His Shortcake

Chapter 20

Alec Ramirez

I woke to the steady patter of rain against the window, the sound soothing yet persistent. My eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light of the room, and I took in the unfamiliar surroundings before I felt a gentle squeeze on my hand. Glancing beside me, I saw Tamara sleeping soundly, her fingers wrapped tightly around mine. I brushed a strand of hair from her face and carefully tried to free my hand from her grip. She murmured softly and tightened her hold momentarily before relaxing and slipping back into deeper sleep.

The rain outside seemed to whisper its own lullaby, and I hoped it wouldn't grow any louder, dreading the possibility of it triggering one of Tamara's nightmares.

"I love you, baby girl," I whispered softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

With great care, I slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Tamara's peaceful rest. I tucked the blanket more snugly around her, ensuring she was warm and comfortable before quietly leaving the room.

As expected, Dy was waiting for me at the dining table. He sat with a box of pizza before him, his eyes fixed on me with a piercing, analytical gaze. I made my way over to him and took the seat next to him with a weary sigh.

Sleep had eluded me since yesterday. My mind churned with unanswered questions, unable to find peace until I uncovered who had leaked the details of Mara and Dy's trip to the media. I couldn't bring myself to trust that Mara was safe at home with Dy. The fear of the rug being pulled out from under me kept me on edge.

The thought of seeing Mara in distress again was unbearable. I couldn't shake the images of her fearful eyes, her instinctive flinches at raised hands, and her growing suspicion of everyone around her. The memory of her trembling in fear whenever someone touched her without permission haunted me. It was a pain I couldn't endure again.

I couldn't bear the thought of watching Mara break down again, of seeing her cry and beg for rescue even when I was right there beside her. The prospect of enduring such pain was something I hoped to avoid by acting swiftly and preventing anyone from triggering such reactions in her.

Dustyn's voice jolted me from my thoughts. "You okay?" His question hung in the air, and I felt his gaze on me, though I kept my eyes averted. If anyone could read me, it was Dustyn. He had a knack for deciphering my emotions, and I wasn't ready to reveal what I was feeling.

"I guess," I replied, staring blankly at the box of pizza in front of me. Despite my growling hunger, the sight of the food did nothing to tempt me. "Can I have some water?"

Without a word, Dustyn stood up and fetched a glass of water, returning it to me with a quiet efficiency. "Thanks, man," I murmured, taking a sip and trying to focus on something other than my racing thoughts.

"I heard about Amelia. Does Jack know?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

I sagged back against the chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion and doubt press down on me. My gaze was fixed on the window, where the rain pounded harder with each passing second. The steady rhythm of the raindrops was a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. The question of whether Dad knew about Amelia's actions loomed heavily in my thoughts. His history of siding with Amelia made me wonder if he might have already been informed, or worse, if he would dismiss my concerns outright.

"I haven't told him yet. I think... I think Dad might not believe me," I admitted, my voice tinged with frustration and fear.

Dustyn's response was immediate and firm. "He will. Jack will believe you, no matter what."

His conviction was almost reassuring, but I couldn't share his certainty. How could he be so sure? The cracks in my trust were wide and deep.

I had entrusted Dad with Mara's well-being while I was away at university, believing he would care for her as Mom had wished. I had hoped he would be a steadfast protector, even with Amelia in the picture. Despite my reservations about Amelia, I expected Dad to put Mara's safety first, to stand by her against any threat.