Doubts - Regretful ex-Fiancé

Chapter 22 | ✓

-Jonathan-

Looking at the stars from a chair on my house's porch, I reflected on how joyful I was after months of living in utter pain and despair. Neither the shotgun on my lap nor the silence of the night disturbed me since I was prepared to battle if someone dared to enter my home, where my woman slept in the upstairs bedroom.

For the first time, my skin wasn't itching, and my heart wasn't racing. My imagination was no longer imagining a thousand-and-one alternative, including Isabella sleeping with other guys and forgetting about me forever. I was finally at peace after 8 months.

Was it still possible that someone would try to break into this house? Yes. But woe be to anyone who tried... I smiled at the concept. In the past, I had no reason to use my guns or security system. What about now? Now... may God forgive the souls of those who attempted to enter my house uninvited, because I will not forgive them. I haven't waited eight months for this woman to be killed by some sick, deranged guy.

After we arrived home from the police, I made my woman a basic dinner and persuaded her to take some aspirin and drink some chamomile tea. She eventually fell asleep on the couch, with her head resting on my lap and her hand gripping mine.

I lay there, savoring the warmth of her body, her peaceful breathing, and the sighs she made while asleep. I loved these small sounds.

I didn't dare to move, but after three hours, the sound of cars passing by jolted her awake, and she sat up blinking like a puzzled little owl. "It's fine, sweetheart. This is Mason." I replied by moving her hair away from her face."Why don't you wait upstairs? I'll bring your things in." I had asked Mason to bring the coffee machine and the majority of her clothing. He stated Mrs. Ruth, a friend who had helped Isabella through a difficult time in our lives, would help put everything up. Mason stepped out of the car with a sad expression.

We brought Isabella's suitcases and boxes into the house.

"I'm listening," I said after placing the last box on the ground. I could tell he had something to say by the look on his face.

"Isabella's sister is dead." Damn heck. I ran a hand over my face, wondering if this would make my woman upset. I knew she did not have a relationship with her sister. But... family was family, and I was apprehensive about how this would affect her. "She was discovered almost at the same moment you were attacked. They are attempting to remove all evidence of the discovery of their activity. I don't know why they assume Isabella is involved. The man you left alive has not said anything yet, but we are optimistic that we will learn something. Stay alert, set your alarm, and purchase the dogs from the kennel I recommended to you."

I shook his hand, and he was gone within minutes. I couldn't hide that information from Isabella, so I climbed the stairs to the second floor. There, I found her lying on the bed in the master bedroom-the one I had chosen for her-watching a program.

As soon as I entered the room, she sat up with a distressed expression. "What's wrong?" My face must have revealed my feelings, and I sighed in frustration at yet another piece of bad news. This sister had caused me more trouble than I cared to think about.

"Mason brought me some news," I said, kneeling in front of her and looking into her eyes. "Your sister... she... they found her dead today. I'm so sorry."

Her lips parted in a frightened gasp as if she were about to scream, but she closed them almost immediately, staring at me in shock.

"She's dead? Lilian...?" she asked breathlessly. I nodded and took her hands in mine.

"I'm sorry, my love. I'm so sorry," I told her, trying to offer comfort. Tears filled her eyes and began to stream down her anguished face.

"S-she never wanted help. N-never... n-never..." I suddenly stood up, pulled her with me, and laid down on the bed with her resting on my chest. "W-why?! W-why did it have to be like this?" she cried quietly, and I felt her pain deep in my gut. I didn't know what it was like to have a brother who committed crimes, who did unspeakable things, and who was killed like an animal in prison. I felt it was best not to go into the details of how it happened with her.