How Living with the Bad Boy Saved My Life

Chapter Twenty Nine

It had been twenty minutes of silence of simply staring at the letter I held in my hands. The first emotion that ran through me was shock - shock that Hunter had actually provided me with a reason to him leaving. I was not shocked that my dad was involved, if anything, I should have suspected this in the first place but my emotions were running so high when Hunter left that I didn't give myself enough time to think up possible reasons for him leaving. Now though, I had all the evidence right in front of me. It was true. Hunter left to protect me.

Truthfully, I was not sure how to feel. One part of me knew that it was a selfless thing to do, putting my own safety in front of his own. The other part of me thought he was being stupid as I knew my dad would never stick to his word. But Hunter didn't know that, I had to remind myself.

"It was all my dad" I said to Savannagh who was looking at me expectantly waiting on an explanation.

"Well, of course! That much was obvious" she shrugged. "Can I read it?" she asked but she was holding out her hand already to accept the letter. I sighed and without a word, handed it to her.

I waited expectantly as she took in its contents, absorbing each word, word for word. After a few minutes she handed me the letter back and smiled sadly at me. "Have either of you tried to contact the other since he left?" she questioned.

"No" I shook my head.

"You need to get in touch with him. He has been threatened by your dad - you can use this in your trial. If anything, this helps prove your dad's guilt! Honestly, Harper, Hunter is stupid for actually leaving. What he should have done is stay here, go to the police with all the evidence of each and every threat including the threat to hurt you and your mum and threatening Mr Blake to sell his half of the business" she stated.

I nodded my head in agreement, "I bet he is probably realising the same thing now."

"Probably but he acted out of love. He was worried what was going to happen to you so he did the first thing he thought would keep you safe. Call him now" she suggested.

I looked at her worriedly but she shot me an encouraging look as I pulled my phone out and dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail rather than ringing a few times. I felt embarrassed and disappointed for thinking he would pick up the minute he saw my name.

"Maybe your dad has told him not to contact you either" Savannagh suggested.

"Maybe" I mused.

"Try later again but don't give up until you here from him. You need to convince him to come back here to help out in your trial. Your dad will probably try and use Hunter and Mr Blake leaving against you in the trial. I really think he will try and spin it that way so it is so much better for you if you get them both back here to support you" she said sympathetically.

"You're right, Sav. Thank you so much for being here through everything, I really don't know what I would do without you" I whispered.

"You don't ever have to thank me for being a real friend" she smiled.

"I know but I am putting everyone through so much stress and the day my dad was shot, you were put through an ordeal too but we haven't really spoken about it. So, I'm just letting you know if you want to speak about it, I'm here."

"You have been through so much and what I went through that day was minimal compared to your experiences the past few years" she sighed.

"Sav, don't be ridiculous! Do not measure your paint that way. Just because you think someones experiences or problems weigh more than yours does not mean they are heavier. I could break my arm and you could have a broken heart - our pain is different pain but that does not mean it hurts any less. Never underestimate your own pain and suffering just cause you have been taught 'someone else always has it worse.' Yes, that is true but you are entitled to feel pain. Just because you think I've been through worse literally doesn't take away from your physical pain."

"This is why I love you" she replied throwing her arms around me in a hug.

I smiled, "I just hate the thought of you thinking you can't share things with me because you think my experiences lessen your pain when they don't."

"I mean not much happened other than your dads friend getting a bit too handsy with me and being really aggressive. I think he was about to try and do something but Jake was there in time" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Sav, that's awful! I know you're talking down your experience because you're afraid of accepting what really happened that day but I am here for you. It was sexual assault, Sav, and I know you're probably going to find it hard to come to terms with that but you have people around you that love you and are here for you to help you get through it."

"But how could it be sexual assault of he didn't actually get to do anything?" She mused worriedly.

"He touched you without your consent didn't he?" She nodded. "He tried to take advantage you didn't he?" I pressed to which she nodded again. "Fuck, Sav, I'm so sorry. I should have never let you around those bastards this is all my fault" I said guiltily.

She shook her head profoundly, "Do not blame yourself! We cannot blame others for the actions of abusers. We need to stick together and be strong, standing up to those bastards."

"We'll get them both, Sav. My dad is going to go down for a very long time and so will all of his fucking friends" I seethed. "Did you report what happened the day it happened?" I asked.

She nodded and bit her lip, "I was too afraid to speak about it with you as it made it more real but I'm glad I told the police the day it happened."

"Selfishly, me too" I admitted.

"It's not selfish at all! It's going to help your dad go down and the bastard that tried to hurt me will hopefully go down." Savannagh said grabbing my hand and squeezing it tightly.

Suddenly, my phone started to ring. Savannagh lifted it before I had the chance to and stared at it with her mouth wide open. She handed it to me in a swift motion. "It's Hunter!" She exclaimed excitedly.