His Ruthless Revenge (A Dark Bully Romance)

Chapter Thirty Nine

My heart's still thumping by the time I get back home; closing the front door behind me as I lean against it. My eyes closed as I try and catch my breath.
"April, is that you?" Mum calls out to me from the kitchen.
"Yes, it's me." I reply gravely, forcing myself to appear normal for a few moments.
"You're home early." She observes curiously, entering the hallway.
"The friend I planned to meet up with didn't feel well." I tell her, hoping she won't see through my blatant lie. "So I came home early."
"That's a shame. I know you were looking forward to it."
"I'm actually pretty exhausted so I'm going to have an early night like you suggested earlier."
"Good idea." She agrees warmly. "Sleep well, Sweetheart."
"Night, Mum."

I make my way upstairs and reach for my phone, switching it back on again as I climb into bed. I haven't checked it after turning it off earlier and  decide to finally read Finn's message he sent me.
Staring at my screen for several seconds, my eyes quickly fill with unshed tears as I'm instantly consumed with guilt and despair.

April, please talk to me. I miss you and I'm sorry. Please come home and we can work things out. I'm really worried about you.

I love you, Finn X

I re-read it several times, putting my hand over my mouth to stifle my sobs. All I want to do is break down and cry but know I can't in case mum hears me.

I can't lose control now.

Burying my face in the pillow instead, I weep silently, sobbing until there's no tears left and I'm completely exhausted.

I choose to stay in my room for the next few hours; deliberately avoiding my mum and the inquisitive questions I won't be able to handle.

Deciding to go downstairs once she goes to bed, I make myself a milky drink before trying to get some sleep myself.
I'm curled up on the armchair by the fire and staring into its flames as I try and get my head around this afternoon and what nearly happened between me and Chase.
I'm still struggling to understand how I could even think about betraying Finn like that. I've no idea what kind of person that makes me or how I'm supposed to deal with the shame of it.
A noise from the hallway suddenly startles me and I hold my breath... frozen in fear. It sounded like someone put something through the letterbox but I must be mistaken?

What the hell was it?

I glance at the clock to see what time it is and observe that it's after midnight already.

That in itself is unnerving to me

My feet tip-toe across the room and I notice an envelope peeking through the letterbox. My hand is hesitant but still reaches for it, spotting my name on the front once I grab hold of it.
Deciding to take it back into the living room with me, I sit by the fire once again and open the letter with trembling hands.
Something falls out of it and onto my lap which takes me by surprise. It's a heart shaped necklace but it looks like it could belong to a child. It's pink and actually made of plastic which confuses me even further.
I hastily open the note inside the envelope in the hope it will provide me with some answers.

April, this belonged to you sixteen years ago and it's time I gave it back. I've cherished it every day and  hope it helps you realise how much you've always meant to me.

I will always love you.

Chase X

I frown at the locket, holding it in my hand as I search my mind for an explanation. It's as though the answer is lurking back there somehow but I'm struggling to locate it.
It's something I've managed to suppress for so long, it's now struggling to resurface.