Chapter 35

Damien POV

I’ve just gotten home and it’s still dark inside, none of the lights having been turned on. I swear and turn on the

kitchen light and go looking for Winter. The least she could have done is light up the house, especially since I can see

rainclouds gathering and it’s so dark inside the house that it’s difficult to see clearly. But when I go upstairs there’s no sign of her. Perhaps she’s in the bathroom, I think, and go and check. Then I checked each room methodically, calling out her name. There’s no sign of her anywhere and I feel dread rise from the pit of my stomach. Something is wrong, I just know it.

“S**t” | swear. So she hadn’t walked home by herself after all, like I had assumed. What had happened then? |

don’t know why, but I begin to search her room, in case she’s left some sort of sign about where she might have gone. I don’t think Jessica and her cronies would have the guts to do anything to Winter, especially against Johnathon’s

wishes. I also know sometimes she likes to be alone. I’m not sure where, but every so often she’d slip out and come

back hours later, a small smile on her face. Like her own personal haven that only she knew about. Her own little

sanctuary, away from father and me.

I rifle through her desk and that’s when I see the envelope, with my name written on it in neat cursive writing.

My hand is shaking as I pull it out and I quickly rip the envelope open as I sit down on her bed. It’s a letter addressed to me and, with my heart in my throat, I begin to read it.

Dear Damien

I planned to do and left. It’s nothing against you, but I can’t bear the thought of

afraid, every day Damien. Initially, it was because it was either you or father taking your frustrations out on me, always looking over my shoulder, wondering which of you is going to hit me next, what would I do to upset you. It became the norm when it’s anything but normal. You were my family and you both treated me like garbage. Instead of the daughter and sister that

me. I’m never safe, not even at school.

school.

for being such a coward and not telling you, but I was afraid you would

I need to do this, Damien. I’ve wanted to leave ever since Johnathon rejected me straight away. I’m

live here, or even love. I want what mother and father had before she

were always affectionate in front of us.

a happy family instead

my brother. But I want a life for myself. I want to live in a pack that cares about me

free, Damien. While / stay here, it’s like I’m stuck in a cage, unable to be free and unable to

losing my voice permanently has made things harder for both of us, but I’m willing

need to be fixed, all I needed was the

and I’m

me a favour. Take care of yourself and don’t worry about me. Don’t go

me live again.

this time and travel, be

I want for once instead of people choosing for me. I need to

of Thomas and what happened. I can’t

m

nasd

I hope one day you’ll forgive me for leaving you like this. But I couldn’t bear to

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