Chapter 14 Him.
~Haven.
To me, life isn't even making an attempt to be fair.
………
The sound of the gates closing rang like horror in my ears.
I had finally slipped out of Walter's hands. I had finally gotten away from him… or so I thought.
Not until Father called.
“You’ll be living with Walter,” he commanded.
At first, I thought I’d heard him wrong. It couldn’t be possible. Father had never wanted me anywhere near Walter.
Not for any reason.
And when I questioned him—asked him why he made such a decision—he shut me away, telling me to keep my mouth shut.
He said I was being stupid and that he needed Walter to keep an eye on me.
It made no sense.
Absolutely no sense at all.
I alighted from the car, and the moment my legs hit the ground, my heart raced.
Everything I had sworn to forget came rushing back. The moments with Walter.
The ones where we had sex, the moments where I ran after him begging that he at least say he loved me, the moments where I had hoped he’d just look at me… as his wife.
I sighed, swallowing the lump in my throat.
With my bags in my hands, I walked toward the door.
I slowly turned the doorknob before stepping inside.
Walter.
He stood at the entrance like he’d been waiting for me.
“Welcome home,” he said, a smile on his face.
“Why didn’t you refuse?” I asked, my voice cold. “Why didn’t you say no to him when he asked me to live with you? Why did you agree?” I screamed.
Walter smirked. “Why would I?” he asked.
“Why wouldn’t you? You know, Walter! Everything that happened between us. It’s over! I need to stay away from you and…”
“I made him do it,” Walter revealed, and my heart hit my chest. “I told your father I needed you here, and here you are. It’s easier to have you here. You’ve been running, and it’s kind of hard keeping my hands off you.”
I felt stupid. Walter had no respect for me.
I hated that he thought he could control my life—and that he actually did.
“You think you can just toss me around, don’t you?” I asked.
Walter shook his head. “I want you. And that’s all.”
“But I don’t want you!” I yelled…
I do.
But I don’t want to.
“I want you, Haven, and I don’t think anything is changing that fact. Stop running, Haven… please.”
“Call Father. Tell him you don’t want me here anymore. Wait… how did you even get him to agree in the first place?” I asked. I knew Dad. He’d never agree to something like this—especially knowing it might affect Hannah.
“I know how to get my cake when I want it,” he chuckled.
That smile on his face? It irritated me.
“Just stay away from me, Walter,” I whispered before walking away.
I headed into one of the rooms without saying anything else.
I locked the door behind me, and I couldn’t stop the tears that followed.
I hated that I wanted Walter and couldn’t stop the feeling.
And there I was, in his house. Again.
I knew I needed to forget Walter, but I didn’t know how.
I picked up my phone, only to find a message from Ethan—one I had ignored.
If I couldn’t forget Walter, maybe I could at least replace him.
I pressed the phone against my face, waiting as the dial rang.
“Haven?” Ethan called, his voice laced with surprise.
I cleared my throat. “Hi,” I whispered.
“I’ve been texting,” he said. “But you barely reply. I thought you didn’t want to talk.”
“I’m sorry,” I tried to hide the hurt in my voice. “I was caught up with something and barely had time. I’m sorry.”
Ethan chuckled. “It’s fine. I’m glad you reached out though. So…”
“Hum… I… will you have time tonight? Probably dinner?” I asked.
I wouldn’t lie—I was nervous. And it still felt like Ethan could never replace Walter, but I still gave it a chance.
“Yes, sure. Sure. I’ll pick you up at seven. Is that okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “Sure, sure,” I chuckled nervously before ending the call.
I sat by the mirror, watching the clock tick.
Finally, it was a minute past seven.
I looked into the mirror one more time and took a deep breath.
Nothing over the top.
A red dress, barely any lipstick, light makeup, and my hair straightened.
Sigh.
I slowly walked out of the room, heels clicking gently as I moved.
Then I heard voices coming from the living room.
I rushed down, wondering what had happened, and found Walter fuming with rage.
He had Ethan locked in his hands.
My heart thumped.
“Walter!” I screamed.
“Who’s this, and what is he doing in my house?” Walter sneered, jealousy lacing his voice.
“Walter, what’s all of this? Let go of him! He came to pick me up!”
Walter chuckled before letting him go. Ethan staggered, trying to catch his breath.
“Leave,” Walter ordered.
Ethan didn’t even glance at me. He flared before I could say anything else.
My eyes filled with tears as I turned to Walter. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Why am I doing what, Haven? How the fuck do you expect me to let that thing in?”
“You’re my sister’s husband!” I reminded him.
“So?” Walter shrugged. “So what? It’s not new, is it? We once had a fling, didn’t we? So let’s just pick things up from where we dropped it!” he yelled back.
“Walter, we can’t!”
I sniffled, hating that he made everything so hard. “We cannot. I don’t want anything to do with you anymore, and that’s final! You’ve done enough. First you beat up Harrington, and now this? You’re embarrassing me! Just leave me the fuck alone! That's all I ask.”
Walter took a few steps closer.
His gaze locked with mine. “So, you hate me now?” he asked.