Chapter 71 SEVENTY-ONE
"Oh my gosh! I enjoyed every bit of what we did today! Vena was right—Bardabos is absolutely beautiful!" Janice squealed excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat as they sat in a cozy beachfront restaurant, reliving their day's adventures.
"I agree with Nice," Brienne said, rubbing her belly with a contented smile. "We’ll definitely have to come back here," she added.
"Right?" Megan grinned. "I'll give you my card so you can always reach out whenever you visit. And don’t worry—I'll be your guide again. Since you’re friends with Ven, that makes you my friend too," she added.
"That’s so kind of you, Meg," Janice said, touched by her generosity.
They continued chatting, enjoying the delicious local cuisine in the warm, relaxed atmosphere. After their meal, they took a leisurely stroll along the moonlit beach before finally heading back to their villa, the sound of the waves lulling them into a peaceful night.
"Bree?" Janice called softly after settling into the bed beside Brienne.
"Hmm?" Brienne hummed, turning to look at her.
"I know something must have happened to you," Janice said gently, her voice filled with understanding. "But I respect your decision not to tell me," she added. Brienne was caught off guard, momentarily speechless.
"Just remember, you can always count on me. Good night, Bree," Janice continued with a reassuring smile. She reached over and turned off her lamp, plunging the room into a peaceful darkness. Brienne swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Good night, Nice," she whispered. Then, after a pause, she added, "And… thank you."
She pulled her blanket closer, wiping away the silent tears that escaped down her cheeks. She wanted so badly to tell Janice everything—to share the weight of the truth about her disappearance. But she couldn't. She wouldn't drag Janice into Raven’s world.
Raven arrived in Bardabos early in the morning. His first stop was a nearby restaurant, where he picked up breakfast for Brienne and Janice before heading straight to their villa.
He pressed the doorbell, and within seconds, the door swung open, revealing Janice.
"Hi, Nice," Raven greeted with a smile. "Where's Brienne? I brought you guys breakfast," he added, raising the bags in his hands.
"Rave! Thank you for this," Janice said, happily taking her portion. "Brienne's still asleep, though," she added, stepping aside to let him in.
"I’ll be heading out so you two can have some privacy," she said with a teasing smile. Raven chuckled.
"It’s okay, Nice, you don’t have to do that," he assured her.
"No, I insist," Janice said. "Take care of her," she added, taking her wallet and phone with her, and went out of the villa.
Raven closed the door quietly and walked into the kitchen, setting the food containers on the counter. After a long flight, he was finally here. Without wasting another second, he removed his shirt and climbed into bed beside Brienne. Instinctively, Brienne snuggled closer, seeking his warmth. A soft smile formed on Raven's lips as he kissed her forehead, causing her to stir and let out a sleepy moan.
Brienne slowly blinked her eyes open, still drowsy, but the moment she saw Raven smiling at her, her sleepiness vanished. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Good morning, darling," Raven murmured, his voice deep and full of warmth.
"Raven, you're here!" She gasped, her voice filled with excitement. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
"I'm here," he whispered, holding her close. "I missed you," he added.
"I missed you too," Brienne murmured, biting her lower lip as she gazed at him. A hint of worry flickered in her eyes. "But what about your father? Are they really okay with you leaving the pack while he's still in a coma?"
Raven cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing over her soft skin. "It's okay, love. We'll be back tomorrow, remember?" He reassured her.
"Oh, right," she whispered, letting out a small breath of relief. Her eyes scanned the room, suddenly realizing something. "Wait… where’s Janice?" she asked.
"She went out. She said she'd give us some privacy," he explained.
Brienne nodded, feeling grateful for her best friend’s thoughtfulness. She glanced at the clock, realizing she hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and it's quite late in the morning now. Before she could say anything, Raven’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, his tone laced with care.
"A bit," Brienne replied shyly. She started to sit up, but suddenly, she felt a small but strong kick from inside her belly. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively reached for Raven’s hand.
"Here," she whispered, guiding his palm to rest gently on her stomach.
Just a second later, another kick occurred.
Raven's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Woah," he breathed, completely in awe. He kept his hand still, hoping to feel it again. Brienne chuckled, happiness filling her heart.
"Our child recognizes your voice," she said, her smile growing. "Our child probably misses you too," she added.
Raven looked at her, his expression softening. He ran his fingers lightly over her belly, as if trying to connect with their baby even more. After a moment, he hesitated before speaking.
"Do you want to know the gender again?" he asked, his voice gentle. "We never got the chance before… because of what happened," he added. Brienne shook her head.
"I'm fine without knowing until birth," Brienne said with a soft smile. "We'll just have to pick out both a boy's and a girl's name then," she added. Raven studied her face.
"Are you sure you're okay with that?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes.
"Yes," she whispered, leaning into his warmth. For a moment, she let herself relax, but a question lingered in her mind. "Is it really over? Do I finally not have to live in fear anymore?" she asked.
She closed her eyes, and the memories came rushing back—the dark room, the chains, the helplessness. She had feared for her life, but even more, she had feared for their child. Every night, Jasper's cruel, smiling face haunted her dreams. The trauma still clung to her, no matter how hard she tried to push it away. Raven tightened his hold on her, sensing her unease.
"Jasper's dead, darling," he said firmly. "He will never be able to hurt you again. And I swear, no one will ever harm you or our child." He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a lingering kiss against it.
"Derrick is gone too," he continued. "It's finally over," he added.
Brienne exhaled a shaky breath. She wanted to believe it—to truly feel safe again. She looked up at Raven, his eyes filled with love and unwavering promise.
Maybe now—just maybe—she could start healing.