Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 47~

~Raelyn~

~April 22nd~

When I woke up, the morning light was slicing through the window like a judgmental ex—harsh, unwelcome, and way too bright. My body ached in places I didn't even know had nerves. I tried to shift, but every inch of movement pulled something—my shoulder, my ribs, my thighs. Every bruise screamed louder than the last.

I didn't say anything at first. I couldn't.

The scent of coffee drifted in from the kitchen, but it didn't make me feel safe the way it usually did. Colby's arm was wrapped protectively around me on the couch, his body warm and tense. Sadie was snuggled against my legs, her ears twitching every time I breathed too sharply. My duck stuffed animal—Mr. Quackers, naturally—was tucked into my chest like a shield.

Colby stirred beside me. He blinked groggily, then immediately turned to me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. I felt his eyes on me before he even spoke.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said gently, brushing my hair back. "You okay?"

I nodded, but it wasn't convincing. I wasn't okay. But I was here. And somehow, that counted for something.

He exhaled slowly, then rested his forehead to mine. "I wanna talk to you about something," he murmured, voice soft like he was afraid of breaking me.

I looked at him—tired, bloodshot eyes and all—and nodded again.

"I was thinking... we should go to Kansas. Stay with my mom and Kalani for a while. Get you away from all this. At least for a few days."

The panic tightened in my chest at the idea of going anywhere, but he squeezed my hand before I could spiral.

"We'd drive," he assured me quickly. "No airports, no TSA lines, no weird men breathing on you in a crowded terminal. You'd be my passenger princess the whole way."

That made me huff out a breath. Not quite a laugh, but something close. My throat burned from the effort.

He took that as a win and kissed my knuckles. "I'll pack. You just rest. I got you."

I nodded one last time before pressing my face into his chest. "Okay," I whispered.

He held me for a minute longer, like he didn't want to let go.

~Colby~

While Rae stayed curled up on the couch—Sadie glued to her side and Mr. Quackers still clutched like a security pass—I headed to the bedroom to pack. Blake was in the other room with Jake and Corey, making up games to play with his stuffed animals and telling anyone who'd listen that he was going to see "Auntie Kalani and Grandma Lesa."

Blake. God, that kid kept me breathing.

I kept the bagging simple: Rae's comfiest clothes, the softest pajamas, oversized sweatshirts, and her fuzzy socks with the strawberries on them. I even found her old hairbrush—the one with the cracked handle that she refused to throw out—and stuffed it in. She hadn't said she wanted it, but she'd want it eventually.

When I finished folding her things, I stepped out into the hallway, took one long breath, and dialed.

Kalani answered on the third ring.

"Tell me you're bringing her here," she said immediately, voice sharp with concern.

"I'm packing up our stuff now. We'll be leaving in the next few hours."

There was a pause, then her voice softened just a little. "The guest room's ready. You can stay as long as you need. And Gigi already picked out toys for Blake."