Artem woke up in the guest room of Sharna's childhood home, where they stayed the first few nights in Australia, and leaned over to kiss Sharna. A quick panic washed over him as he realized she wasn't there. He quickly threw off the covers and started into the hallway. Artem's search quickly came to a halt when he heard sniffling from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Sharna?"
Her whole body tensed up as if she'd been burned when she heard his voice. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry." Sharna tried to compose herself.
Artem shook the doorknob. Locked. "Babe, let me in."
"I'll be back in a minute, just go back to bed, please." She begged.
"No, Babe. I won't leave until you open the door." He shook the doorknob again.
Sharna sighed and turned the lock. "There." She said just loud enough for him to hear."
Artem opened the door and found Sharna sitting on the bathroom tile in tears. "Oh my gosh, Princess, what happened?"
Her phone was laying on the ground, screen still glowing. Artem glanced down and saw an incredibly harsh headline accompanied with pictures of the two and their family in Australia. "My God." He whispered.
Sharna's glassy blue eyes met Artem's eyes as she looked down. "And Peta needs me to come back to the U.S. she said like today."
"Why?" Artem suddenly started thinking of anything imaginable that could be wrong.
"She wouldn't tell me! I don't know!"
"You have to go, Baby." Artem explained.
Sharna nodded.
Within an hour, they had Sharna packed, with flight tickets, and at the airport. "I'll be back in a week, Ar." She kissed him.
"Stay safe, Love." He waved as she boarded.
Artem got back into the car and drove back to the Burgess' home. He got home and saw that Sharna's mom and given both babies an ice cream cone. He chuckled at the sight of the kids with chocolate all over their faces, he snapped a picture for Instagram.
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With the caption "Don't tell mommy!💕"
Artem laughed once more before Mrs. Burgess pulled him aside. The children were still in their sightlines, though.
"Hey, I'm worried about Sharna, and she's just being a stubborn little thing right now. Can you tell me anything that's bothering her? I just want to keep her safe and okay."
Artem nodded at the request. "Actually, yeah, some things have been going on in the press recently..."
