A Fresh Ending

Chapter 9

(Y/N's POV)

I cried myself to sleep the next few nights, trying to figure out what to do about Steve and all my feelings. I did love the man, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. I wanted to keep my distance from Steve, but it was hard. He was everywhere I went, pleading with me to trust him. He wanted the privilege to care for me, proving that he did love me.

I told him each time I needed more time. Being with him meant giving up everything. I had to come to terms with leaving my life behind, even if there wasn't a chance of ever returning. I needed to deal with taking the lives of 3 women. Plus, I still didn't know if I could forget about Steve being married while saying he was in love with me.

I sighed, gazing up at the ceiling of my room, the sun peeking through my curtains. I continued to think about what my life could be if I let Steve in. I wanted to believe that he would take care of me. But didn't want to live in fear of him one day becoming bored and turning me into a meal.

"Fuck!" I expressed, pulling myself from my bed, and opening the curtains.

The sunlight filled the room, warming it immediately. It was a beautiful fall day. I would go for a walk later that day, knowing the weather would soon be too cold to be outside. I turned to grab clothes from my closet, finding a note on my dresser. I slowly picked it up, knowing it was from Steve.

My Sweet Girl,

I will be gone for a few days. I have to undergo surgery later today, and I need some time to recover. I wish I could be there with you. Your company is more desired than any nurse that will attend to me at that dreaded hospital. Know each day that I am gone, I will miss you.

While I am gone, Alec and Ms. White will attend to your every need. Whatever you want let them know and they will make sure you have it. I know I haven't really been accommodating to you. So if you open your closet, you'll find some clothes you can wear instead of that gown. I hope this small gesture will show you that I do care.

I am sorry I caused you pain and suffering since we moved to the new place. I do love you. I look forward to seeing you soon. Maybe you'll actually let me cook dinner for you. Whatever you want my sweet, beautiful girl.

Love,

Steve

I smiled, placing the note back on my dresser. A simple note caused the doubt I felt toward Steve to disappear. I didn't think of all the bad, all I could focus on was the day Steve returned home to me.

"I DON'T CARE! STEVE ISN'T HERE! I WILL SEE HER IF I PLEASE," a voice echoed through the house, my bedroom door flying open seconds later.

Ann entered my room, looking extremely upset. She slowly walked toward me never taking her eyes off me. Her gaze drifted to Steve's note on my dresser. I went to reach for it, but Ann snatched it away first. I stepped back as Alec entered the room.

"Mrs. Kemp, please leave here. Mr. Kemp will not be happy that you bothered Ms. Y/L/N," he expressed, taking hold of Ann's wrist.

"Don't you dare touch me," Ann yelled, ripping away from Alec's grip.

"Ms. Y/L/N, please come with me," Alec insisted, reaching out to me.

"She's not going anywhere till the two of us have a little talk," Ann expressed, pushing me into the bathroom, and locking the door.

"MRS. KEMP!" Alec exclaimed, pounding on the locked door.

Ann smirked, "So you're the little girl that thinks she can steal my husband."

"I'm not trying to steal anything from anyone. Your husband..."

"I don't even want to hear what you have to say about my husband," she growled, getting into my face.

I peered down at the letter. "Maybe you need to read how your husband truly feels."

I took a seat on the edge of the tub, allowing Ann to take some time to read the letter in her hand. I watched her face display so many emotions in such a short amount of time. The woman balled up the letter, throwing it across the small room.

"What have you done to him?" Ann questioned, getting in my face, pulling me to my feet by my shoulders.

"I haven't done anything to him. No one makes Steve do anything he doesn't want to do. You should know that, I mean, you are married to that man, are you not?"

A hand struck my face, causing me to collapse to the floor. The bathroom door opened suddenly, Alec and a few guards busting into the room. I held my cheek, watching the men escort the woman from the room.

"GET OFF ME!" she screamed, struggling to get out of their grasp.

"Take her to the basement," Alec instructed before turning his attention to me. "Are you okay, Ms. Y/L/N?"

I nodded, allowing the man to help me to my feet. Alec examined my face, then escorted me into my room. Ms. White entered, gasping at my condition.

"Mr. Kemp is not going to be happy that Mrs. Kemp did this to her," the older woman expressed.

"He already knows what happened. I called him the moment Ann locked that door. He instructed me to place Mrs. Kemp in the basement," Alec informed, placing a cool cloth on my face.

"Is he going to kill her?" I asked Alec.

"Don't worry about that or anything that has to do with Mrs. Kemp. She knew what would happen to her if she defied her husband," Alec responded.

"Will that happen to me if I don't do what Steve wants?" I questioned, moving away from Alec and directing my attention to Ms. White.

"No, Mr. Kemp loves you," Ms. White insisted, escorting me into my closet to change for the day.

I pulled away from her, "No, he married that woman, and now she is going to become...what, his next meal."

"No, he won't do that to you," Ms. White expressed, taking my face in his hands.

"I'm sure that's what he said to Ann before marrying her," I expressed, tears falling from my eyes.

"Here," Alec expressed, handing me Steve's crumpled-up letter. "This is a promise that he won't hurt you. Or maybe you can believe Ms. White and me when we say, that you are different. In all the years we have worked for Mr. Kemp, he has never gone to so much trouble to keep you safe. He loves you," the man insisted, removing himself from the room.

"I'll go make some breakfast. You come out when you are ready," Ms. White said, leaving me alone.

I sobbed the minute I heard the door shut. I knew Steve cared, but how far would he go to prove it? I didn't want more people to die because of me. The thought of Ann dying because her husband was through with her didn't sit well with me. At the same time, I didn't want the woman to be anywhere near Steve. I hated the idea of Steve being with her or any woman. That very thought made me finally conclude, I couldn't wait to be able to express that.

A/N: Been ill so I haven't been up to posting.  Hope this chapter makes up for my absent.  I am already starting on the next chapter.  Leave comments on what you would maybe like to see.  Thank you for your patience with me.