Mother's True Love.

The Calm Before The Storm

Emily stirred awake, her body heavy with exhaustion but her mind still racing from the night before. She blinked slowly, her eyes focusing on Alex, who was asleep beside her on the small couch in the cozy cabin. His breathing was steady and peaceful—he looked so at ease. She let her gaze linger on his face for a moment, almost envying the calmness he exuded.

She knew, though, that the moment she touched him, he'd wake. He always did, no matter how careful she was. His sense of her had become so attuned, as if he was always on standby, ready to jump in and help the moment she needed it. But she didn't want to disturb him yet. Not now. He deserved a few more minutes of peace.

Emily quietly slipped out from under the blanket and padded across the small wooden floor of the cabin, the chill of the morning air nipping at her skin. The cabin was still, the only sound being the occasional creak of the old wood settling. She made her way to the tiny kitchen area, which was stocked with the bare essentials.

Reaching up to the top shelf, she pulled down a can of luncheon meat, a pack of frozen peas, and a stick of butter. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to keep them going for the day ahead. The day that would change everything.

As she worked quietly, slicing, sautéing, and frying over the small stovetop, the smell of sizzling butter filled the air, mixing with the scent of pine from outside. Her mind wandered back to Jules. What would Jules have eaten if she were still here? Maybe they'd be sitting together at a table, laughing, sharing a meal, talking about nothing important. She tried to shake the thoughts away, but they lingered. Jules never had that chance, and that reality clawed at her heart.

Once the food was ready, Emily made her way back to where Alex lay. She knelt beside him, gently brushing his shoulder. "Alex... time to wake up," she whispered.

Alex stirred, eyes fluttering open, but instead of immediately sitting up, he did something Emily didn't expect. He pulled her into his arms. She felt his warmth, his heartbeat, the strength in his hug. For a moment, the world felt safe. She allowed herself to sink into it, just for a second, feeling like someone was finally standing guard for her. The comfort was intoxicating, yet the weight in her chest reminded her of the darkness lurking just beneath the surface.

But she quickly pulled back, trying to shake off the guilt. Jules never had this. Jules had suffered alone. The thought made her heart ache. She needed to focus. This wasn't about her.

"Alex, breakfast is ready," she said softly, and he woke up more fully this time, looking a little disoriented but smiling awkwardly.

"Sorry, I, uh—must've still been half-asleep," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"It's okay," she replied, trying to keep her tone light, though inside, the heaviness remained.

They sat down at the small table in the corner, the morning light streaming through the window, illuminating the rustic charm of the cabin. They ate in a quiet understanding, the weight of the day ahead pressing on them. After breakfast, they began preparing for what came next: going to Bob's house.

They couldn't afford to mess this up. Confronting Linda too early could ruin everything, could let her walk away untouched. They needed Bob's advice on how to gather evidence, how to handle this the right way. Jules deserved justice. She deserved peace, Emily thought, her heart aching for her sister.

As they packed up and readied themselves to leave, Emily felt a mix of dread and determination. Today had to go smoothly. They had to stay calm, stay hidden, and make sure no one—especially Linda—knew what they were doing. Jules may have been gone, but Emily was here to make sure the truth didn't disappear with her.

This wasn't just for Jules anymore. It was for all the years lost, for every piece of her life that had been taken away. Justice was long overdue, and no matter how late it was, Emily was going to make sure Jules got what she deserved.