His Ruthless Revenge (A Dark Bully Romance)

Chapter Fifty-Four

April

One hour earlier...

The cabin is eerily silent now that mum's left and I can't wait for Chase to get back home. He's only been gone a few days but it feels like a lifetime and the seperation has reminded me that I never want to be apart from him again. Ever.

Everything feels so much calmer now and I inhale deeply, seeking comfort from the fact that I can breathe easy for the first time in years.
The reality is there's no more lies or secrets being witheld from my mum now and Chase and I have both sworn to be completely honest with one another from now on. There won't be any cracks in our relationship and our united transparency will prevent anyone from trying to come between us again.

Especially Louise.

She tried her best to split us up but it didn't work. We've managed to survive whatever life has thrown at us and knowing that I never have to struggle by myself again or carry the weight of my heartache alone is indescribable as well as peaceful.

I'm making my way downstairs after a short nap when I realise I've left my phone on the bed upstairs. Sighing deeply, I spin around so I can race back up and get it. My feet have barely made it to the top step when a noise stops me in my tracks.
"Chase?" I call out eagerly, wondering if he's somehow snuck in while I was asleep in an attempt to surprise me. "Chase, you better not jump out at me while I'm on the stairs." I warn him unsteadily, trepidation forcing me to stay exactly where I am. Frozen.
The fact that it's so late at night makes me realise that Chase wouldnt play a prank on me like this. He knows my boundaries and frightening me while I'm in alone in the woods is definitely one of them.
The only reply I get is silence. Complete and utter silence which is enough to convince me that my imagination has gone a little stir crazy and I've probably spent too much time by myself lately.
I end up finding my phone exactly where I left it and decide to phone Chase, hoping to find out how much longer he'll be and ease some of my anxiety. However, a creaky floorboard stops me in my tracks again and I hold my breath, my thumb hovering above the screen on my phone as I remain absolutely still.
I know I didn't imagine a noise this time. Jesus, could someone have broke in without me hearing anything? What if I was sleeping so deeply that I didn't even hear an intruder fiddling with the latch or breaking a small window to get in here?
What do I do?! I scream internally, spinning around so my eyes can search for something to grab hold of. Anything that can be used as a weapon or something to defend myself with. 
The only thing my eyes land on is a bedside lamp and I swiftly unplug it before curling my fingers around it tightly.
I can do this... I tell myself, repeating the same mantra over and over again. Everything will be ok.
"Hello?" I call out again, timidly leaving the bedroom as I enter the hallway.

More silence.

I really don't want to go downstairs and explore by myself so peep my head over the bannister, squinting in the darkness because I'm too scared to turn the light on yet.
My heart is racing and I can barely swallow but my fear is starting to disipate. There's no one here I tell myself, shaking my head slightly. There's nothing to be frightened of.
"Hello, April."
I gasp loudly and suppress a scream as I whirl around, my eyes widening when they see who is staring back at me.

My father.

"D-dad?" I stammer incoherently, pressing my back up against the bannister behind me.
"Hello, Sweetheart." He replies gruffly, an underlying warmth behind his baritone voice. "Did you miss me?"