Another Chance

Chapter 41

ANNA'S POV

I wanted to ask about my Father and his whereabouts as we made our way back into the house, but I was feeling overwhelmed from my talk with Amelia. Adrenaline was pumping through my veins and I was frightened to see him after everything he had done to both my Mother and I.

I continued to glance down at Jared, and I knew that he knew the question was on my mind. But luckily, he didn't say anything. I just wanted to see my Mother and soak in the fact that we were safe. We had so much lost time to make up for and I couldn't wait to finally be with her without worrying that my Father was searching for us.

As soon as we stepped through the door, Sophia bounced up to me, wrapping her tiny and thin arms around my legs. She snuggled into me, and I crouched down, cupping her head and stroking her hair down.

"I'm happy that you're back," she whispered to me. She smiled, and I knew that she didn't understand the severity of what had happened. It wasn't fair to explain it all to her when it would most likely traumatise her.

"Sophia, give Anna some space," Clara spoke from the couch, bouncing Sonny up and down on her knee, flashing me a smile.

"It's okay," I told her, sighing when Sophia laughed and clambered up onto Jared's lap, leaving him rolling his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for her. As much as he loved her, I could tell that he really just wanted to make that I was okay before anything.

I was physically okay. Mentally, I wasn't quite there, but seeing my Mother would help begin the healing process. I needed to know that she was okay.

"Can you please show me which room my Mother is staying in?" I asked Dylan quietly, smiling sadly at Jared. There was no lift in this house and he wasn't able to get up the stairs.

Jared squeezed my hand and pressed my knuckle to his lips before Dylan gestured for me to lead the way. I followed him, moving my legs slowly as I climbed up the stairs. I was still sore and I had to move slowly.

"She's just behind here," Dylan mumbled quietly, nodding towards a door on the right of the landing. "By the sound of her breathing, she's still asleep, but of course you're welcome to go in and sit with her. When she wakes, we want to get a Doctor to check her over."

"Thank you," I said as I watched Dylan disappear down the stairs, leaving me breathing heavily as I pushed the door open gently. I peered in, immediately spotting my Mother sleeping soundly in the large double bed. I padded over to her, my eyes filling with tears as I settled down on the side of the bed, cocking my head as I admired her.

Her blonde hair was dull and lacked shine, and her once tanned skin was now pale and lifeless, as well as being scattered with bruises. She appeared as if she had given up, and I could tell that all of the stress of fleeing from my Father had caught up to her. I just hoped that when she awoke, she would want to stay with me. I wanted my Mother in my life. I needed her. She was the only blood family I had left.

"Mother," I whispered, pushing away a strand of her hair from her eye. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. It's not fair, but I promise that I'm going to do whatever I can to keep you safe. We all will."

I sobbed, my words coming out almost incoherent, and I knew that everyone downstairs could probably hear me, their hearing magnified. It was probably freaking Jared out, and I felt guilty for crying considering he couldn't come upstairs to comfort me. I needed to be alone though. I needed this time with my Mother. Crying was a good thing- it wasn't weak of me. My Mother had always told me that.

"I know you're sleeping, but I just need to talk to you. I need my Mother," I cried, burying my face into my hands and shaking my head, managing to keep my voice and crying quiet. I didn't want to wake her up when I knew she needed to rest.