bella!!!” Hunter shook her shoulder. "Are you listening to me? We need to move babe”

"What about my life here? I can't just leave everything behind just like that!!!" She said, raising her hand in the air.

He took her hands in his. “This was meant to happen. Hell… babe, I was supposed to take you home immediately I found you, but I didn't because I wanted you to live the life you made for yourself a bit longer. But now, even if I want to, I can't leave both you and Rena here. It's not safe leaving you here all by yourself.” He explained gently, trying to get to her.

“But…”

"No more buts Bella. It has been finalized that we are going back home together. Gather what is necessary, bid goodbye to as many friends of yours as you can today… and tomorrow, we are out. Got it?”

She shook her head. “I don’t even know what ‘home’ means anymore,” she whispered.

Hunter cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look at him. “Home is with me, Bella. Wherever I am, that’s where you belong.”

She bit her lip and turned her face away. The truth of his words clashed with the weight of everything going on now. “I just… I need time,” she said weakly.

“There is no time, babe,” he said. “I’ve already finalized everything. Our flight is tomorrow morning.”

She raised her voice. “You decided for both of us! You didn’t even ask how I feel!”

He took a deep breath. “If I asked, you’d say no. And we don’t have the luxury of waiting. This isn’t about feelings anymore… it’s about safety.”

“Safety from what exactly?” she demanded.

His lips pressed together. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he muttered, “From people who might want to use you or Rena to get to me.”

Her eyes widened. “Use us? Geret. Is this about Geret?”

He turned away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bella… I didn’t want to worry you. And this isn't just about Geret.”

Her heartbeat kicked up from fear. “Hunter…”

He turned back to her. “It’s under control. I promise you that. But I’m not risking it. Not with you two.”

She stared at him for a long time, searching for some hint that this was just a mere reason to draw them back. But there wasn’t.

He was dead serious.

“So, you’re saying someone other than Geret might come after us?” she asked softly.

“I’m saying,” he said slowly, “that I don’t want to find out the hard way.”

Silence filled the room. Only the faint chirping of birds outside could be heard.

Finally, she muttered, “I can’t believe this.”

Hunter stepped closer again, his tone softening. “Look, I know this is sudden. But I swear, it’s for the best. We’ll go back, get settled, and you can visit here anytime you want. I’ll make sure of it.”

Mirabella sighed heavily, crossing her arms. “You always have a plan and reason for everything, don’t you?”

He smiled faintly, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Only when it comes to you.”

She didn’t smile back. Her chest felt very tight. “You can’t just ask me to pack my whole life in one day.”

“I’m not asking babe, I’m telling you. Gather what’s important, say your goodbyes, and be ready tomorrow. I’ll handle the rest.”

He brushed her cheek softly, then walked into the bathroom, leaving her standing there in her own thoughts.

The sound of running water filled the room as he turned on the shower. Mirabella just stood there, staring at the wall.

Her mind was running a thousand miles per minute. She still couldn't believe it.