Chapter 61

I have spent the entire day here and by now, Tristan was about to come pick me up again.

I hold Maisy in my arms and rock her back and forth as I talk to Jackson.

"So, is the husband picking you up?" He asks with an attitude and I nod at him.

"I was kind of hoping he wasn't around anymore." He casually admits and I can't help but giggle at his statement. "By the way, why don't you come here often? Its gets quite lonely."

"Oh, I-I was busy." I tell him. I hate lying but what else can I say?

"That's fine. Just make sure you drop by more. I like hanging out with you." He smirks at me, snaking an arm on my shoulder as I feel my cheeks heat up. He's being......friendly. A little too friendly.

"Oh... I-I'll see what I can do." I say, turning to Jackson and supporting Maisy's head. Although, once I turn, my eyes meet Tristan's who's stood with Mr Harrison, his eyes witching between me and Jackson.

I quickly stand up, out of Jackson's hold and stepping closer to Tristan.

"Let's go." He emotionlessly orders and I nod submissively.

I put Maisy down and say goodbye to everyone before heading towards the car with Tristan.

The drive was nervously quiet. I know he saw me with Jackson but what I don't know is what he's planning to do.

I sit there, anxiously playing with my fingers and looking outside the window. The pink sky and the sunset captivating me.

"Who was that man?" Tristan breaks the silence in the car and I look to his side.

"H-He's a volunteer." I inform him and I notice him gripping tighter onto the steering wheel. He focuses on the road as I try to read his face which remains neutral.

"I'll be home late. I got work to handle." He snaps, irritation clear in his deep voice as I nod, looking down at my lap.

I'm very disappointed that he doesn't trust me. I have done so many things to assure him that I won't cheat, no matter who the guy is, but he won't believe me. I don't even flirt with anyone nor talk with them in a way that would lead them on.

I had vowed to my husband that I would honour him and I do. I dedicate my time to him and I tend to his needs. Yet, he still gets jealous when he sees me talking to a male.

I admit that Jackson caught me off guard when he held me but I already made it clear that I'm married.

So why is Tristan behaving this way?

***

I get into the house with a disappointed look on my face and Claire greets me.

"Hi, Claire. I'm sorry I can't stay with you down here but I'm really tired and I want to go upstairs." I whine, feeling so tired for some reason.

"Not a problem. Let me know if you need anything." She smiles at me and I smile back.

I head upstairs to my room and take off my rings, placing them on the table. I tie up my hair, wash my face then change into my nightgown and get under the warm covers. Looking at the clock, it's still 8PM so it's pretty early but my eyes are getting weary.

I finally doze off and succumb to my drowziness.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH." A loud scream pierces through the entire house and I immediarely clamber out of the bed, bare footed and going downstairs. It's Claire's voice.

"Claire?" I call out, trying to see through the darkness, only the sound of the thunder and the light of lightening coming through. "Claire, where are you? What's happened?" I yell through the empty house but I get no response.

Rushing over to the kitchen, my heart stops and I yell at the top of my lungs when I see her.

Claire laying on the floor, unconscious with blood leaking out of her head and oozing on the kitchen floor. I immediately start crying and I get on my knees to get a closer look at her. My entire body is shaking and my heart is pounding. The sight of her blood making me nauseaous and on the verge of passing out.

"Claire? Claire, please wake up. Claire?" I keep on shaking her frail unconscious body but she doesn't budge. I lean my head on her chest and I can hear her heart pounding. She's still alive. A rush of relief floods through me as I lift myself up off my weak knees, wiping my tears and going towards the table to get the phone and call for help.

As I was running, I stop when I feel a breeze hitting against my bare skin. I swallow and steadily walk in its direction. It leads me to the backyard's door, wide open. I distincly remember closing all the door before going upstairs.

I wipe my tears and rush to close it. There's a storm out so maybe the wind opened it. The darkness outside is not helping, there's nothing to be seen and I'm alone while Claire is hurt.

Grabbing the handle, I start pushing the door closed but a strike of lightning makes me stop. And that's when I saw it. That's when I saw him.

A silhouette in the darkness, stood by the door and so very chillingly staring at me. I gasp when it steps closer and I can see their face.

The face I thought I'd never see, the face thar haunts me to this day, the face that would so easily petrify me.

"D-Dad?"