Page 5

It’s exactly what I thought. Donovan has his eyes on Raine. His actions in the garden were unlike his normal demeanor. He has never been that way with a woman, not from what I have seen at least. He’s a total prick normally, barely even nice to anyone. Did he decide to shine up his halo suddenly? Either way, he can’t fucking have her! Whatever that was, it can’t happen again. She is mine, only mine. His family has taken enough from me. He can’t have Raine as well. Not if I can help it. I have attempted for years to get close to the Archer family. Somehow, I keep failing. Donovan is my last hope.

Silence fills the car journey home, the same way it did on the way to the funeral. There is clearly something bothering Raine. I’m still wondering if she heard me earlier in the bedroom. Is that why she’s so quiet? Or is it something or someone else that's on her mind? I need to know what happened in the garden.

As soon as we arrive back at the house, her parents say goodnight and go inside. Grabbing her attention, I motion for us both to sit on the large porch swing. She looks at me with uncertainty as she follows my direction. “You’ve been really quiet today, is everything alright with you?” I’m trying my hardest to put on my sweetest voice.

“Mm, yes, I think so.” She says, not looking at me. I ask her again, but she still doesn’t look at me, and it's starting to piss me off.

I roughly grab her chin and force her face up, not really caring if I hurt her or not. Staring straight into her eyes I ask again, “Raine, what the fuck is the matter with you? I can tell something is bothering you and it’s starting to bother me.”

“It's nothing. It has just been a really weird day, that's all,” she mumbles.

“Strange how? Does it have anything to do with the man you were cuddling in the garden?” I ask, trying to keep myself calm.

“I was not cuddling him. It was...it was just an accident, but why would that concern you?”

“Really, how the fuck do you cuddle someone by accident?” I growl, my anger seeping through before I can stop it. Retreating backwards with tear filled eyes, she ignores my question. “What did he say to you, Raine?” I search her face for answers, waiting for her response.

“Nothing much, he barely spoke, why?” She finally answers. I bite back a strong desire to strike her right in the face. She’s really pissing me off with these answers.

“Did he say anything at all to you?” I ask, breathing deeply to remain calm.

“No, nothing! I just told you! Why is this bothering you so much? Who I talk to has never bothered you before. Why are you suddenly so interested?” She yells, storming off, not looking back as she leaves.

She heads straight upstairs and right to her room. There is something there, I can feel it. But what? I’m unsure. I need to stop whatever it is. I have something I can try, and I have no doubt that it will work, it has to.